Ranking of the best olive oils for 2022

For the inhabitants of Russia, the use of olive oil is a new process, few have yet figured out its beneficial properties. It is used not only for food, but also for cosmetic purposes (for hair and face). Therefore, when choosing a product, it is important to understand the quality criteria and properties of a particular type of oil. In the article, we will consider the best oils for the price, depending on the variety of olives and the method of production, novelties and popular models on the market, as well as recommendations for choosing.

Description

Olive vegetable oil contains many useful trace elements and vitamins, so it is becoming more in demand in the world. Its functionality is quite extensive, and the scope is growing every day. The beneficial properties of this product have long been known both in dietetics and in cosmetology. Even at home, the features of this product will benefit the body.

The oil is produced from the fruits of the olive, the taste and aroma depends on the variety of the olive tree. The most valuable varieties grow in Italy, Spain and Greece.

Production

First cold pressing. The highest class of production. It is obtained by the work of granite millstones and a hydraulic press. Moreover, the temperature should not be lower than 27 degrees.
Cold pressed. It is produced using modern technologies, through filtering (percolation) and running through a centrifuge, the temperature must also be at least 27 degrees.

Benefit and harm

The benefits of using such a product are obvious, but you can harm your body if you purchase low-quality products and without a certificate. It can have dangerous properties and adversely affect the human body. The quality of the oil will depend on the features of its production and on the honesty of the producers.

Top Producers

1. Spain. The largest manufacturer in the world. Large yields make it possible to provide European quality at a low cost.
2. Greece. Basically, the production of olive oils is established on the island of Crete and the Peloponnese. Produced from the Kalamata variety, bottles are often labeled as well. In most cases, they use old technology with the function of manual labor.
3. Italy. Olives are grown throughout the country, but the main regions are Sicily and Apulia. A variety of varieties are used in their production, so the taste and aroma range from sweet to bitter.

Kinds

• extra virgin. The highest class of oil. Olives are selected only high-quality and the best varieties. The fat content of the variety also matters. It passes the most stringent quality control, in terms of acidity it should have an indicator below 0.8%.
• olive oils. Second grade spin. If the first grade of Extra Virgin does not pass the quality standards, then it is sent for revision. Mixed with high quality oil to give a certain taste and aroma, and get an oil like Olive Oil. The acidity of this species is 2%.
• ‌Ordinary‌ ‌virgin‌ ‌olive‌ ‌oil‌. Acidity 3.3%.
• Refined‌. When cleaning, chemical processes are used. After grinding, the fruits are poured with hexane, during the interaction oil is released. Solvent residues are removed with water and alkalis.
• Pomace‌. Second pressing oil. It is a mixture of refined and unrefined (first grade).

Selection criteria (how to choose a quality one)

What to look for in order to avoid mistakes when choosing:

1. Taste. Natural oil has a rather specific rich, intense taste, has a sweet-bitter note. You should not purchase and use the product if it has a vinegary smell, as well as rancidity or a metallic taste.
2. Best before date. The less time has passed since the date of bottling, the better. Do not take such a product in reserve.
3. Sediment. When the oil cools, large flakes may appear at the bottom, this indicates a high quality of the oil. When the bottle is heated, the flakes will disappear.
4. Package. The highest quality is glass and tin containers. Plastic bottles can be harmful to health, as the oil has the ability to break down the top layer of polyethylene, and it can get into food.
5. Manufacturer. There are 3 most reliable and trusted manufacturers - these are Greece, Italy and Spain. In Greece, they use proven ancient production methods, so the oil is more natural and of high quality.
6. Marking‌ ‌PDO‌. This marking indicates that the production process takes place in the places where olive trees grow.
7. Price. Even inexpensive (budget) models are of good quality. Therefore, overpaying for a brand is not always rational. The price, to a greater extent, is influenced by the popularity of models and promotions of brands.
   ‌

Rating‌ ‌quality‌ ‌olive‌ ‌oils‌ ‌

‌The TOP rating includes types of oil, the best according to buyers. Also, the selection was based on the material, description, review and consumer reviews.For the rating, the highest quality suppliers were selected, these are Italy, Spain and Greece. Oil of Turkish, Tunisian and Russian production was not taken into account.
‌

‌Italian‌ ‌

Filippo‌ ‌Berio.‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin‌

Unrefined oil, cold, first pressing. Products of this brand meet the quality standard of European production. Optimum level of acidity. Average‌ ‌price:‌ ‌221‌ ‌rub.‌ ‌

• low‌ ‌level‌ ‌acidity;‌ ‌
• reliable,‌ ‌proven‌ ‌brand.‌ ‌

• not‌ ‌suitable‌ ‌for‌ ‌frying‌ ‌(immediately‌‌loses‌‌its‌‌aroma).‌ ‌

Characteristics	Indicators
Quantity (ml)	500
Expiration date (months)	20
Tara	Glass
Acidity	0.3

‌‌Alce‌ ‌Nero,‌ ‌750‌ ‌ml‌ ‌

Unrefined, unfiltered oil, first cold pressed. It has a rich taste, with a slight bitterness. Price:‌ ‌1999‌ ‌rub.‌ ‌

• wringing‌ ‌directly‌ ‌in ‌assembly‌places‌;
• does not contain preservatives and additives.

‌

• price.

‌

Characteristics	Indicators
Processing method	unrefined
Quantity (ml)	750
Tara	glass
Acidity	0.8

‌

Oil‌‌ ‌‌olive‌‌ ‌with‌ ‌basil‌ ‌250‌ ‌ml‌ ‌Bioitalia‌ ‌

Organic product from Italy. The company has been on the market since 1994. Unrefined oil, first cold pressed. Suitable for dressing salads, pizza, mozzarella. Cost:‌ ‌610‌ ‌rub‌ ‌

• safe product;
• high quality.

• small volume;
• has a taste of basil (specific taste).

‌‌

Indicators	Meaning
Compound	olives,‌ ‌herbs‌ ‌(basil)‌ ‌
Quantity (ml)	General
Tara	glass

‌

‌De‌ ‌Cecco,‌ ‌Classico‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin‌ ‌

Unrefined, first, cold pressed. Italian production. The shelf life is 18 months. Price:‌ ‌319‌ ‌RUB‌ ‌

• classic taste, without impurities;
• natural composition;
• verified manufacturer.

• not found.

Indicators	Meaning
Treatment	unrefined
Cheese-pressed	Yes
Tara	glass

‌

Oil‌‌ ‌‌olive‌‌ ‌with‌ ‌orange,‌ Bioitalia‌ ‌

The aroma of oranges favorably complements the taste and gives a special smell. Suitable for dressing salads, meat and fish, as well as for making desserts. Price:‌ ‌600‌ ‌rub.‌

• long shelf life;
• organic product.

• ‌specificity of taste.

Indicators	Meaning
Compound	oil‌ ‌olive‌ ‌(67%),‌ ‌infusion‌ ‌from‌ ‌fresh‌ ‌oranges‌ ‌(33%)‌ ‌
Tara	glass
Volume (ml)	250
Expiration date (months)	36

‌Cirio‌, ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin‌ ‌Classico

Unrefined, first, cold pressed. Cost:‌ ‌400‌ ‌rub‌ ‌

• natural composition;
• high quality product.

• small bottle size.

Indicators	Meaning
Spin	first, cold
Tara	glass
Volume (ml)	250
Cheese-pressed	Yes

‌

Il‌ ‌Casolare,‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌virgin‌ ‌Riserva‌ ‌

Raw materials for the manufacture of butter are collected by hand. Suitable for dressing salads, and for making sauces, for frying and grilling. Cost:‌ ‌945‌ ‌rub‌ ‌

• high quality products;
• without preservatives and additives.

• price.

Indicators	Meaning
Spin	first, cold
Tara	glass
Volume (ml)	500
Expiration date (months)	24

Farchioni‌, ‌Delicato‌ ‌

Refined with the addition of unrefined. The shelf life is 2 years. Price:‌ ‌301‌ ‌rub.‌

• high quality raw materials;
• optimal price-quality ratio.

• ‌refined (after filtration, some useful properties are lost).

Indicators	Meaning
Compound	purified‌ ‌with‌ ‌added‌ ‌unrefined‌
Tara	glass
Volume (ml)	500
Expiration date (months)	24

Spanish‌

‌Canoliva,‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin‌

Unrefined product. Suitable for cooking dishes with heat treatment, as well as for dressing salads. Cost:‌ ‌780 ‌rub‌ ‌

• high quality;
• large bottle size.

• not found.

Indicators	Meaning
Spin	first, cold
Tara	glass
Volume (ml)	1000
Cheese-pressed	Yes

‌

Maestro‌ ‌De‌ ‌Oliva,‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin‌ ‌

Top quality product, unrefined. Without additives and impurities. Suitable for any dish. Price:‌ ‌273‌ ‌rub‌ ‌

• product quality;
• price.

• inaccessibility (not sold in all stores).

Indicators	Meaning
Spin	first, cold
Tara	glass
Volume (ml)	500
Cheese-pressed	Yes

La‌ ‌Casa,‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌virgin‌ ‌

The acidity of this species is 0.7. Suitable for proper nutrition, saturates the body with vitamins. Spanish production. Price:‌ ‌430 ‌rub.‌ ‌

• optimal acidity;
• classic taste.

• not found.

‌

Indicators	Meaning
Spin	first, cold
Tara	glass jar
Volume (ml)	750
Acidity	0.7

‌Iberica‌ ‌

First cold pressed product. The volume of the bottle is 250 ml. Refined. Cost:‌ ‌235‌ ‌rub‌ ‌

• optimal price-quality ratio;
• without preservatives and additives.

• after refining, some useful properties of the product are lost.

Indicators	Meaning
Compound	‌refined‌ ‌(80‌ ‌%)‌ ‌unrefined‌ ‌(20‌ ‌%)‌
Tara	glass jar
Volume (ml)	250

‌Pons,‌ ‌250‌ ‌ml‌ ‌

Made from organic olives, has a mild taste. Refined. Average‌ ‌price:‌ ‌229‌ ‌rub.‌ ‌

• has no smell;
• high quality raw materials.

• has been refined.

Indicators	Meaning
Cheese-pressed	Yes
Tara	glass jar
Volume (ml)	250

Borges‌ ‌Original‌ ‌

Unrefined, cold pressed. It thickens at a temperature of +6 degrees. Shelf life: 2 years. It is a dietary product. Cost:‌ ‌990‌ ‌rub‌.

• does not have impurities and foreign odors;
• verified manufacturer;
• optimum level of acidity.

• not found.

Characteristics	Indicators
Acidity	0.26
Tara	can
Volume (ml)	500

‌

ColavitA,‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin‌ ‌100%‌ ‌Spanish‌ ‌

The ColavitA brand has established itself as a reliable and high-quality manufacturer of products. Unrefined, first, cold pressed. Cost:‌ ‌547‌ ‌rub‌

• price;
• high quality raw materials;
• top class processing.

• not found

Characteristics	Indicators
Energy value per 100 gr (kcal)	900
Tara	Glass bottle
Volume (ml)	500

‌Greek‌ ‌

‌

Glafkos‌

Cold pressed product. Produced from Koroneiki olives, mechanically. Metal packaging reliably retains all useful properties for the entire shelf life. Cost:‌ 519‌ ‌rub.‌ ‌

• can;
• high quality raw materials.

• large volume.

Characteristics	Indicators
Treatment	unrefined
Tara	can
Volume (ml)	1000
Expiration date (months)	18

‌

‌KURTES,‌ ‌Extra‌ ‌virgin‌ ‌

It is a dietary product, has many useful substances and vitamins. Greek production. Cost:‌ ‌450‌ ‌rub‌ ‌

• optimal acidity;
• rich, classic fragrance.

• low availability in the network of stores.

Characteristics	Indicators
Acidity	0.3
Treatment	unrefined
Tara	can
Volume (ml)	100
Expiration date (months)	24

‌Sitia‌, ‌Extra‌ ‌Virgin

It has a fruity-pepper aroma. It is labeled “Protected Region of Origin”. Has an award: a gold medal from the New York Olive Oil Competition 2016. Price:‌ ‌480‌ ‌rub.‌ ‌

• recognizable brand;
• high quality;
• optimum acidity.

• not found.

‌

Characteristics	Indicators
Acidity	0.3
Treatment	unrefined
Tara	can
Volume (ml)	250
Expiration date (months)	21

‌BioGourmet,‌ ‌Koronias‌ ‌

‌The high quality of the product is ensured by pressing, immediately after harvest. Contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals. One of the top three oils in Europe.Cost:‌ ‌1919‌ ‌rub.‌

• does not contain preservatives and additives;
• rich taste.

• price.

‌

Characteristics	Indicators
Treatment	unrefined
Package	Glass bottle
Volume (ml)	500

‌CRETEL‌, ‌P.D.O.‌ ‌estate‌ ‌Messara‌ ‌

The product has optimal acidity, tin packaging ensures long-term preservation of the taste and smell of the product. Production is at the collection point. Cost:‌ ‌524‌ ‌rub‌ ‌

• original product (without impurities);
• high quality production.

• large volume.

‌

Characteristics	Indicators
Acidity	0.6
Package	can
Expiration date (months)	18
Volume (l)	3

Gaea‌ Authentic‌ ‌Greek‌ ‌

The company has been on the market since 1995. Their products are sold in 23 countries around the world. They have established themselves as a reliable and high-quality manufacturer. Their products meet all the necessary standards. Average‌ ‌cost:‌ ‌1910‌ ‌rub.‌

• Ease of use;
• quality raw materials;
• innovative production technologies.

• price.

Characteristics	Indicators
Package	Glass bottle
Expiration date (months)	24
Volume (ml)	500

Hamalakis‌ ‌

It has a rich taste and aroma. It has low acidity and organoleptic characteristics. Made from varieties of Koroneiki‌ ‌or‌ ‌Psiloelia‌. The taste is bitter, with a pleasant aftertaste. Cost:‌ ‌300‌ ‌rub‌ ‌

• production is located in places where fruits are harvested;
• optimal acidity;
• quality assurance.

• rich bitter taste (not everyone will like it).

Characteristics	Indicators
Package	Glass bottle
Acidity	0.3
Volume (ml)	500
Smell	grassy

where could I buy

Consider tips on where to buy products. Two options: purchase in retail stores and hypermarkets or order online from an online store. Both methods guarantee that the products comply with quality certificates, but the price range may differ. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at how much the model costs at several sites, and then choosing the appropriate option. Buy branded oil at a promotion when discounts apply to it. Such a good deal will allow you to try the oil and determine if the product is suitable for taste. Which company is better to buy, also the choice is yours, based on your preferences and the scope of the product.