I use extra virgin olive oil for some cooking - where taste matters, but never knew what to look for.
Several years back, we did a taste test of brands and styles found in my grocery, and settled on one that was good, but they no longer stock it. Now I need to look for a new one but still have no idea what to look for, so what do you look for?
I used “Philipo Berio” brand robusto. I don’t know if that’s considered good but it tastes good to me and has a reasonable price. My grocery still carries the brand but not robusto and the other styles don’t have as much flavor.
Apparently robusto is not a thing, since no other brand uses that nomenclature, so what can I look for to find one with a strong flavor? How can I find a “good” brand without spending a lot? Is there a price sweet spot, like with wine?
Buying olive oil is tough, the industry is rife with oils that don’t contain what they say they are. Look for where it was Made in (not Imported from) and check for a bottling date to make sure you aren’t getting old oil.
See if you have an olive oil store in your area, these places buy in bulk and then bottle it for you so you should have the chance to taste the options. A specialty food store would also be an option, they are at least likely to know their product and can guide you to a choice that fits your preference.