A taste test of supermarket extra-virgin olive oils has revealed top picks from budget to premium, with prices ranging from £14 to £18 per litre. The test, conducted by a Rome-based correspondent, assessed oils for flavour, aroma, and versatility in cooking.
The winning oil was praised for its golden colour, green and alive flavour, silky texture, and peppery finish. It was recommended for all-purpose use, including baking. Another standout was described as robust and rich, with notes of butter and walnuts, ideal for bean soups and dressings.
A third oil offered good lingering bitterness and a true olive taste, with grassy and courgette flavours, perfect for vegetable dishes and pesto. A golden-coloured oil with herbaceous and almondy notes was also highly rated, suitable for tomato sauces and fish stews.
One surprising oil was reminiscent of green herbs and tomato plants, with persistent peppery notes, making it a great everyday working oil. A functional option with grassy bitterness and a faint metallic taste was deemed acceptable for cooking and enriched dressings.
The test emphasised that high-quality extra-virgin olive oil should be fruity, not oily, and can be assessed by warming a sample in a glass, sniffing for scents like tomato vines or almonds, and tasting for bitterness and pungency.
