Olive Oil is such a precious ingredient these days (it feels like it costs the same as some people’s rent). And when it comes to preserving its flavour, there are superior materials that should be used for storage and other materials that should be avoided at all costs.
How packaging impacts olive oil quality
Olive oil takes a long time to produce, from creating the perfect conditions for olive trees to thrive, to making sure the orchard gets enough water to produce hearty fruits, and then taking the time to harvest, clean, and press the olives for clean and pure oil. You don’t want to go and waste all that energy spent during production and store olive oil in plastic containers.
Olive oil is incredibly sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen, with exposure to any one of these elements can speed up oxidation and rancidity. The one mistake that many people make is storing it in containers that are detrimental to its overall shelf life: plastic.
The problems with plastic containers
We get it. Plastic containers are super affordable and come in all sorts of convenient sizes and shapes, from three-litre bottles to squeezy bottles perfect for adding that last drizzle on a dish. I mean, we see the pros all over the world use plastic bottles to store their olive oil, so what’s the big deal?
Usually, these plastic containers are used to store olive oil for service, and will be used up within a night or two. And that’s fine. The problem starts when olive oil is stored for long periods of time in plastic.
This can cause:
- Chemicals to leach into the oil over time
- Oxygen to seep into the oil because plastic is porous
- The shelf life to drastically reduce, degrading the flavour, aroma, and health benefits of the oil
Why glass is the best choice
Glass containers, particularly dark glass, are the best option, with metal as the next best. Glass containers might not be as durable or cost-effective, but their benefits outweigh these cons.
- Non-reactive and impermeable: Keeping the oil pure and free from added chemicals
- The glass is protective: It helps to protect the oil against oxygen and heat exposure
- Dark glass shields oil: Dark glass helps shield oil from damaging light
- Recyclable and reusable: Pick any glass jar or bottle to store your oil in
- No threat of microplastics: Sure, glass may break, but there’s no risk of ingesting or releasing microplastics into the environment
How to store olive oil for maximum freshness
- Keep bottles sealed tightly
- Store in a cool, dark place like a cupboard
- Use within 6 to 12 months of opening
Olive oil is one of the most expensive ingredients that is super sensitive to the elements. It deserves to be stored in glass (or metal) containers to preserve its quality, flavour, and health benefits. Make this small switch for better-tasting dishes, and your stomach will thank you!
