Do You Have a Favorite Cheapish Olive Oil?
We are preparing for our next taste test installment: moderately-priced olive oils. Though it's tough to define "moderately-priced," we're sticking to quart-sized bottles south of $10 or so. Do you have a favorite brand? [Snaps to our reader Sarah for the suggestion!]
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36 Comments:
Trader Joe's Spanish olive oil
hanak at 11:18AM on 09/02/09
great idea! I was hoping to see this myself. My family usually sticks to canola oil for everyday cooking... but we keep a stash of olive oil when we need it. Since we dont use it often, we dont really think about which to buy.
engmcmuffin at 11:24AM on 09/02/09
Ybarra extra virgin olive oil. The 3 liter can goes for about $12 on Arthur Avenue.
simon at 11:24AM on 09/02/09
Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil - not too expensive, nice and fruity.
jgleeche at 11:27AM on 09/02/09
I've always favored Carapelli. I think the extra virgin as a nice fruity taste that is perfect for dipping a good crusty bread in.
juliebugsmama at 11:32AM on 09/02/09
Fairway EVOO cold pressed, unfiltered-$8.99
pickled at 11:34AM on 09/02/09
I want to second Fairway's olive oil selections. Some of the best olive oil I've ever bought was about $12 there.
tinkerbell82 at 11:46AM on 09/02/09
Could you do a related post on expensive olive oils? I'd love to try more of the higher-end ones, but most stores don't have a tasting option and I'd hate to waste $$ on a less-than-wonderful bottle.
tinkerbell82 at 11:47AM on 09/02/09
Cento Extra Virgin great value for the money.
harla at 11:48AM on 09/02/09
Colavita olive oil for sure! Have tried many others and nothing comes close
fancyk at 11:59AM on 09/02/09
The Whole Foods Italian 365 blend is very good in terms of bang for the buck. Now that we don't live near Whole Foods anymore, whenever I'm at a Hannafords I pick up their organic house brand (Nature's Place).
However we used to live on the Upper West Side, and I agree that the Fairway house brand is always amazing. May have to pick up a liter next time I'm down thart way.
lazerguided at 12:03PM on 09/02/09
I'll second Fairway. And...don't laugh...the Kirkland SignatureTuscan EVOO from Costco is excellent for everyday use, it is harvest-dated and I'm using up my last of the 2008 harvest now (we buy several bottles when they first get it in.)
jinx35 at 12:11PM on 09/02/09
lately I have been using Trader Joe's Spanish Olive Oil...
lunabob at 12:25PM on 09/02/09
Trader Joe's regular olive oil is pretty flavorful, even in situations where you would normally use extra virgin olive oil.
Tombolo at 12:40PM on 09/02/09
Trader Joe's Spanish Olive Oil all the way!
ruiniste at 12:53PM on 09/02/09
Try the Kirkland brand at Costco. Doesn't come in a quart size, but it's cheap and cheerful.
Jilly at 12:58PM on 09/02/09
I could have used this analysis a few days ago! I went with Colavita I think. Probably not the best choice.
pbelardo at 1:03PM on 09/02/09
More importantly can we all make a pact never to call it EVOO? It's only three more syllables to say the real name. For some reason that totally makes my skin crawl.
mgnnn at 1:20PM on 09/02/09
Goya Extra Virgin is my favorite cheapish olive oil.
townfam at 1:21PM on 09/02/09
Stew Leonard's now puts out 3 nice Olive Oils, that i belive got for $7. Prefer the Mediterranean version the best. But the Spanish one is bad either.
10956bbq at 1:24PM on 09/02/09
the Kirkland brand is what we use. tasty stuff!
falnfenix at 1:52PM on 09/02/09
It may be only three more syllables, but we're typing here. EVOO is simply easier to type.
I also use Kirkland, but my mother swears by Fresh and Easy.
meleyna at 2:24PM on 09/02/09
Colavita is pretty reliable, and easy to find here in flyover country.
susanova at 2:28PM on 09/02/09
Fairway Organic EVOO, and the Whole Foods 365 Italian or Spanish oils.
susanl73 at 2:36PM on 09/02/09
Whole foods 365 brand for me too.
hhicks at 2:51PM on 09/02/09
Another vote for the Kirkland/costco tuscan oil. Also the sicilian vintage dted kirkland is spicy
geoffpm at 3:23PM on 09/02/09
I picked up a bottle of "Trader Giotto"'s Italian EVOO the other day, and it was very tasty in my salad last night.
benbenberi at 4:31PM on 09/02/09
Trader Joe's Spanish extra virgin olive oil or Whole Foods 365 Italian extra virgin olive oil.
avaryne at 6:24PM on 09/02/09
Colavita! I only started buying it because I like the shape of the bottle and the label, but it's done well for me.
Wayward Daughter at 6:39PM on 09/02/09
I have Bertolli Extra Virgin and Classico, Colavita, and Crisco Light. Thanks for the TJ, WF and Costco tips, everyone.
betteirene at 7:53PM on 09/02/09
Kirkland brand at costco is AWESOME!! The bottle is big but I think it wprks out to be less than $10 a quart, I can't remember how much we paid for it.
http://meeksfood.blogspot.com/
surdel1 at 8:04PM on 09/02/09
I have cut back on my expensive olive oil purchases this year, and have been buying Colavita extra virgin olive oil at the super market.
It happens to be excellent for everyday cooking and salad dressings.....I do miss my Frantoia from Sicily, though.
Stacey Snacks at 11:29PM on 09/02/09
Carapelli does it for me, but I have to say it is a bit on the fruity side which can run into some things.
I would love to see this post! Though I really am rooting it is something that I can buy at a store that doesn't make it's profits by strangling small businesses, causing civil wars, and encouraging white collar mafia behavior.
Also, "EVOO" is really annoying. I don't say "BHABM" for my Blue Honda Accord Base Model, I usually just call it a Honda or an Accord, or whatever is RELEVANT to the conversation. Is it vital that Rachel Ray uses EXTRA VIRGIN in this recipe? No? Then just say Olive Oil. Or Oil. Or whatever is actually helpful. That's all, I have to tend to my BHBEWAB(brown-haired, brown eyed wife and baby).
johndoughy at 12:42AM on 09/03/09
Marca Verde -- I get it from Sur La Table. At $10/giant bottle, it's delish and great for cooking or salads.
http://www.surlatable.com/product/features/gifts+under+%2425/marca+verde+extra-virgin+olive+oil%2C+33.8+oz..do
emilyobooth at 8:05AM on 09/03/09
Vigo or other cheap Spanish oils, preferably if they're fruity.
sdillard28 at 9:07PM on 09/03/09
I was going to suggest Bertolli as well. And perhaps the Gallo ones by Unico, if you have access to them.
anonymoose at 5:29PM on 09/10/09