How to Store Olive Oil
When it comes to keeping your EVOO fresh, 3 things will really affect it:
- Light
- Heat
- Oxygen
Proper storage can protect your olive oil and keep it from turning rancid. Keep reading below to learn my best practices for preserving those beneficial polyphenols.
The 3 Olive Oil No-No’s
Light
In short, sunlight is damaging for the delicate antioxidant-containing polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). The oil becomes denatured & therefore harmful to us.
High-quality pure EVOO is unrefined and hand extracted.
It is also packed full of precious antioxidants & polyphenols. It also contains chlorophyll – the naturally occurring chemical that plants use for photosynthesis. The greener the EVOO oil, the more chlorophyll it contains.
When EVOO is exposed to sunlight, a chemical reaction occurs known as photo-oxidation, which denatures & destabilises the oil, damaging its overall quality.
You may have noticed that some olive oil is packaged in dark bottles or dark box packaging – this is to reduce its exposure to light. By storing it in a dark cupboard or pantry, you can further reduce the potential for photo-oxidation.
Heat
13.5°C is the ideal temperature for storing EVOO, but up to 21°C is also acceptable.
Be careful where you store your EVOO. If you store it in a location where temperatures regularly exceed 21°C, the oil will degrade and turn rancid sooner than it otherwise would.
Hotspots include next to your cooker, next to your radiator, on top of your fridge or in direct sunlight. The flavour will suffer, not to mention the health benefits.
Your best bet is to store your olive oil in a cool, dry location such as a kitchen cupboard or pantry.
Oxygen
The most challenging of the three is oxygen, as it is the hardest to avoid.
As soon as you open the bottle, the EVOO is exposed to air, which causes oxidation.
High-quality EVOO contains beneficial polyphenols & antioxidants which can initially resist oxidation. However, prolonged oxygen exposure will cause rapid degeneration, eventually causing the EVOO to denature & become rancid.
It’s a real challenge. If you buy your EVOO in bottles, there’s no way to avoid opening the bottle every time you want to use it; even worse if you forget to replace the lid.
A sealed container will keep more oxygen from entering and damaging your oil. You may have seen large boxed olive oil or large litre tins of olive oil. These work better as you only dispense what you need, or you can decant what you need into smaller bottles & refill as necessary.
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Olive Oil FAQs
Which is the best container for storing olive oil?
The main options are:
- Glass bottles
- Plastic bottles
- Stainless steel dispenser
- Ceramic jug bottle
You have likely seen olive oil stored in one or more of these containers. Most olive oil producers opt for traditional dark glass bottles, while others choose more cost-effective plastic containers. Here are the pros and cons of each.
Glass Bottle
Dark glass bottles are the most popular type of olive oil container. They look good & are also fit for purpose – helping to block the harmful light rays that can damage the oil.
As long as you don’t place them near obvious heat sources like cookers or radiators, they are pretty effective at keeping EVOO at a safe temperature.
Plastic Bottle
Yes, you can store your EVOO in plastic containers. However, chemicals such as BPA can leach from plastic containers into olive oil, potentially altering the delicate balance of flavour and contaminating it with unwanted chemicals.
If you don’t use a lot of EVOO, then avoid plastic containers for this reason.
Plastic may be more suitable for individuals who have a higher turnover or usage of EVOO, such as restaurants or caterers.
Stainless Steel Dispenser
If you are considering purchasing your EVOO in bulk, this is a good storage option. Stainless steel is ideal for both blocking light and helping to keep the oil cool.
It is a non-reactive metal, so it won’t tarnish or release harmful impurities into your oil.
It is also aesthetically pleasing and can be a nice addition to your kitchen.
You can dispense the oil into smaller bottles using the tap at the front of the container.
Should I Keep Olive Oil in the Fridge?
You may think that it is a good idea to refrigerate your olive oil, based on what I have been telling you so far – the darker and cooler, the better.
However, I don’t advise storing EVOO in the fridge.
The cooler temperature will cause the olive oil to cloud & solidify. Yes, it will return to liquid once it is back at room temperature, but repeated temperature fluctuations can reduce its quality & freshness.
Why Do Some Olive Oils Cause a Peppery Pinch at the Back of the Throat?
Newly pressed extra-virgin olive oil contains a powerful polyphenol called oleocanthal. It is a naturally occurring antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.
Olive oil aficionados around the world, especially in olive-growing regions, prize that gentle peppery pinch because it can be an indicator of fresh, high-quality olive oil.
