We were shocked to find out that the olive oils that we thought were real authentic extra virgin olive oils were not! Read about The Olive Oil Fraud.
To be safe we have a list of brands we know to be real extra virgin olive oils and links if you wish to purchase online. For many of us having it delivered to your door is the only easy sure way to do so.
Updated: June 16, 2021
This post is updated on a regular basis and reflects the current information available. Due to a disease that many olive trees have been getting, olive trees are dying. If you want olive oil then you need to buy some before there is none. This is very sad.
In June 2021 I added 2 more EVOO’s.
On March 31, 2020, I added 3 more EVOO’s.
On February 8, 2020, I added 5 more EVOOs.
In April and October 2019 I added 2 on each month that are still available now. – Diana
Which Are the Real Authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oils?
These brands below have met the extra-virgin standards; this list of olive oil brands is from the research above and are authentic.
Bariani Olive Oil is Stone Crushed, Cold-Pressed, Decanted, and Unfiltered. They are committed to producing real oil which is raw. Weston Price recommends this brand.
Kirkland Organic – Amazon says: “Certified organic by the USDA. Made from the first cold pressing.” Comments on Amazon: of the 478 people who gave stars, 73% gave 5 stars. I have to say it is very delicious, tasting like real olives; I’m just finishing up the bottle I bought.
Corto EVOO – “We call it TRULY 100% extra-virgin olive oil because this full-bodied olive oil is the real deal. 70% of extra virgin olive oils on the market have gone rancid, which is why we’ve gone to extra lengths to protect ours. What makes us different is that we don’t wait until winter when the olives are over-ripe, like other brands do. Instead, we harvest in the Fall, when the olives are at the peak of freshness: green, with just a hint of violet.”
Cobram Estate – Australia’s most awarded brand
California Olive Ranch – Award-winning brand. It is in a tinted glass bottle that protects oil and is 100% grown and made in California.
McEvoy Ranch Organic – Estate-grown and produced from select Italian olive varieties, this certified organic extra-virgin oil features a grass-green color with the aroma of newly cut grass and a hint of green apple. A dark green bottle protects this delicious oil from heat and light and includes a built-in spout for easy, mess-free pouring.
Olea Estates 100% extra virgin olive oil – This olive oil is grown on a single family farm in Greece and is a great tasting olive oil. Harvested and cold-pressed on the same day to maintain all the quality, healthy natural antioxidants, and flavors of our olive oil.
Ottavio – EVOO From Italy. It is produced from olives that offer a vibrant bouquet and an extremely high-quality fresh Oil flavour, with pleasing notes of spiciness but is packaged in a plastic bottle.
Ascolano Extra Virgin Olive Oil – authentic 100% Californian oil. Currently unavailable
Two highest-scoring olive oils (both from California) from their testing were:
Trader Joe’s California Estate – has been discontinued
Other oils not available:
Omaggio – Currently unavailable.
Whole Foods California 365 – 100% Californian, Unfiltered, Cold Processed, Certified Extra Virgin – Currently unavailable.
Consumer Reports (September 2012 issue), published results of a taste test of 138 bottles of extra virgin olive oil from 23 manufacturers. The olive oil was sourced from the US, Argentina, Greece, Chile, and Italy. They found that olive oil produced in California exceeded those from Italy.
Here are 4 more very good varieties that are authentic extra virgin olive oils:
- Bertolli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made from organic olives and produced using organic farming standards. This oil was on our list of not being approved but we have now learned that was incorrect. Here is a statement from the company: “Our olive oil exceeds the rigorous and exacting standards of the International Olive Council (IOC) and European Union (EU). As proof, in 2017 alone, we achieved global recognition for the quality of our products, winning 4 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze awards at multiple prestigious international olive oil competitions.”
- Cobram Estate won the Best Olive Oil 2016 contest.
- Chacewater California Extra Virgin Olive Oil was also a winner of the Best Olive Oil 2105 contest.
- Ellora Extra Virgin Olive Oil is one of the best olive oils. It is 100% Pure Cretan Extra Virgin Olive Oil of which origin and authenticity are certified by the EU standards.
Here is another authentic olive oil I recently discovered that is certified:
Partanna Extra Virgin Olive Oil is cold-pressed oil, unfiltered oil grown and packaged in Partanna, Sicily. The Asaro family has been producing it since 1916. This EVOO has been the winner of Gold Medals at the L.A. County Fair.
3 More Good Brands I Found in March 2020
Lodi Frantoio Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Premium California Olive Oil, Certified Cold Pressed Pure Olive Oil
“Our Frantoio Extra Olive Oil carries the fruity flavor of Frantoio Olives with subtle grassy notes & a late hint of green apple; Made from handpicked local Frantoio olives.” ~ Lodi Frantoio
Casina Rosssa Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) With Sicilian Lemon. A family produced olive oil from the paradisiacal village of Roccascalenga in Abruzzo.
“I bought this the first time at an Italian specialty store in Maryland. I was delighted to find it on Amazon. It is flavorful and I use it in lots of recipes that call for lemon zest or juice.” ~ Amazon Buyer
Papa Vince Olive Oil Extra Virgin, First Cold Pressed Family Harvest in Sicily, Italy. 100% Non-Blended Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Taste Like Olives w/ hints of Tomato, Artichoke & Pepper. Raw, Unrefined & Unfiltered – to preserve nutrients and flavors that make it delicious & healthy
“This is the Best Olive Oil EVER tasted in this Blessed Life. Tried on salad mixed with Miabella Balsamic Vinegar. Mixed my own recipe for dipping.” ~ Amazon Buyer
5 Good Brands I Found in February 2020
Anatomico Organic Coratina EVOO It is made in Puglia Italy. This oil is organic and extra virgin, offering enhanced taste and greater benefits. Cold extracted, unfiltered, and obtained directly from Italian olives, this olive oil features the fruity, juicy taste of green olives with subtle hints of fresh-cut grass and bitter almonds.
Tuscan Gold Eleganza is an Italian cultivar blend. Gold medal winner at the 2019 New York International EVOO Competition and Los Angeles International Competition. One of the world’s most authentic olive oils!
“Our olives are hand-harvested, first cold press, and unfiltered. We produce quality EVOO with high to very very high total polyphenols.”
Knolive Epicure was Ranked Nº1 Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the world in 2018 by EVOO World Ranking. 100% PURE AND NATURAL
Selección Familiar is an annual limited edition extra virgin olive oil from a selection of our best centuries-old Picual olive trees. Gold medal winner at 2019 International Olive Oil Competition.
Oro Bailen Family Reserve is an Award Winning Cold Pressed EVOO, 2013-2014 Harvest. It is prepared using olives produced in the olive groves belonging to the Gálvez-González family, located in the foothills of Sierra Morena, the northern mountain range in the province of Jaén.
Here are two I just found in April 2019:
TERRA Delyssa – Certified Organic EVOO, 100% Tunisian Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil meets and exceeds USDA and International “IOC” standards for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Brought to you by the same farmers and millers that controlled the quality of Terra Delyssa from tree to bottle.
Venta del Baron Award Winning Cold Pressed EVOO – For four years running, Venta Del Baron took 1st place in the World’s Best Olive Oils as awarded by World’s Best Olive Oils competition winner 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016!
Here are two I added in June 2021 thanks to the 2 comments below.
Mina Extra Virgin Olive Oil is made with Moroccan olives sourced from a single estate family farm and traceable to the tree. Unblended olive oil indicates a commitment to excellence, consistency and traceability. This modern process ensures the finest quality in extra virgin olive oils. The olives aren’t pressed, but rather cold extracted to uphold the integrity, flavor and nutrition of the fruit.
Al Ard Palestinian Olive Oil is 100% natural, contains no additives, 100% organic and free from preservatives. Al’Ard- Palestinian olive oil is obtained from squeezing the fruits of olives, a tree that grows in the Mediterranean basin.
Olive oil is my favourite for making salad dressings and I always use one of the authentic extra virgin olive oils.
Here are 5 delicious salad dressing recipes with authentic virgin olive oils:
Olive Oil Lemon Juice Salad Dressing
Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing
Raspberry Lemon Salad Dressing
READ Inflammation: Is it Good or Bad for Your Body?
We hear about inflammation often but do we really know what it is? Inflammation is an important immune system function. When it is out of control, it can cause serious damage. Inflammation has been linked to major diseases such as Alzheimer’s, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and signs of aging. There’s good news: many foods are naturally anti-inflammatory. Adding Natural Anti-Inflammatory Foods to your meals is a very good way to reduce inflammation. Antioxidants found in foods protect your cells from the effects of free radicals and can help reduce an overabundance of inflammation in your body.
What an excellent survey–thank you. I highly recommend the book Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil by Tom Mueller, a fascinating, even thrilling look at the olive oil industry by a man who is crazy about olives. Mr. Mueller says most of the olive oil sold in North America is of the quality Italians call “lampante” — fit only for burning in lamps.
I’m sorry however if you think Kirkland EVOO and California’s EVOO comes remotely close to being high quality – you have not tried exquisite olive oil. This degree of olive oil will not feel like a mouth full of oil like many on the market do. I hope the vast majority of people reading articles like this, read with a grain of salt because I am living proof!
What brands do you consider exquisite? Serious question.
Thank you so much for this! Could you please clarify about the Kirkland extra virgin olive oil? I heard the large bottles are questionable regarding quality. (And I believe they’re in plastic bottles). Can you please address these issues? Thank you!
Good commentary but please comment on the larger sizes of olive oil from Costco’so Kirkland brand sold in plastic.
Is that Cobram Estate instead of Cobran?
Barbara & Judith, Kirkland Organic has been verified as being good but I agree that plastic bottles are not a good idea. I have not seen the large bottles yet.
Margie, woops for the typo. Thank you for telling me as it is now corrected.
The McEvoy Ranch olive oils are delicious as well and can also be bought online: https://www.mcevoyranch.com/olive-oil-from-mcevoy-ranch.html
Where can I purchase DiStefano extra virgin olive oil
193397 2420some genuinely choice content on this internet site , saved to my bookmarks . 252880
We are very glad to see that Ellora Farms EVOO was mentioned in the best oils category. This is truly a brand and product of love and dedication over the years. World’s first 100% traceable olive oil for consumers, Ethically produced and bottled at source, European Union PDO Certified, 100% Single Origin and Single Estate, Koroneiki Variety Olives, Fresh harvest and cold extraction with mechanical means, Non GMO, very low Acidity….it really cannot get any better. The product has over 100+ five star reviews on Amazon from verified buyers.
Must see video | http://bit.ly/Elloravideo
i like ancient foods keros evoo from 1000 yr old trees, very good and sells out fast, i believe trees also record and have inter intelligence and when you consume as a living thing can transfer history and intelligence of tree to the user.
what about Member’s Mark from Sam’s Club? distributed by Sam’s West
thanks!
I live in Penticton bc Canada and have not found any of the good olive oils you mentioned. I boght acropolis 500 ml for $22.oo I am sure its real as it has all the numbers and letters you talked about. it is good but expensive.
I made the mistake of perchasing the Bertolli brand at Super Store here in Canada. After some research online, I discovered that this brand is actually on of the fake ones! Deregulation, thanks to our governments is putting the health of Canadians and Americans at risk! Thanks Real Food For Life!
Amen!!
you are so right!! Shawn
Whole Foods is listed elsewhere as failing the tests of being unadulterated olive oil.
What about terra delyssa
Extra virgin olive oil
Tunisian
Organic sold at Costco dark glass bottle
Actually, 99% if not 100% of the “extra virgin” olive oil in the market is FAKE ! You name it, its all fake including the biggest and most popular brands, which is even more dangerous.
An authentic bottle of cold pressed “extra virgin” olive oil will cost around 30 – 38 EURO to produce. You should find that same bottle in the store at 70-90 EURO, and the chance of buying a real bottle of olive oil is high. Unless, they try to sell a fake bottle of olive oil using soybean oil for 90 EURO.. which they would gladly do for the money ! I mean who wouldn’t ??
So, sorry to say but, there is absolutely no chance of buying a bottle of real “extra virgin” oil, unless you press them yourselves !
I farm my own small orchard and just produced my first harvest. The chemical test came back as extra-virgin. Next year I plan on completing COOC certification for added quality assurance
Olive oil lovers, take heart: there is A LOT of excellent olive oil in the market. The key question is how to get your hands on them. For instance, see the winners of the 2017 New York International Competition; https://www.bestoliveoils.com/
Note that there’s a sizable number of the very best produced in the US. We have over 500 producers in California, and more in Texas, Georgia, Florida, Oregon and even Arizona.
Check out the certified Extra Virgin olive oils by the California Olive Oil Council (https://www.cooc.com/seal-certified-oils/), many of them winners in NY.
Keep in mind that ALL olive oils degrade over time. Check the Harvest Date and/or the Best Before Date on the label. Use fresh oil, of less than 18 months. Store it away from light and heat. Use it promptly (hint: don’t buy a 1 gallon container if you use small amounts). Once you develop a taste for the really good EVOOs, there’s no turning back… Enjoy!
Thank you so much CM because there’s a lot I don’t know about choosing the right olive oil there’s a lot of olive oil blends, which I don’t want! and those fake olive oil‘s are expensive. also which is a waste of my time. Thank you again.😊
Hi!
How do
You rate the authenticity pf Member’s Selection Vold Pressed extra virgin olive oil?
@Alan — Pretty sure Member’s Mark is made by Colavita. HTH.
thanks Morgan! I should have known better than to trust the Walton crime family
I am from india . And want to buy original olive oil for my hair and dry body and face .
I bought Kirkland organic based on this list. After 3 days in the fridge it was still predominately a liquid. Hi sent this an indicator it is NOT only olive oil??
I poured some of my Costco brand into a small bottle in fridge and it became solid!
I bought Kirkland organic based on this list. After 3 days in the fridge it was still predominately a liquid. Isn’ this an indicator it is NOT only olive oil??
So HEB extra virgin olive oil is not authentic? Are you positive?
If your buying your olive oil from a discount store then I cam promise you it’s most likely fake. Real Olive oil should be in a dark glass bottle and carry the authentic olive oil seal on the lable. Also real olive oil will not solidify when put in the fredg overnight.
Who authorizes the authentic olive oil seal you are referring to and what does it look like?
And just so you know, real olive oil DOES solidify in the fridge.
After years of buying the California Olive Ranch olive oil I’ve found the old standby replaced in many stores with California Olive Ranch – branded "Destination Series" oils (which, according to the label, consists of a blend of oils from California, Argentina, Chile & Portugal. Can I trust this product as much as I could the California Olive Ranch oils promised to come from California?
Hello Diana,
we recently started importing premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil form Olivo Real. Is a family business with an excellent product. They harvest, press and bottle the olive oil at their premises and print in their label harvest date, best before and lot number to certify its authenticity and freshness. We would be very happy to send you a sample and write you more about this olive oil. We are based in Ottawa, there are a few specialized shops that carry it but also sell directly through our website pepesmarket.com. We ship Canada wide, free shipping on orders of $35CAD or more.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Isidro
Apologies, Isidro for such a late reply. Sounds like you have good olive oil. Let’s work together.
Hi,
Thank you for your post however, I don’t feel that Californian or Kirkland brand are top quality olive oil.
In my opinion Palestinian olive is the highest quality olive oil from the holy land.
I am using these two brands. Al Ard brand and Zatoun that are available in Canada and the US.
Traditional Greek olive oil from Kalamata is good as well.
Hi Adam, finally get back to you. I did some research and found that Al Ard Palestinian Olive Oil is 100% natural, contains no additives, 100% organic and free from preservatives so I added it to the list of good olive oils. Thank you.
What is the opinion on Mina olive oil?
Barbara, I looked up Mina Extra Virgin Olive Oil and it sounds like a very good olive oil. Thank you for telling us about it. I just added it to the list above
Good Day! How about Doña Elena Extra Virgin Olive oil? Is it authentic? Thank you!
Who makes a EVOO that actually has a verifiable amount of Eleocanthal in it?
Can’t get factual answers from Hypereleon, nor from Dr. Colbert for his Eleocanthal pills touted to be 2250 mg of Oleocanthal.
Beginning to think all the EVOO hype of it containing any appreciable amount of Oleocanthal is just sales scams…
Dear Daryl Methvin,
This is Dimitrios from G-TEAM, producer of Hypereleon. It has come to my attention that you believe we do not make our product’s polyphenol content clear, however, we have always done so from day one – so your comment indeed left us all a little puzzled. We are passionate about what we do and we stand behind our company and operations 100%. We strive to deliver exceptional EVOO products that are backed by superior support, and this is valued and appreciate by our most loyal customers. And so, I would like to personally take this opportunity to clarify some important facts and celebrate the truth about Hypereleon – which involve the following five points.
1. First of all, you commented that you “Can’t get factual answers from Hypereleon”. However, this can’t be true. We responded to your email on Friday the 24th of September, 2021, at 01:03am. That’s within 24-hours of receiving your message.
2. Hypereleon is a 100% PURE, natural, and organic high-phenolic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). Stringent testing has proved time and time again that our products are 100% free from processing, with NO additives, NO pesticides, and NO chemicals used in the production process whatsoever. In this regard, it is certainly an unjustified attack to claim that Hypereleon makes use of additives, food supplements, and drugs/medicine. This is completely untrue, therefore, the claim is unjustified.
3. Every single Hypereleon product is subjected to world-class quality control in line with the strictest international standards. These quality control processes take place at the finest independent laboratories on the planet who know what they’re doing when it comes to preserving intrinsic EVOO quality and confirming world-class phenolic content. As our most loyal customers know and appreciate, we value transparency above all else. We also have all the relevant certificates which are available upon request, which further prove that your claims about Hypereleon are certainly not true. We have the proof on our side.
4. To add to this proof, we also have a Health Claim Label in line with the E.F.S.A’s European Regulation. The E.S.F.A ONLY awards this label to EVOO products that are confirmed to contain the world’s finest Health Protective Characteristics and standards. Clearly, Hypereleon is certainly transparent about the polyphenol quality of its products, and we’ve been open about this from day one.
5. We have 49 international awards, won in the most demanding and challenging EVOO competitions worldwide. This is testament to the undeniable quality and health-protective phenolic content captured in every precious bottle of Hypereleon’s EVOO.
Ultimately, we hope this dissolves what is clearly a misunderstanding on your part. Please also remember that Hypereleon reserves the right to take legal action against untrue claims and unjustified, inaccurate, and offensive attacks and defamation of this nature. Should you have any further questions or concerns, remember we’re always only an email away – and as you indeed know, we respond to all queries within 24-hours.
Yours sincerely,
Dimitrios Mourlas,
Founder of G-TEAM
Sounds thorough. Now where can this data analysis be found? I’d like to see these findings before I shell out $200.
Much appreciated
Who makes an EVOO that has a verifiable amount of Eleocanthal in it?
ml in bottle, or mg in a tbsp..
Who makes an EVOO with a verifiable amount of Oleocanthal in it?
Dimitrious, I recently purchased a bottle of your Ultra Gold Hypereleon EVOO which claims a "supremely high" concentration of polyphenols. The stated polyphenol concentration for this particular oil on the bottle is "at least 5mg" per 20 g of oil or 250mg/kg oil. This concentration is the minimum concentration that allows a company to advertise its oil as high in polyphenols. At 100 US. dollars for a little over 8oz of oil and a claim of "supremely high" polyphenol concentration, I expected more than "at least 250mg/kg". Some companies specify via certified analysis of their oil very high PP concentrations that are >1000mg/kg. Of course, "at least 250/kg" could be >1000mg/kg; however, if the oil is known by the company to be that high it would definitely be advertised as such as opposed to a claim of at least 250mg/kg. I use/buy EVOO for the PP content and concentration so that is very important to me. Before I purchase another bottle of your product can you point me to a reputable source that provides a more specific or accurate PP concentration for the Ultra Gold Hypereleon oil (preferably certified)?
Ageed, Jim, agreed!
Seems, no one has a clue about Olive Oil.
Could you please tell me if the olive oil, terra dellysa it’s really a good olive oil? The reason I’m asking is because it’s so inexpensive and yet claims to be extra-virgin and organic. I keep one and there’s got to be something wrong. I appreciate your time. Thanks Peter.
Look at the article where I posted:
TERRA Delyssa https://amzn.to/2V6I3Va Certified Organic EVOO, 100% Tunisian Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil meets and exceeds USDA and International “IOC” standards for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Brought to you by the same farmers and millers that controlled the quality of Terra Delyssa from tree to bottle.
Arlotta Food Studio’s premium, extra virgin, first cold-pressed olive oils are organic, Kosher, and produced on their family groves in California. They’re delicious and are available in flavor infused varieties that make these excellent for foodies
Hey, what about Rincón de la Subbética organic, supposedly it is worlds best olive oil few years in a row now, i think it is a good one.
Thanks for providing so much information about evoo oil. I was a little confused about the purity of evool oil. After reading this post I come to know the merits of orignal evoo oil. you have also provided the famous brands which provide authentic evoo oil.
Now all is clear, thanks for the help in this question.
I found that Terra Delyssa olive oil did not pass the refrigeration test as it stayed perfectly clear and liquid and pure olive oil should turn cloudy and semi solid.