The market is rigged with low-quality, fake olive oil. That means that the chances of buying counterfeit olive oil are high. The only sure way of getting great olive oil is from a certified distributor or directly from the producer. Fortunately, we have come up with a list of brands that sell counterfeit oil. These are olive oil brands to avoid at all costs.
You can tell if olive oil is counterfeit in simple ways that we will show you. But first, we will provide you with a list of fake olive oils.
Let’s dig in;
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Carapelli
It might be a surprise to see this brand appearing on this list, especially because it is extremely popular and has a great reputation in the market. However, in 2015 and 2010, the brand did not pass as Extra Virgin Olive oil.
The Italian Authority, as well as the University of California, proved that they had marked some poor-quality olive oil as Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO).
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Mazola
This brand is quite popular too. They claim to have the best extra virgin oil with great flavor and aroma. Unfortunately, reviews from different stores say that this is one of the fake extra virgin olive oil brands out there. Most people claimed that the olive oil had a bad taste.
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Mezzetta
This might be a great brand to most people and no bad accusations have been provided against it. Nevertheless, certain people recognize the brand’s oil as oil with a bad flavor. It is labeled horrible flavor.
If you know a real supplier or a trustworthy distributor, you can choose to get them. Otherwise, there are chances that you might receive counterfeit products.
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Primadonna Olive Oil
This brand falls under this category mainly because it failed to meet the requirements that were set for EVOO. The brand denied these findings but it is not possible to know who is wrong. Safer to avoid
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Pompeian Olive Oils
Is Pompeian Extra Virgin olive oil a good brand? One of the counterfeit olive brands is Pompeian olive oil. There have been many disappointments regarding the taste of the olive oil. Most people claim that it has a very small amount of taste that is similar to extra virgin oil.
Great Olive Oil Brands
Which olive oils are real? It is important to go through the brands that we can run to when we need some good quality olive oil. The real olive oil brands are:
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Kirkland Organic
This brand is USDA-certified organic. It is made from the initial old pressing. When you check online and offline markets, you will realize that this brand has received great reviews. What is the healthiest brand of olive oil? To be honest, this is among the top brands that have great, nutritious, and tasty olive oil. It is quite similar to real olives.
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Barlani Olive Oil
When it comes to quality olive oil, this might be the best in the market. It is cold-pressed, decanted, unfiltered, and stone crushed. These are processes that they go through to produce high-quality olive oil that we enjoy so much.
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Corto EVOO
A good-grade olive oil makes some good food that has amazing taste, flavor, and nutrition. This is one of the brands that produce that great stuff. The olive oil they make will not go rancid quickly and is produced in just the right conditions.
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McEvoy Ranch Organic
This is olive oil that is made of selected olive types that have specific features such as fresh aroma, green color, and a lot more. The oil is packed in a bottle that will protect it from light and heat so that it maintains its high quality for a very long time.
How to tell if you have Fake Olive Oil
Check the Label
To identify olive oils to avoid, you have to consider the label. You must purchase olive oil that has the words “extra virgin” on its label. This by itself might not be a sure way of telling the fake from the real. But at the same time, if you do not consider it, you are surely getting low quality.
Harvest Date, Mill, or Estate Name
If there is information that is quite specific, it is better. You will have a certain date of harvest or a “pressed on” date. These are better oils.
If you find an estate or producer name, you can be more certain it is genuine.
Third Part Seal of Certification
You should consider the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), DOp, or other seals that protect the quality of the oil.
Tips for Using Olive Oil
Cooking with olive oil is an art, and we’ll equip you with valuable tips to make the most of this flavorful ingredient. From proper storage to ideal cooking temperatures, you’ll gain insights that enhance your culinary skills.
Cooking with Confidence
Once you’ve selected a high-quality olive oil, the next step is incorporating it into your cooking routine. We’ll provide tips and tricks for using olive oil in various culinary applications, from salad dressings to sautéing.
Signs of Poor Quality
Identifying poor-quality olive oil goes beyond reading labels. We’ll explore the subtle signs that may indicate a less-than-authentic product, ensuring you can recognize and avoid subpar options with ease.
EVOO Australian Oil
If you notice that the extra virgin olive oil is from Australia, we suggest you purchase it. The country has some very strict measures of testing to make sure that the olive oil is the best. This is the same with Chile. None of the oil made is sold a year later.
Related: Is Filippo Berio Olive Oil Real
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Is Bertolli Olive oil fake?
Answer: Bertolli organic olive oil is made using organic olives. What’s more, it is produced using strict standards of organic farming.
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What is the difference between Virgin olive oil and extra virgin olive oil?
Answer: The main difference you will find between these oils is the processing.
Extra virgin olive oil is not processed so much. Instead, it is cold-pressed. That means that no chemicals or heat are used to process it. It has high levels of anti-oxidants because of the large number of polyphenols that will maintain its taste, flavor, and color.
The acidity levels of virgin oil are higher. It goes through more processing compared to extra virgin olive oil. Riper olives are used in its processing, which means lower quality.
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Which brand of olive oil has the most polyphenols?
Answer: The highest polyphenol content was found in the following brands: Lucini Organic Premium Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil with 442 mg/kg, Foxy Extra Virgin Olive Oil with 500 mg/kg
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Is California Olive Ranch a good brand of olive oil?
Answer: California Olive Ranch is a good brand of olive oil. Their oils are very high quality and come from the best olives and processes. You can buy their products online or in stores. They have many different types of extra virgin olive oils, including flavored ones like garlic, lemon, basil, and rosemary.
California Olive Ranch was founded in 1999 by the Torre Family. They grow their olives on the California Central Coast, which is one of the best-growing regions for olive trees in the world. The Torre family has been growing olives in California since 1913 when they first came to America from Italy. They grow more than 100 varieties of olives on their farm, but they focus primarily on Arbequina, Manzanillo, and Mission olives because they produce high-quality oil with strong flavors.
California Olive Ranch has won many awards for its extra virgin olive oil over the years because it’s so delicious and healthy for you! Many chefs use this brand because they know it’s made with care and quality ingredients that produce amazing flavor profiles.
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What brands of olive oil come from Israel?
Answer: The most famous brands of olive oil in Israel are Galili, Ptora, and Galilee Green.
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Is Lucini a good brand of olive oil?
Answer: Lucini is a good brand of olive oil. I’ve been using them for many years and they are my favorite brand of olive oil.
Lucini has many different types of olive oil available, including extra virgin, flavored, and infused varieties. They also have a line of balsamic vinegars which are very popular.
Some of the most popular products from Lucini include: Lucini Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil – this is one of the best-selling olive oils in America and can be found at most major grocery stores.
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What brand of olive oil is made in Morocco? Is olive oil from Morocco good?
Answer: Olive oil from Morocco is a very good choice. The country has a long history of producing quality olive oils, and their products are well-known throughout the world. One of the best-known brands is Kasbah. Their extra virgin olive oils have won numerous awards for taste and purity. They also make flavored oils such as rosemary and thyme. Other good brands include Mina, and Morocco Gold.
All of these brands use traditional methods of production that have been passed down through generations. The olives are handpicked and pressed within 24 hours of harvest to ensure they retain their freshness and flavor. They use only natural ingredients like sun-dried sea salt or herbs to create unique blends that can’t be found anywhere else in the world!
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Is colavita a good brand of olive oil?
Answer: Colavita is a good brand of olive oil. It has been around for decades and is known for producing high-quality olive oils.
The company has earned numerous awards over the years, including being named one of the best olive oil companies in the world.
The company also has a line of flavored oils, as well as balsamic vinegar that have been infused with various herbs and spices. These include basil, garlic, rosemary, sage, and thyme. If you’re looking for a great-tasting salad dressing or marinade then you should try one of these products. They come in both bottles and bulk containers so you can buy what works best for your needs and budget.
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Is Basso olive oil a good brand?
Answer: Yes, Basso olive oil is a good brand. It is an Italian company that has been producing olive oils since 1891. The company offers a variety of olive oils to suit different tastes and preferences, including extra virgin olive oils, light and fruity olive oils, and aromatic or spicy varieties.
Basso produces its own line of quality products that are made using traditional methods and practices. The company uses state-of-the-art technology to ensure that the best possible quality is achieved in every batch of oil produced by Basso.
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Is Gallo a good brand of olive oil?
Answer: Gallo is a good brand of olive oil. They make several different varieties, including extra virgin and organic.
The brand has been around for decades, so you know their products are high quality and have stood the test of time.
They sell their products at supermarkets and other stores like Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Whole Foods Market.
Wrapping Up
You should be well aware of the type of oil you are purchasing. You should consider staying away from the olive oil brands we have warned against and purchase the right oils for your family. You should also follow the set guidelines to help you make a good decision. As long as you have a great quality of oil, the food you make will be worth it.
For further reading:
- Is Vegetable Shortening the Same as Vegetable Oil
- Does Cooking Oil Freeze?
- Mixing Cooking Oils When Frying Guide
Feel free to share your observations with me in the comments section!
Also, if you find the information in this post to be useful, be sure to share this post with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
How is it that brands like Pompeian and Whole Foods and many other which have NAOOA seal on them are considered to be fake? But Kirkland which is doesn’t have the seal is considered to be authentic?
There are different ways to check whether a certain oil brand’s products are fake or authentic. The seals and certifications on the bottle is one way, but not the only one you should check. Even though it might have that seal, there might be other factors that suggest it is not authentic. The others, such as Kirkland, might not have the seal but have other features or aspects that prove its authenticity.
Is Delio Organic Olive Oil EV real? having a hard time finding real olive oil in Qatar. I suspect 99 % is fake.
Hi Russ, You can identify if olive oil is real or fake in different ways. Check the label for an ‘extra-virgin’ label, consider the harvest date and the mill name, and find any third-party certification label. You should also trust your senses and do not fall for any fancy packaging or high price tags. They do not reflect quality.