Here at the Strategist UK, we like to think of ourselves as obsessive (in the best way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. Which is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing ones. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.)
And while we’ve written about kitchen essentials on the Strategist before — including the best coffee makers, the best ice-cream-makers, and the best chef’s knives — here, we’ve rounded up the best olive oils, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon.
Best-rated overall olive oil
This Italian extra-virgin olive oil by Le Terre di Colombo was the best-rated overall, with the highest number of ratings and a total of 79 percent five-star reviews. Customers considered it a versatile oil, with reviews mentioning it being used in salad dressings, drizzled over roasted vegetables, and, according to one man, it even tastes good enough to drink neat. The flavour was described as peppery and slightly floral, while lacking the bitterness often associated with EVOOs (extra-virgin olive oils). Fifteen customers wrote that it was good quality, while eight said it was a good value given that it was such a premium-quality oil. The tinted glass bottle helps prevent sun damage to the oil as well as oxidation, and it was commented on in 17 reviews. One customer said this olive oil had taken their expectations to a whole new level.
Best-rated (less-expensive) olive oil
This Spanish EVOO has 75 percent five-star reviews and is notably less expensive than the other options in our list, coming in at under £10. Nine reviewers were impressed with the low cost, while another nine considered it a good value for money, particularly as a little bit went a long way. Customers described the flavour profile as warm and rich and notably lacking in bitterness. One customer bought it after being unable to get good-quality olive oil in their supermarket during lockdown, but they were so impressed by the quality that they’ve started bulk-buying it. The mild flavour makes it good to cook with, as it won’t overpower any dishes. Critical reviews mentioned the plastic bottle, which isn’t as robust as glass or ceramic options and results in the oil being tainted if let near sunlight. One reviewer also highlighted that the oil went cloudy when cold — a sign it is good quality and not watered down with cheaper oils.
Best-rated cold-pressed olive oil
Cold-pressed oils are thicker in consistency and richer in taste than regular oils — this Greek one by Cretan Culture has 81 percent five-star reviews. One customer cited Greek olive oils as their favourite due to the fruitier flavour profile and was impressed at the price. Another customer agreed, saying that a bottle of this was a far better alternative to the more frequently found (but worse-quality) brands they found in their local supermarket. Generally speaking, customers recommended using this to finish dishes, rather than using it to cook with, as the delicate notes get lost under heat. One reviewer also appreciated the “reassuring” green colour common in cold-pressed oils.
Best-rated Californian olive oil
This oil from California Olive Ranch was the best-rated overall by our U.S colleagues, though it is notably more expensive here. Eighty-five percent of the reviews are five stars, and the flavour profile was highlighted in 90 five-star reviews. One customer, calling it the best olive oil they’d ever tasted, said it was good enough to enjoy by the spoonful and recommended drizzling it over steamed broccoli and fettuccine. Another described the flavour profile as somewhere in the middle between strong and light oils and recommended it for people who find other olive oils too overpowering. One customer went so far as to say that every other olive oil tasted inferior after trying this brand, specifically highlighting the grassy and buttery notes, which they said made it an excellent olive oil for pesto.
Best-rated three-litre olive oil
Le Terre di Colombo’s highly rated olive oil comes in a larger three-litre tin, which many reviewers found was better value than buying by the bottle. One reviewer bought it for a catering gig, while another bought this after realising it was easier than lugging their olive oil home from their big shop. According to one happy customer, the tin lasted more than three months, despite being used on almost everything they cooked. And although one self-professed Italian-food expert said they had tasted superior oils, they said they couldn’t deny the value of this product given that their favourite olive oil costs twice as much.
Best-rated flavoured olive-oil set
This four-pack set of olive oils by Spanish-based García de la Cruz has 70 percent five-star reviews and features flavours such as basil, lemon, garlic, and hot chili. Reviewers mentioned drizzling these oils on everything from salads to pizzas. One customer recommended the garlic option for adding plenty of flavour without having an overpowering “raw” taste. Though one customer said the spout was a little overgenerous, most complaints were about how quickly these oils were used up — one customer even bought their own set after initially gifting one to a friend.
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