Home cooks are only just discovering the true purpose of the small plastic tab found on olive oil bottles, with many hailing it as a game changer in the kitchen. The tab, often discarded after opening, can actually be used to control the flow of oil and prevent over-pouring.
A TikTok video, originally shared by @foodies and reposted on Twitter, demonstrates the simple hack. The user removes the lid and the green tab, then inverts the tab and reinserts it into the bottle's neck. This creates small openings around the edge, allowing the oil to pour out slowly and precisely.
The trick has been praised by viewers, with one commenting: "That's handy! They could have told us!" Another said: "Manufacturers should be telling consumers how to use their products in the first place." A third added: "Sometimes I believe great engineering just goes unnoticed."
For those looking to perfect their oil usage, Food Network recommends using just enough to lightly coat the pan's bottom—typically one to two tablespoons. The NHS notes that olive oil contains healthy monounsaturated fats, but moderation is key as a single tablespoon contains 119 calories.
