Olive Oil 101 HOW TO PROPERLY STORE OLIVE OIL

HOW TO PROPERLY STORE OLIVE OIL

Exposing olive oil to direct light, heat, or air will cause it to break down and go stale. Like many pantry essentials, olive oil can turn stale or even rancid when not adequately cared for.

Premium olive oils are typically sold in dark glass bottles that shield them from UV light. However, it’s still best to store your olive oil away from windows or fluorescent lighting in a dark cabinet or closet at room temperature. 

Avoid storing olive oil near heat-producing sources like ovens or stovetops as heat will also damage its contents. Experts also agree that keeping olive oil in a refrigerator is not a good idea. Temperature fluctuations can cause condensation and a cloudy appearance.  

Lastly, once you open a bottle, cap it back up quickly and tightly to minimize its exposure to oxygen. 

Because olive oil tends to have a shelf life of about one year, it’s best to purchase it in small quantities regularly and pay attention to the harvest date.