You’ve been storing your olive oil wrong! Experts reveal the common mistake that makes the liquid go rancid more quickly
It is a staple in kitchens across the UK.
But it turns out you’ve probably been storing your olive oil incorrectly.
Although many people like to keep their olive oil next to the hob for easy access, experts at Which? have warned that this could cause the liquid to go rancid more quickly.
Instead, they recommend storing it in a cool, dark place.
‘Storing your olive oil in a cupboard, away from light, heat and oxygen, will extend its life and prevent it from spoiling too quickly.’ Which one? explained.
Unlike wine, olive oil doesn’t improve with age, so you shouldn’t let it linger for years.
“As soon as the bottle is opened, it is exposed to oxygen, causing the oil to spoil,” the experts added.
‘For maximum taste and health benefits, use within a few months.’
It is a staple in kitchens across the UK. But it turns out you’ve probably been storing your olive oil incorrectly
While which one? recommends keeping your olive oil away from heat sources, but it is also best to avoid the refrigerator.
“Don’t keep it in the refrigerator,” the experts warned.
‘You may have heard that keeping olive oil in the fridge will keep it longer, but our experts don’t recommend this.
‘It is best to store it in a cool, dark cupboard.’
The experts also encourage you to pay close attention to the packaging.
“Our experts recommend avoiding oil sold in clear plastic bottles as this can negatively impact the taste of the oil,” the report said.
‘Preferably choose a can or a dark-colored glass bottle instead of a transparent bottle.
“This helps block out the light and prevent the oil from spoiling, both on the store shelves and when you get it home.”
Although many people like to keep their olive oil next to the hob for easy access, experts at Which? have warned that this could cause your olive oil to go rancid more quickly
The advice from Which? comes shortly after angry shoppers branded the cost of olive oil ‘disgusting’ after prices almost tripled in three years. Pictured: The price of the cheapest 500ml bottle of olive oil in any UK supermarket
The advice from Which? comes shortly after angry 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 from MailOnline showed the average was £9.49, an increase of more than 168 per cent.
Waitrose’s most expensive bottle of olive oil costs £22 for 500ml. It’s almost double the price of a 750ml bottle of Whispering Angel Provence Rosé, which costs just £11.49 from the same supermarket.
The cheapest place to buy a 500ml bottle of olive oil is Aldi, where you can get one for just €4.59. Iceland had the cheapest bottle on average at £5.50, although only one type was offered.
Comparing all the cheapest 500ml bottles from each store, the Co-Op came out with the most expensive, at £7.35.