It’s a staple item in kitchens across the UK.
But it turns out you’ve probably been storing your olive oil wrong.
While many people like to keep their olive oil next to the hob for easy access, experts from Which? have warned that this could actually make the liquid go rancid more quickly.
Instead, they advise storing it in a cool, dark place.
‘Keeping your olive oil in a cupboard away from light, heat and oxygen will help to prolong its life and prevent it going off too quickly,’ Which? explained.
Unlike wine, olive oil does not get better with age – so you shouldn’t let it hang around for years.
‘Once the bottle is opened it’s exposed to oxygen, which causes the oil to deteriorate,’ the experts added.
‘For maximum taste and health benefits, use within a couple of months.’
It’s a staple item in kitchens across the UK. But it turns out you’ve probably been storing your olive oil wrong
While Which? advises keeping your olive oil away from any heat sources, it’s also best to avoid the fridge.
‘Don’t store it in the fridge,’ the experts cautioned.
‘You might have heard that keeping your olive oil in the fridge will help it last longer, but our experts don’t recommend this.
‘Keeping it in a cool, dark cupboard is best.’
The experts also encourage you to pay close attention to the packaging.
‘Our experts recommend avoiding oil sold in clear plastic bottles, which can negatively impact the flavour of the oil,’ it explained.
‘Ideally, opt for a tin or a dark-coloured glass bottle rather than a clear one.
‘This helps to block out light and prevent the oil from deteriorating, both on the shop shelves and when you get it home.’
While many people like to keep their olive oil next to the hob for easy access, experts from Which? have warned that this could actually make your olive oil go rancid more quickly
Which?’s advice comes shortly after furious shoppers branded the cost of olive oil ‘disgusting’ after prices almost tripled in three years. Pictured: The price of the cheapest bottle of 500ml olive oil in each UK supermarket
Which?’s advice comes shortly after furious shoppers branded the cost of olive oil ‘disgusting’ after prices almost tripled in three years.
In January 2021, the average price of a bottle of olive oil was £3.54.
But in April 2024, research by MailOnline found the average is £9.49, an increase of more than 168 per cent.
The most expensive bottle of olive oil is £22 for 500ml from Waitrose. It’s almost double the price of a 750ml bottle of Whispering Angel Provence Rosé, which is just £11.49 from the same supermarket.
The cheapest place to buy a 500ml bottle of olive oil is Aldi, where you can get your hands on one for just £4.59. Iceland had the cheapest bottle on average at £5.50, although it only offered a single type.
Comparing all the cheapest 500ml bottles from each shop, the Co-Op came out with the most expensive, of £7.35.
