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Once thought of only as a cooking fat, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has been called ‘liquid gold’ as its price has skyrocketed. In fact, the price of a 500ml bottle has increased by a staggering 110 per cent between January 2021 and November 2024, from £3.54 to £7.45, and for the most premium EVOO it can cost up to £18 per litre.
EVOO is best olive oil Available. It is made by crushing olives using the cold-pressed method, which ensures the process does not use heat above 27C. Olives are also pressed within a maximum time frame of 72 hours after harvest, to ensure freshness as well as retain as much nutrients and flavor as possible.
To qualify, it could not be altered at all. Like LiquorIt is an expression of where it is grown and varies in aroma and flavor. However, it does not age well and is best used within two years of its harvest date. To keep your oil from spoiling from sunlight, look for bottles that are colored (it should still be stored in a cool, dark place), rather than clear. It’s best to avoid larger bottles unless you can get a lot of it quickly.
In addition to being a quality product, EVOO is also very good for you. It contains high amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids (a healthy fat found in olive oil, avocado, and some nuts), and studies Show that it is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and other diseases. It also contains high amounts of polyphenols, a compound rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
But like many food essentials, the price of olive oil is also increasing. So, I made it my mission to find the best supermarket olive oil worth buying.
how i tested
I tested 15 bottles of extra virgin olive oil from supermarkets to narrow it down to the best seven. To do this, I poured the oil into a glass following the traditional method of tasting, heated it with my hands, tapped my hand on top and then took a big sniff, then a sip. Like wine, it is placed in the front of the mouth, and then you draw air into your mouth so that the oil reaches the back of your mouth as well. But I also tried each one by dipping bread in it. As well as taste and aroma, I also considered versatility and value for money. I also paid attention to the quality and whether they had PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status (they have a very specific taste due to the region in which they are made).
Why can you trust IndyBest reviews?
emma henderson Is fond of food. She was also the editor of IndyEats, The Independent’’s monthly digital food magazine, and was twice shortlisted for “Best Food Magazine” at the Guild of Food Writers Awards. She’s sampled everything from Michelin-recommended menus to the best supermarket sours, so she knows what’s worth the splurge. Emma has previously written a detailed review of best olive oilHighlighting premium producers and well-known brands. For this guide, she had to sniff, drink and taste every bottle she walked through supermarket shelves – all in the name of journalism.
The best supermarket olive oils for 2025 are:
- overall best – Asda Extra Special Greek Koroniki Extra Virgin Olive Oil: £7, asda.com
- best budget oil – Aldi Specially Selected PDO Castell del Monte Extra Virgin Olive Oil: aldi.co.uk
- best luxury olive oil – Waitrose No 1. Valli Trapanesi Extra Virgin Olive Oil: £14.50, waitrose.com