The Worst Olive Oil On Aldi's Shelves Is Also The Cheapest

Aldi has some of the most unbeatable prices of any grocery chain, and many of its private-label products are just as good as name-brand counterparts. Unfortunately, not every product is up to name-brand par. This rings true especially when it comes to olive oil, as the cheapest option tends to equate with a drop in quality. We sampled six olive oils at Aldi, ranking each one according to ingredients, production, packaging, and price.

The worst olive oil on Aldi's shelves is also the cheapest bottle from Carlini. Carlini olive oil is a blend of refined olive oil and extra virgin olive oil. Refined olive oil undergoes a heat-treated process that rids the oil of impurities, and in doing so, also removes many of the nuanced flavors, aromas, and healthy antioxidants and polyphenols characteristic of unrefined, or extra virgin, olive oil. 

While refined olive oil has its place as a cooking oil for high-heat methods like deep-frying, our reviewer found that Carlini olive oil lacked the "bright, full flavor" that could be imparted by its extra virgin olive oil content. The reviewer also noted that Carlini's olive oil is sold in a clear plastic bottle. Your olive oil bottle color matters more than you might expect. If this product were to be stored outside of a dark cabinet, its clear plastic container would expose the olive oil to light, potentially degrading its quality.

Many of the issues we've raised with Calini's olive oil blend should serve to let you know what to avoid. However, you should also know the cues that indicate the best bottle of olive oil. The first thing to look out for is the packaging. Instead of clear plastic, many aficionados prefer olive oil in aluminum tins or dark green glass bottles, preventing light from impacting the oil. The label should also display an expiration date. 

Refined olive oil can be excellent for cooking, but when using olive oil unheated — like for dipping bread or to blend into your next vinaigrette — seek out a high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Upon opening the bottle, there should be a discernable aroma, ranging from fruity to peppery to grassy. This aroma will translate into an earthy depth of flavor with a slightly bitter finish characteristic of any high-quality olive oil. 

While some of the best olive oils are pretty expensive, you can find plenty of budget-friendly olive oils on our list of the 20 best olive oils for cooking. Of course, store-brand olive oils will almost always be cheaper than name brands, and we've got plenty of recommendations for tasty store-brand olive oils, with Trader Joe's taking our top spot.