With the price of a standard bottle of olive oil soaring by more than 110 per cent in recent years, choosing the right one has never been more critical. What was once a kitchen staple has become a premium product, prompting a rigorous taste test to find the supermarket bottles that truly deliver on quality and value.
The Olive Oil Landscape: Understanding EVOO
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) represents the pinnacle of quality. Unlike lighter or 'pure' alternatives, it is essentially pure olive juice, extracted using a cold-press method where temperatures never exceed 27C. To preserve its fresh flavour and nutrients, the olives must be pressed within 72 hours of harvest.
Much like a fine wine, EVOO reflects its terroir, with flavours and aromas varying by region. However, it does not improve with age and is best used within two years of harvest. For optimal storage, choose dark or tinted bottles to protect the oil from light damage and keep it in a cool, shaded place.
How We Tested: A Professional Tasting Method
To identify the best supermarket offerings, we put 15 bottles of extra virgin olive oil through a professional tasting process. This involved pouring the oil into a glass, warming it with our hands, and then assessing its aroma before taking a sip. The oil was held at the front of the mouth before air was sucked in to spread the flavour. Each oil was also tested by dipping bread into it. Alongside taste and aroma, we considered versatility, value for money, and quality credentials like PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status.
The Best Supermarket Olive Oils for 2026
1. Best Supermarket Olive Oil Overall: Asda Extra Special Greek Koroneiki Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Priced at just £7 for 500ml, this oil impressed with its depth and intensity. Made from Greek koroneiki olives, it offers a fruity, slightly creamy profile with bitter and nutty notes, finishing with a pleasant, rocket-like peppery hint. Its excellent flavour makes it perfect for finishing a classic Greek salad.
2. Best Budget Supermarket Olive Oil: Aldi Specially Selected P.D.O Castel Del Monte Extra Virgin Olive Oil
At £5.49, this Italian oil from Puglia offers outstanding value. With PDO status, it delivers a big, bold flavour with fruity and herbaceous aromas, a slightly bitter and floral taste, and a long peppery aftertaste. It's robust enough to stand up to strong-flavoured foods like cold meats.
3. Best Luxury Supermarket Olive Oil: Waitrose No 1. Valli Trapanesi Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Costing £14.50, this is an oil to savour. An unfiltered, PDO-certified oil from Sicily, it bursts with intense tomato and fruity aromas and a very peppery finish. It is presented in an almost infinitely recyclable aluminium can, adding an eco-friendly bonus.
4. Best for Bold Flavour: Belazu Early Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sold in major supermarkets for around £14, Belazu's oil is made from early-harvested arbequina olives, capturing intense flavours. It has a distinctive tomato-like aroma, a balance of slight bitterness and floral sweetness, making it an excellent choice for salads.
5. Best for Everyday Use: Filippo Berio Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
A familiar and trusted brand, this 1-litre bottle (often on offer for £11) is a practical everyday choice. It's a blend of organic olives from Italy, Spain, and Tunisia, offering grassy, herbaceous notes with a slight bitterness and nutty finish, all housed in a glass bottle.
6. Best Mild Olive Oil: Waitrose Duchy Organic Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Priced at £7, this oil from Waitrose's charitable range is smooth, light, and fresh with a subtle tomato aroma and floral notes. It has a very mellow peppery hint, making it ideal for bread-dipping or for those who prefer subtler flavours.
Expert Verdict and Key Considerations
Our top overall pick is the Asda Extra Special Greek Koroneiki oil for its exceptional, well-rounded flavour at an affordable price. For a special occasion, the Waitrose Valli Trapanesi or Belazu Early Harvest oils are worth the splurge.
A common question is whether you should cook with extra virgin olive oil given its lower smoke point. While it's perfectly fine for most cooking (and a staple in long-lived Mediterranean diets), some may prefer to use a more neutral oil like sunflower for deep frying to avoid burning the more expensive EVOO.
Ultimately, with prices so high, selecting an oil that matches your taste and usage is essential. Whether you need a robust oil for dressings or a mild one for everyday cooking, our tested selections ensure you get genuine value from your purchase.
