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Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review

Many Extra Virgin Olive Oils Don't Seem to Make the Grade

Latest Update
Olive Oil: Too Much of a Good Thing?
Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

 
Updated June 16, 2025 ⓘ
Watch the video
Products tested in 2021 and 2023

Summary

  • What does extra virgin olive oil do?

    In addition to a pleasurable, pungent taste, extra virgin olive oil has potential health benefits including reduced risk of coronary heart disease, reduced risk of breast and colorectal cancers, and improved blood sugar control (see What It Does). Some of these benefits are associated with higher amounts of polyphenols in extra virgin olive oils, as well as higher concentrations of oleic acid. (Note: Olive leaf extracts contain even higher concentrations of polyphenols than olive oil.)

  • How much olive oil should I take?

    Health benefits with extra virgin olive oil have been associated with intakes of about 2 to 4 tablespoons per day -- particularly when this replaces saturated fats (see What It Does).

  • Which are the best and worst extra virgin olive oils?

    Although all 13 of the popular olive oils selected for review by ConsumerLab.com passed chemical testing, analysis of flavor and aroma by an expert olive oil taster raised questions about the quality of nine products — grading them as not extra virgin, and some even as "lampante," meaning unfit for human consumption What CL Found and How Products Were Evaluated.

    Among those considered "extra virgin," CL selected three as its Top Picks -- one that is mild, one with high polyphenols, and one with very high polyphenols. Use the Results table to compare the test results (including polyphenol levels, which ranged from 149 mg/kg to 654 mg/kg), in addition to taste descriptions, prices, and other features of products.

  • How to buy, use, and store olive oil?

    Buy olive oil in a dark-colored glass bottle to protect it from light (and/or store it in a dark cabinet), and don't worry about the color of the oil — it's not a reliable indicator of quality or flavor. If cooking with olive oil, limit use to later stages of cooking, keeping heating time to a minimum (see ConsumerTips).

  • Safety and side effects of olive oil

    Olive oil is generally safe and well-tolerated, but it may interact with certain medications (see Concerns and Cautions).

Make sure you're choosing the best extra virgin olive oil approved in our tests!

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Extra virgin olive oils compared in this review

View Larger Image 7441_large_CaliforniaOliveRanch-Medium-ExtraVirginOliveOil-2021.png

California Olive Ranch 100% California Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Medium

View Larger Image 7440_large_CaliforniaOliveRanch-ExtraVirginOliveOil-2021-small.png

California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Everyday Blend

View Larger Image 8188_large_CaliforniOliveRanch-ExtraVirginOliveOil-2023.png

California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil Global Blend - Medium

View Larger Image 7449_large_Carapelli-OliveOil-2021.png

Carapelli Unfiltered Extra Virgin Olive Oil

View Larger Image 7442_large_Colavita-ExtraVirginOliveOil-2021.png

Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil

View Larger Image 7447_large_Goya-ExtraVirginOliveOil-2021.png

Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil

View Larger Image 8187_large_GundryMD-ExtraVirginOliveOil-2023.png

Gundry MD Polyphenol-Rich Olive Oil

View Larger Image 7445_large_Kirkland-ExtraVirginOliveOil-2021.png

Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

View Larger Image 8186_large_LifeExtension-ExtraVirginOliveOil-2023.png

Life Extension California Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil

View Larger Image 7444_large_Lucini-ExtraVirginOliveOil-2021-small.png

Lucini Italia Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

View Larger Image 7443_large_SpectrumExtraVirginOliveOil-2021.png

Spectrum Culinary Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

View Larger Image 7450_large_TerraDelyssa-OliveOil-2021.png

Terra Delyssa Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

View Larger Image 7448_large_TraderJoes-ExtraVirginOliveOil-2021.png

Trader Joe's Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil

You must be a member to get the full test results for 13 olive oils along with ConsumerLab.com's recommendations and quality ratings. In this comprehensive review, you'll discover:  
  • Which extra virgin olive oils passed our tests of quality -- including laboratory testing and expert sensory testing -- and which did not
  • ConsumerLab.com's Top Picks, representing the best quality olive oils at the best price -- we found that cost does not always reflect quality
  • How extra virgin olive oils compare in anti-oxidant polyphenol levels, oleic acid levels and freshness 
  • The health benefits of olive oil
  • How to buy, use, store, and cook with extra virgin olive oil, including the reliability of the "fridge test" for olive oil quality
  • Cautions when using extra virgin olive oil along with prescription medications

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Additional Information
Tested through CL's Quality Certification Program prior to, or after initial posting of this Product Review.