The experts strongly warn against purchasing olive oil, one of the most essential ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine,in pet bottles or clear glass bottles. Mehmet Özgü Manisalı, Graduate of Izmir University of Economics and Creator of ‘Özem Zeytinyağları’ (Olive Oils) stated that the product spoiled as it stood on the shelves and the healthy phenolic compounds disappeared.
Manisalı reported that the label should include information such as production, harvest, filling, expiration date, geographical indication, information about the olive type, etc. “You need to avoid purchasing, consuming olive oil in clear glass bottles, and especially pet bottles. Extra virgin olive oil dissolves the chemicals found in pet bottles which transmit to the olive oil thus posing danger to human health. Also, since the clear bottles are transparent, the light destroys the chlorophyll in the olive oil and spoils it,” said Manisalı.
‘The Lid Matters’
Manisalı stated that the package lids should be sealed and screwed in, and people should avoid buying products with cork lids since they let air in and cause olive oil to oxidize and spoil. Manisalı said that buyers should not base their decisions on the color of the product because the color did not state the quality of the olive oil, and users should opt for products stored away from sunlight.
How to Store Olive Oil
Manisalı, who suggested buying olive oil in small packages if not going to be consumed in short time, stated the following:
“Don’t buy a 5 liter package just because it is economic. Also, don’t open another hole to let it flow easily. Keep it in a dark, cool cupboard away from the stove or other heat-producing appliances. A room temperature about 18 - 22 degrees is good to store olive oil. Recently, unfiltered extra virgin olive oil is stored in bottles. Unfiltered extra virgin olive oil with particles in it spoils quicker. Remember that heat, air, and light are the enemies of oil. Extra virgin olive oil should not recall fresh fruit smells. Contrary to popular belief, dishes cooked with extra virgin olive oil do not smell bad. Rancid oil has foul smell.
