Different Ways To Tell If Your Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is Authentic
BY Marina S.
Indicators On Label
The harvest or pressed on date is an authenticity indicator that high-end extra virgin olive oils put on labels, revealing when the olives were turned into oil.
You should also look out for the estate name. Bottles that take the time to show the estate or mill from which the olives were harvested indicate authenticity and accountability.
The best extra virgin olive oil producers use dark glass to make the bottle, which keeps the oil from being exposed to sunlight, preserving its taste and shelf life.
Hence, it's best to go for darker bottles when buying extra virgin olive oil. Clear glass bottles aren't exactly a red flag for deceit, but they require closer label inspection.
Many bottles use terms like "pure olive oil" or "extra light olive oil," but only the words “extra virgin olive oil” prove that the bottle is carrying the real deal.
That's because the title "extra virgin" is only given out by the International Olive Council (IOC), the USDA, or the governing body with this power where the olive oil is made.