This Is The Best Way To Store Your Olive Oil

If you’re new to the wonders of using olive oil, there are a few things you should know about storage. One of them is, can extra virgin olive oil be stored in the fridge?

Extra virgin olive oil can be stored in the fridge if your kitchen room temperature is warmer than 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A high-quality extra virgin olive oil will store better at room temperature. If not, the best way to store olive oil is in a darkened, airtight container at a temperature of 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition, to informing you the best storage methods, this article will cover for how long olive oil can be stored.

Storing Extra Virgin Olive Oil In The Fridge

extra virgin olive oil and olive oil in a jar.
Olive oil and extra virgin olive oil

Regular olive oil can be stored in the fridge, which helps to extend its usable life. However, if your preference is extra virgin olive oil, then it would be better not to store it in the fridge. 

While it’s possible to store extra virgin olive oil in the fridge, it’s a delicate product and the refrigeration will detract from its flavor.

If you buy extra virgin olive oil, one reason is because you prefer your oil to have more flavor. Therefore, it would be best to not put it in the fridge because you’d be disappointed with the flavor when you decide to use it.

If you want to store your olive oil in the fridge, you may want to buy regular olive oil instead. You can safely store regular in the fridge since it’s a more robust product and generally has less subtle flavor tones than extra virgin olive oil.

Disclaimer: Some of links in this article are affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I sometimes will add extra virgin olive oil to an Amazon order because it can found cheaper with free shipping. If you want to compare the current prices on Amazon, you can click right here, extra virgin olive oil.

The Best Method for Storing Olive Oil

The best method to store your olive oil, whether the regular variety or extra virgin olive oil, is to be stored in a tinted, dark glass bottle or a stainless steel container. Either way it should be airtight. Keep your oil stored away from direct sunlight and any heat source, like your stove or oven. It’s best to keep it in a cool, dark location, like a cupboard, cool pantry or cella.

Storing it in such a manner will ensure the olive oil stays usable without degrading too quickly. This brings us to another aspect of storing your olive oil, how long you can store it.

Keto Diet Tip: Extra virgin olive oil a great choice for a low-carb diet. It contains zero carbs and healthy fat. One of the biggest reasons for failing a Keto diet is not having a plan. Simply follow this plan for only 28 days, The 28-Day Keto Challenge and you can Succeed!

Olive oil and avocado oil stored in Kevin Garce's cabinet at home.
Olive oil and avocado oil stored in my cabinet at home

Refrigerating Olive Oil

It’s possible to refrigerate regular olive oil which will help extend its lifespan and limit its exposure to light and air1. However, you may notice some changes to the olive oil if you store it in the fridge.

The colder temperature will cause the olive oil to become cloudy and eventually solidify into a creamy paste, similar in density to coconut oil at low temperatures2.

When your oil undergoes this change, it’s still safe to use and will return to its normal liquid state when you bring it back to room temperature. The changes to the oil will not harm it. The process of the oil returning to its liquid state takes about 30 minutes from when you take it out of the fridge.

If you’re going to refrigerate your olive oil, it may be better to pour it into a wide mouth jar. This way you can scoop out some of the solidified oil when you need to use it.

A good idea may be to decant the olive oil into smaller dark glass bottles and place them into the fridge. Store the one you’re currently using in your cabinet so don’t have to deal with it changing. Then, when your current one runs out, simply take another small bottle out of the fridge and store it in the cabinet3.

Time is the last factor besides light, heat and exposure to air that affects the quality of your stored olive oil.

Find out if olive oil or sesame oil provided the most benefits in my article, Sesame Oil vs Olive Oil: Which is Better? Let’s Compare.

photo of extra virgin olive oil.
Extra virgin olive oil

How Long Does Olive Oil Last

Olive oil is a product that’s at its best as close to harvest and pressing of the olives as possible. Once the olive oil has been pressed and bottled, it’s a race against time to use it within its shelf-life since it starts to degrade from that point on.

The fresher after harvest the olive oil is, the better its health benefits and flavor. Therefore, it’s better to purchase quantities of olive oil you’ll use within a few months.

Since it’s expensive, you may be tempted to buy it in bulk to save money. I used to do the same but the taste will suffer. A company called Corto sells it in a bag within a box with a spout. This technology is similar to what they’ve been doing with wines for years. The olive oil will stay fresher and allows you to buy in bulk.

The “expiration date” on the bottle of olive oil pertains to the shelf-life of the unopened bottle. Once you get the olive oil home and you open the bottle, the oil is exposed to the air and the process of oxidation speeds up. For this reason, the method of storing is important to get the maximum life out of the olive oil.

Olive oil does not go rancid overnight, but the actual shelf life is very dependent on how it’s stored. Olive oil has a shelf-life of up to 24 months if it’s stored correctly. Extra virgin olive oil about half that, around 12 months, since it’s a much more delicate product4.

Even though olive oil has a fairly long shelf-life, most olive oil producers recommend you use the olive oil within 3 to 6 months to still enjoy a fresh and flavorful oil.

Find out how olive oil compared to avocado oil in my article, Avocado Oil vs Olive Oil: Which is Better? A Comparison.

If you have any questions about this article don’t hesitate to comment below or email us. You can find an email on our contact page.

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The Complete Guide To Storing Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Can Extra Virgin Olive Oil Go Bad? What You Need To Know

Can I Replace Olive Oil With Coconut Oil?

A Guide For Frying With Avocado Oil

11 Reasons Why You Should Use Avocado Oil for Cooking

  1. Michigan State University: Store olive oil to avoid spoilage and maintain nutritional quality []
  2. Olive Oil & Beyond: Olive Oil Storage & Handling []
  3. Practical Gastroenterology: How to Buy, Store and Eat Olive Oil []
  4. Iowa State University: Olive Oils []

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