Extra virgin olive oil, organic or conventionally grown, is the highest quality category of olive oil. It is a “living organism” that is greatly affected by storage conditions.
Whether it is organic extra virgin olive oil or not, storage conditions are likely to degrade it to a lower quality category (Virgin or lampade).
Before answering the question of storage conditions, we should know what to protect extra virgin olive oil from.
The “enemies” of the quality of extra virgin olive oil
The “enemies” of extra virgin olive oil are: light, temperature, odors, oxygen and time. Of the above, the only thing we cannot prevent is time. However, by buying wisely and storing the product properly, we can enjoy it for a longer time in excellent quality.
Before you buy extra virgin olive oil
Before purchasing extra virgin olive oil, we recommend considering the following:
- Selection of appropriate packaging. The ideal packages for storing extra virgin olive oil are dark colored (uvac) or tin containers.
- Choose package size according to your needs so you don’t have to store it for a long time.
Proper storage conditions for extra virgin olive oil
In our opinion, proper storage practices for extra virgin olive oil are summarized as following:
- Store in a place with no light (e.g. cupboard)
- Store in a cool place (ideal temperatures 16-20 oC). Avoid storage near heat sources (eg fireplace, radiator, stove)
- Store in a place away from odors (e.g. detergents)
- Close proper and safe the screw cap
- When the package is opened, try to consume the product in a short period of time.
By following the above suggestions as much as possible, you will surely enjoy the unique quality of extra virgin olive oil for a longer period.