How can I tell if my extra virgin olive oil is rancid? [closed]

I couldn't tell by smell if my bottle of Great Value olive oil was rancid or not - and decided to taste it to check - about 2 teaspoons. It had the bitter, peppery sorta burn in the back of my throat that some people have said is characteristic of good olive oil.

Is it likely that it is rancid? I can't quite describe its smell or taste.

Best Answer

Good olive oil is supposed to have a peppery burn in the back of your throat. It is also not uncommon for it to have bitter elements. There is no way to discern if your oil is bad by your description. Olive oil that has been exposed to heat or light, or is just old, will no longer smell fresh. Fresh olive oil generally has grassy aromas with some olive mixed in. Rancid oil might smell waxy, some describe it as smelling of old crayons or old walnuts. It might taste fatty, as opposed to fresh and grassy. If it is rancid, couple of teaspoons is not going to cause any harm.

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Does olive oil go bad if not opened?

OLIVE OIL, COMMERCIALLY BOTTLED - UNOPENEDProperly stored, an unopened bottle of olive oil will generally stay at best quality for about 2 years. Should you refrigerate olive oil? Refrigeration is recommended in very hot, humid conditions.

Can you smell rancid olive oil?

Extra virgin olive oil may have aromas of freshly cut grass, fruit, or herbs among others . Rancid oil smells like crayons, wet cardboard, sawdust or putty. Finally, taste the oil by taking a sip of the oil. You may detect other flavors like green apple, citrus, grass, artichokes or herbs.

What is the shelf life of extra virgin olive oil?

Many people save good quality extra virgin olive oil for special occasions, but it's a fresh product that should be consumed! Once bottled, olive oil has an 18-24 month shelf life so extra virgin olive oil should be purchased within 12 to 18 months of its harvest date and should be used up within six months of opening.

How can you tell if olive oil is rancid?

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