Reviewers say the following about shopping for olive oil.

  • If you can, buy extra virgin. By far the most popular kind of olive oil, "extra virgin" means the oil comes from the first pressing of the olives and includes no refined oil. "Pure" or plain olive oil is considered inferior in quality to extra virgin, and not that much cheaper.
  • Buy in small quantities at first. If you're unsure whether a supermarket-brand olive oil is right for you, try buying a size smaller than the standard 17-ounce bottle. This is especially good advice if you're buying an expensive imported oil (provided the smaller sizes are available).
  • Educate your palate. If you really want to investigate the infinite permutations of olive oil, consider signing up for an olive-oil tasting, which will tell you what to look for in a premium (or supermarket) oil. Then you'll be much better equipped to choose among the imported and artisanal brands. Hosting an olive-oil tasting at home has become a fun party idea.
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