Olive oil is definitely one of the ingredients at the core of our family’s diet and a constant staple in our home cooking. It’s the star in some of my favorite savory dishes, like Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, and in many of my baking recipes, like my One Bowl Banana Bread. This unsaturated fat filled with beneficial plant compounds called polyphenols has countless health benefits and is seen by many, not only as a food, but as daily medicine that keeps our bodies healthy. One of the most important things to remember about purchasing and consuming olive oil is the freshness. Unlike wine, olive oil does not get better over time. You always want to check the date on the bottle, if there is one, to see when it was harvested and bottled, and buy products that were recently produced. If your friend gives you a nice bottle of olive oil as a gift, don’t leave it sitting on the shelf for years waiting for a special occasion. Use that oil! If you live in the United States, look towards places like California and Georgia that are producing really exceptional olive oil right here at home. With less time stuck in transport and customs, you are more likely to get a product that is fresh and has a longer shelf life.
Here are six olive oils that a perfect for everyday use:
Costco’s Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Central Coast Family Farm Olive Oil