Storing olive oil – keeping it fresh for a long time

Your olive oil feels best when it is stored in an airtight container in a dark, cool place. This will preserve its fragrance, taste and valuable health-promoting substances for 24 months or even longer.

What is the best way to store olive oil at home?

1. Temperature:

If you want to store olive oil for a longer period of time, it is best to keep it at home at cool temperatures – ideally between 10° and 20°C.

2. Light:

Protect your extra virgin from light!  Like wine, olive oil is best stored in dark bottles in the kitchen or in a canister in a cool, dark cellar. It will then stay fresh for up to 24 months or even longer.

Of course, you can also store olive oil in light-colored bottles for a few months without any problems. However, you should then choose a dark place, such as a kitchen cupboard or a closed pantry.

3. Air

Oxygen is the enemy of olive oil. It deprives the oil of its aromas. Make sure that olive oil bottles and canisters are always sealed airtight.



Can I store olive oil in the refrigerator?

Yes, olive oil can in principle be stored in the refrigerator. The (only) advantage? It stays fresh a little longer.  Please note, however, that olive oil solidifies at temperatures below 8° C. Cooler temperatures also deprive the oil of its aromas and therefore its good taste.

At room temperature, the oil automatically returns to its original liquid state and aroma. However, this takes quite a while.

Can you freeze olive oil?

Olive oil can be frozen without any loss of quality or taste. Our Italian producers assure us that freezing does not result in any loss of quality or taste. In Italy itself, olive oil from smaller producers is often stored outside in winter.



Here you can see what happens when frozen olive oil thaws

Why is my olive oil flocculating? Is it bad?  

Particularly good olive oils are especially rich in secondary plant substances. These include waxes from the olive skin. These get into the olive oil when the olives are pressed.

When the high-quality oil is now in the bottle, these waxes are deposited at the bottom. At cooler temperatures, they can flocculate or form streaks in the oil.

Don’t worry! Flaking is a natural process that indicates the original, natural character of the olive oil. Flaking does not result in any loss of quality. You can use the oil as normal and enjoy it or give it as a gift.

If you heat the cold oil or leave frozen olive oil at room temperature for a day or two, most of the flocculation will dissolve.