What has a rich gold hue and can cost in the triple figures? No, not Champagne. I’m talking extra virgin olive oil (a.k.a EVOO)
Now a staple on practically every kitchen counter from Cornwall to the Cairngorms, the UK is projected to consume - gulp - 65,000 metric tons by 2026, according to market reporter ReportLinker.
Analysts say we Brits devour around a litre a year per person, but that's not a patch on Mediterranean countries like Spain, Italy and Greece, where Europe’s finest extra virgin olive oils are harvested and produced. There, the average consumption is a whopping 13 litres per adult. It’s no coincidence these nations have among the highest life expectancy rates on the Continent.
Cooking shows, online chefs and improved knowledge about the golden elixir's many health benefits are some of the reasons why we're so wild about the liquid gold.
Adding extra virgin olive oil to your daily diet can improve the flavour of some foods, improve digestion and lower cholesterol thanks to all the antioxidants and monounsaturated fats it contains. Many claim it helps their weight loss efforts, leaving them feeling satisfied for longer.
EVOO sings in salad dressings like vinaigrettes or as a dip for warm hunks of bread. Drizzle it over pizza crusts or pots of hummus, or brush some over the premium cuts you're about to throw on the barbecue. Some folk even swear by downing a spoonful of the stuff every morning to get their daily dose ticked off first thing.
What does cold-pressing olive oil mean?
Cold-pressed is the only option when it comes to EVOO. It means the oil from the fruit (the olive) is extracted at temperatures lower than 27°C, preserving the goodness, flavour and aroma to ensure customers are getting the best bang for their buck.
As for 'extra virgin'? Well, this means that oil has come from the initial olive pressing, so the liquid contains the lowest possible acidity. All combine for a smooth, rich flavour that you'll want to smother over just about everything in your kitchen cupboards.
You need only walk down a supermarket aisle to know there’s a flummoxing array of choice on offer. If you’re seeking the best EVOO for your Sterling, for gifting or guzzling all to yourself, we’ve rounded up the best bottles around.
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GONNELLI 1585 Laudemio Extra Virgin Olive Oil 500ml
The EVOO to end all EVOOs, this artisan oil uses fruit harvested from Tuscany before being pressed by age-old methods. Once ready, the oil is carefully decanted into these handsome square bottles - perfect for showing off on a dinner party table, wouldn’t you agree? It’s delivered with a cork and scrolled certificate to guarantee its authenticity. In many circles, this is as good as olive oil gets.
Buy now £68.99, Selfridges
Venta del Barón Extra Virgin Cold Pressed
Until quite recently, fat was a dirty word in food. Thankfully, there’s now more understanding about healthy fats and their health benefits.
With a gentle peppery spice, Venta del Barón's cold-pressed EVOO is best used lightly in dishes like an omelette or drizzled over homemade hummus to give it a sharper edge.
As for the pretty bottle? Well, what party host wouldn’t love to recieve this?
Buy now £24.80, Amazon
Nicolas Alziari Olemt Olive Oil Extra Virgin
Now, here's a tin you'll want to keep in view when friends pop over. Made in France, Nicolas Alziari's EVOO is presented as beautifully as its contents taste.
Olives are cold-pressed in a stone mill to safeguard the delicate flavour before being filled in these pretty tins and sent off to retailers around the world.
Fruity, nutty and sweet, it's a great offering to take to a dinner party or keep for yourself to enjoy with fresh-baked bread.
Buy now £34.95, Amazon
GOOD PHATS Organic Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil
I have the spray bottle version of this oil, but if you're looking for something with more drizzling ability, the 500ml bottle is the one for you.
The cold-pressed organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made for dressing salads or drizzling over a freshly made pan con tomate. You can even use it for gentle cooking. I'm not the only one in its fan club: one reviewer commented, "this is a good quality oil and a great way to get some healthy fats into our diet.”
Buy now £16.95, Amazon
Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Special Selection Olive Oil 500ml
A towering name in the wonderful world of EVOO, Italy's Filippo Berio needs no introduction - at least, not to foodies.
The brand is one of the best-rated olive oil producers, with this EVOO as much of a status symbol as a Kitchenaid on the counter or Sonos sound system in the lounge. Smooth and complex, the oil has a light flavour that makes it ideal for dipping and dressing.
If you wish to cook with it, the good news is that you only need a little to get things nicely sizzling.
Buy now £5.00, Amazon
Kleos Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1L
Greece takes the premium olive oil stage thanks to domestic producer Kleos. The one-litre tin houses oil that has been cold-pressed from Koroneiki olives from Messinia, a scenic region close to Kalamata on the mainland. Extraction is performed at low temperatures to preserve the fruit's natural antioxidants and fragrance.
As such, it's the perfect finish to a bowl of Greek olives or a fat square of feta. If you're planning a Med-inspired spread, your table isn't complete without it.
Buy now £11.90, Amazon
The Olive Oil Guy Olive Oil Extra Virgin
Like fine wine, a good bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be the subject of much snobbery. Not so with The Olive Oil Guy's take on the premium condiment.
The brand serves up its cold-pressed elixir, made with early-harvested Greek olives, is this fun bottle, making it feel friendlier to the masses. Expect rich flavour with a little peppery spice made for livening up summer BBQs.
Buy now £15.99, Amazon
Frantoio Muraglia, Rainbow Ceramic Jar with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Frantoio Muraglia does its fabulous EVOO justice with help from fellow Puglian company Ceramic Orci; its oils come housed in the latter's ceramic jars.
The oil comes from two kinds of olives distinctive to the region - Coratina and Peranzana - with 12 oils in the range, demonstrating their diverse flavour offering. The rainbow jar holds an intense and fruity version.
Aside from adding a splash of colour to your countertops, the ceramic jar shields the oil from sunlight, protecting its flavour.
Buy now £25.20, Amazon
Farchioni Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil Tin Can
Whether you like the slightly industrial aesthetic of a tin or want to buy in bulk to decant into your favourite bottles for the table, Farchioni offers premium oil at a cracking price.
You'll get a litre of cold-pressed EVOO in this purchase, ready to use the fruity and peppery oil in every dish coming out of your kitchen. The balanced oil works well in sauces or brushed over meats before they head into the grill.
Buy now £14.49, Amazon
TruffleHunter White Truffle Oil Extra Virgin Olive Oil 100ml
Want to double down on luxury store cupboard kudos? The TruffleHunter has you covered with its premium oil infused with the rich, earthy taste of white truffle.
Go to town on plates of pizza, pasta, risotto, bruschetta and more - just remember a little goes a long way, so no need to pour liberally.
Buy now £9.95, Amazon
