Olive oil is extremely bitter - has it gone rancid?

I recently bought some organic certified extra virgin olive oil from Tunisia. However

It is a cheap brand (only $10 a litre)
The manufacturing date is Dec 2012 so its over a year old
It is packaged in a heavy, dark green, glass bottle and states it is best before 36 months from date of manufacture
It is extra virgin and organic certified by EcoCert
It tastes extremely bitter (almost as bitter as bitter-melon - if you've ever tried it )

Has the oil gone rancid? Should I throw it out?

olive-oil

Best Answer

Good EEVO from young olive trees will have a green tinged yellow colour, be astringent or peppery tasting (astringent is different from bitter, as in lemons are bitter, spearmint is astringent)

The astringent taste is a mater of preference. In my experience most people don't like it

Olive oil that has gone rancid is yellow, smells more like peanut oil or just like old grease, and tastes bitter

Oil from Dec 2012 would most likely be rancid by now, unless it was stored in light and air proof containers

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Olive oil is extremely bitter - has it gone rancid? - Crop unrecognizable chef pouring oil in frying pan

Olive oil is extremely bitter - has it gone rancid? - Necessary Ingredients in Italian Cuisine

Olive oil is extremely bitter - has it gone rancid? - Back view crop unrecognizable person pouring olive or sunflower oil into frying pan placed on stove in domestic kitchen

What does it mean if olive oil tastes bitter?

Bitterness in olive oil also indicates its freshness High-polyphenol olive oil is sold in dark or green-tinted glass to protect it from light and oxygen, so if you're buying olive oil in a clear plastic bottle, that's a surefire way to determine its quality.

Does rancid oil taste bitter?

If your oil smells bitter, soapy, or its smell reminds you of chemicals, it's most likely rancid. If smell alone isn't enough to tell if the oil is rancid, take a small sip. A harsh, bitter taste is another sure sign of rancidity.

Should olive oil have a bitter taste?

Olive oil should taste fresh, not heavy and \u201coily\u201d. Yes, bitter is good. Bitterness is a characteristic of fresh olive oil.

How can I tell if my olive oil is rancid?

If your olive oil smells borderline and you are not sure if it has gone bad yet or not, you can taste it. Rancid olive oil tastes bitter, sour and/or stale and lacks the peppery, sharp taste of fresh olive oil.

How do you know if olive oil become rancid?

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