Often referred to as "liquid gold," olive oil has been used and lauded for its different benefits, as documented in ancient literature. Olive and olive oil's roots can be traced to the Mediterranean region, where olive symbolized wealth, peace, and fame. It also became a staple in daily life, specifically in diets where olive is used in many different types of dishes, cooked or uncooked. Fast forward to today, olive oil is widely used not just in cooking but also for health and beauty.
With many choices of different types, it could be quite hard to choose which bottle of olive oil is the best choice. Here, we will lessen that struggle by deciphering what labels like extra-virgin and pure mean and help you pick the best olive oil that suits your taste. To make your choice even easier, we asked nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales for some of her comments and tips.
Quick List - Top Olive Oils
Filippo Berio
Savor A Rich and Distinct Flavor, Perfect for Dressings and Marinades
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
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More than the taste that olive oil brings to food, it is known for its many health benefits. Olive oil, especially extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), contains healthy fatty acids called monosaturated oleic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols and vitamins E and K, which help prevent chronic diseases and cell damage caused by free radicals.
These properties naturally slow the aging process and even reduce the risk of cancer. Moreover, it lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases and supports brain health. Plus, it helps with weight loss and obesity prevention since it supports healthy levels of HDL (good cholesterol). These benefits are mostly present in EVOO, so do take that into consideration when purchasing olive oil.
When it comes to olive oil, not all bottles are created equal. To help you select the best olive oil, it's crucial to understand the different grades available. Let's delve into the most common types of olive oils you'll find in the Philippines.
Virgin olive oil, a type of natural olive oil, is usually produced from riper olives. It is created after pressing the extra virgin olive oil. It is also slightly more acidic than EVOO. It still has good benefits but is not as healthy as the EVOO.
Refined olive oil is processed olive oil to prolong its shelf life, neutralize its flavor, and increase its smoke point to 465°F (240°C), making it ideal for high-temperature cooking.
Olive oil isn't just a cooking staple—it's a fundamental ingredient that can elevate the flavors of your meals. But with various grades, packaging options, and certifications to consider, how do you make the right choice? Fret not, as we'll discuss the essential factors to keep in mind while shopping for olive oil below!
When choosing which type of olive oil to purchase, Samantha Morales shares a tip—it’s best to remember and go back to what your purpose is for using olive oil. If you’re after the benefits of olive oil, go for extra-virgin olive oil. But for frying and roasting, opt for pure olive oil. Check out the details below.
Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the purest and highest quality olive oil. It is considered the best among the different types of olive oil since it’s cold-pressed and not refined with chemicals. Thus, it retains the natural flavor of olives, giving it a distinct taste. The nutrients also remain intact, so you get maximum health benefits—it’s definitely worth the purchase despite its steep price point.
However, it has a low smoke point, so it’s better used for salad dressings and dips rather than cooking. Samantha Morales mentions that regardless of the cooking oil you choose, nutrients diminish as you expose food to high temperatures. This includes heat-sensitive vitamins such as B vitamins and vitamin C, antioxidants, and even enzymes.
EVOO has a smoke point of 325-375°F (around 162-190°C), which makes it ideal for salad dressings, dips, no-cook sauces (for example, basil pesto), or for cooking recipes that only require low temperature. Should you wish to use it for cooking your food, make sure you keep an eye on it so as not to reach its smoking point.
Always pay attention to labels. There are refined olive oils that are blended with vegetable oil to give it a more neutral flavor.
Olive oil goes bad relatively quickly, most especially when it is exposed to sunlight and heat. Good-quality olive oils are packaged in dark-tinted glass bottles or tin cans to prevent oxidation and keep them from turning rancid. Another way to check the quality of the olive oil is to place it inside the fridge—if it thickens and becomes cloudy, that’s a good sign!
Olive oil is very heat and light-sensitive so I don’t recommend those in light (or even plastic) packaging. Say, for example, you bought one that’s in light-colored/transparent plastic packaging from the grocery—this has already been sitting in the store for quite some time, under LED light. Again, olive oil is heat and light-sensitive, so chances are that the antioxidant properties are not as high anymore.
To determine the purity of the olive oil, see if it has certifications from the International Olive Oil Council. Organic extra-virgin olive oils, which are either cold-pressed or expeller-pressed, are good choices as well. Additionally, look at the bottling dates, use-by dates, or pressing dates to determine the freshness of the olive oil. If they’re more than a year old, best to select a newer one.
In order to maintain the freshness of olive oil, Samantha Morales recommends purchasing a small bottle first. Observe how long you can finish it before purchasing a new one.
Ideally, choose the amount that you can consume for up to six weeks. This is best for small households or those who don’t consume olive oil often. That’s because when you open a bottle of olive oil, it gets exposed to air, leading to oxidation.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Flavor Profile | Dark Packaging | Organic | Net Weight | |||||
1 | Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil | ![]() | Savor A Rich and Distinct Flavor, Perfect for Dressings and Marinades | Extra Virgin | Fruity and Grassy With a Slightly Strong Aftertaste | 500ml | |||
2 | Capri Extra Virgin Olive Oil | ![]() | A Versatile Olive Oil Fit for All Your Culinary Creations | Extra Virgin | Light and Delicate | 500ml | |||
3 | Borges Extra Virgin Olive Oil Bottle | ![]() | One of the World’s Best With a Touch of Spice | Extra Virgin | Milld and Spicy | 250ml | |||
4 | Mazza Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Cold Pressed) | ![]() | A Vitamin-Packed Nutritious Olive Oil for Every Meal | Extra Virgin | Sweet, Fruity, and Almond-Like | 500ml | |||
5 | Valencia Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil | ![]() | A Fresh, Premium-Quality Olive Oil in an Easy-Grip Bottle | Extra Virgin | Rich | 1000ml | |||
6 | Cobram Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil|Light Flavor | ![]() | Infuses a Sweet and Delicate Flavor to Your Dishes | Extra Virgin | Ripe Fruit and Apple Notes With a Distinct Sweetness | 750ml | |||
7 | Bertolli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil | ![]() | USDA Certified Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil | Extra Virgin | Intense and Full-Bodied Flavor | 1500ml | |||
8 | Molinera Mediterranean Olive Oil Blend | ![]() | Savor Richness Without Breaking the Bank | Mediterranean Extra Virgin | Light | 1000ml | |||
9 | Del Monte Contadina Pure Olive Oil | ![]() | Versatile Oil for Bold, Balanced Cooking | Pure | Has Smoky Notes, Fruity Notes, Smooth, Delicate, and Well-Balanced | 250ml | |||
10 | Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil | ![]() | Get More Savings With This 2 Liter Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil | Extra Virgin | Fruity With a Rich, Distinct Taste | 2000mL |
Filippo Berio has received certification from the North American Olive Oil Association's About Olive Oil Quality Seal program for both purity and quality, ensuring authenticity. Their extra-virgin olive oil is made from the first cold press of olives, imparting a fruity and grassy flavor to your meals, finishing off with a slightly strong aftertaste.
With the rich, distinct flavor of fresh and fragrant olives, this EVOO enhances the flavor of any dish. Drizzle it on your salads, use it to make sauces and marinades, or sauté fruits and veggies with it—it's that versatile! Those who bought it loved its mild and balanced flavor that isn't overpowering.
Type | Extra Virgin |
---|---|
Flavor Profile | Fruity and Grassy With a Slightly Strong Aftertaste |
Dark Packaging | |
Organic | |
Net Weight | 500ml |
Capri's cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil is a jack of all trades. Its light and delicate flavor complements a variety of dishes without overwhelming them, making it perfect for your cooking and baking needs.
Whether you’re dressing a fresh salad, mixing it into sauces, or drizzling it over soups, its low acidity adds just the right touch of richness. Capri's smooth, balanced taste makes it a superb addition to any kitchen, bringing out the best in both simple and complex recipes.
Type | Extra Virgin |
---|---|
Flavor Profile | Light and Delicate |
Dark Packaging | |
Organic | |
Net Weight | 500ml |
Renowned as one of the world’s top three olive oil brands, Borges Extra Virgin Olive Oil is certified by the IOC for its superior quality. Its unique flavor profile features a delightful spiciness that gives an exciting kick to your dishes while maintaining a mild undertone.
Whatever you're cooking, Borges brings versatility and a touch of gourmet flair. Plus, it’s GMO-free and low in saturated fat, making it a healthier choice for everyday use. Elevate your meals with Borges, where quality and flavor come together.
Type | Extra Virgin |
---|---|
Flavor Profile | Milld and Spicy |
Dark Packaging | |
Organic | |
Net Weight | 250ml |
Type | Extra Virgin |
---|---|
Flavor Profile | Sweet, Fruity, and Almond-Like |
Dark Packaging | |
Organic | |
Net Weight | 500ml |
Type | Extra Virgin |
---|---|
Flavor Profile | Rich |
Dark Packaging | |
Organic | |
Net Weight | 1000ml |
If you want to impart a more subtle flavor to your dishes, this light EVOO is the perfect pick. Its taste can be described as fruity, floral, and grassy with little to no bitterness, thanks to the use of the Arbequina olive varietal. This makes it a perfect match for your baked goods, though it's just as good for frying, poaching, and other types of cooking methods.
Another noteworthy feature is the built-in spout for easier pouring. This Australian-made olive oil has earned multiple awards from the New York International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition, Japan International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition, and other prestigious competitions worldwide. Perhaps this is the reason why buyers have rated it highly on Lazada and Shopee!
Type | Extra Virgin |
---|---|
Flavor Profile | Ripe Fruit and Apple Notes With a Distinct Sweetness |
Dark Packaging | |
Organic | |
Net Weight | 750ml |
With only 0.3% acidity content, this olive oil has an intense and full-bodied flavor, which makes it a great finish on meats, pasta, vegetables, and it makes a great dressing for salads and dips as well. It is certified USDA organic which means it only uses organic olives and uses organic farming standards.
Bertolli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil promises to bring out the authentic flavors of any dish. Moreover, it provides our bodies with health benefits, from brain alertness to heart fitness. This is ideal for those on a keto or a paleo diet or those who are vegetarian or vegan since it can provide healthy fats and antioxidants to your meals.
Type | Extra Virgin |
---|---|
Flavor Profile | Intense and Full-Bodied Flavor |
Dark Packaging | |
Organic | |
Net Weight | 1500ml |
Type | Mediterranean Extra Virgin |
---|---|
Flavor Profile | Light |
Dark Packaging | |
Organic | |
Net Weight | 1000ml |
Thanks to its high smoke point, this olive oil is perfect for a variety of cooking methods. You can use it confidently without worrying about burning or compromising its flavor. Its ability to withstand high heat means you can achieve that perfect golden crust on meats or vegetables, complementing the natural flavors of your ingredients.
Type | Pure |
---|---|
Flavor Profile | Has Smoky Notes, Fruity Notes, Smooth, Delicate, and Well-Balanced |
Dark Packaging | |
Organic | |
Net Weight | 250ml |
Made from high-quality olives sourced from the Mediterranean region, this 2-liter extra-virgin olive oil gives you the best bang for your buck. This first cold-pressed oil is purely undiluted and contains more of the natural vitamins and minerals found in olives, such as vitamin E, iron, copper, and calcium. It's also vegan, kosher, gluten-free, and USDA-certified organic to cater to different diet plans.
This certainly is one of the best-tasting olive oils you'll find at its price point. You'll definitely love finding hints of its fresh, fruity, and robust taste in your favorite meals! Many people use this for everyday cooking—they love the flavor it imparts to their dishes and say it gives the best value for their money. Keeping up with a healthy lifestyle is made easy with this delicious organic olive oil.
Type | Extra Virgin |
---|---|
Flavor Profile | Fruity With a Rich, Distinct Taste |
Dark Packaging | |
Organic | |
Net Weight | 2000mL |
If you still have some questions in your mind regarding olive oils, our expert Samantha Morales has answered them below! Continue reading to find out more.
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Re-editor: Aprille Jarcia
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Filippo Berio|Extra Virgin Olive Oil
No. 2: Capri |Extra Virgin Olive Oil
No. 3: Borges |Extra Virgin Olive Oil Bottle
No. 4: Mazza|Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Cold Pressed)
No. 5: Valencia|Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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