Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil

When it comes to the best olive-oil bang for your buck, Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil gets top honors from several review sites, with high praise for its robust olive taste. Produced in Spain, Goya Extra Virgin is made from the first pressing of Spanish olives, which accounts for the intense olive flavor mentioned by many reviewers. Two more factors -- affordability and availability -- also add to its popularity. While retail prices can vary by as much as a couple of dollars, Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil typically costs around half the price of a popular premium priced Spanish import, Columela Extra Virgin Olive Oil (*Est. $19 for 17 oz.).

Experts tell us that, in the end, it's all about the olive taste -- and several reviewers agree that Goya stands up well compared to more expensive premium oils when it comes to robustness of flavor. This is why, in many taste tests, it fares better than another comparably priced supermarket staple from Italy, Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil (*Est. $8.50 for 17 oz.).

Most reviewers use the low-tech (but highly effective) testing methods of slurping (from a spoon) or dunking (with good bread). According to the experts, flavor is the first consideration, followed by other factors such as aroma and color. Since taste assessments are subject to unscientific personal opinion, most review sites have a panel of olive-oil experts -- some even trained in International Olive Oil Council standards -- to conduct these tests.

In a highly informative 2004 report on inexpensive, supermarket-staple olive oils, ConsumerReports.org tackles the question Why are some olive oils pricier than others and are they worth the difference? In a blind taste test of 18 extra-virgin olive oils, testers compare Goya and other supermarket-shelf brands to some of the premium-priced oils, with some surprising results. In a similar taste test of both inexpensive and premium-priced olive oils, Washington Post reviewers -- three prominent area chefs -- name Goya Extra Virgin as their best value olive oil, citing its high-quality flavor (including its peppery kick) and affordability.

However, not all taste buds are alike. A 2008 review from a reputable site gives Goya a lower ranking, with testers making comments ranging from mild and neutral to metallic.

Among foodie sites, SeriousEats.com selects Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil as a top choice because of its dramatic "bitter, but not crazy bitter" flavor, and several user threads on foodie sites RoadFood.com and Chowhound.com are full of enthusiastic postings for this popular product of Spain.