Olive oil, a common cooking oil in the kitchen, can be a source of lingering concerns. If you’ve been using it for too long, you might wonder if it’s expired. Today, we’ll explain whether olive oil actually expires and how to tell if it’s gone bad.

Olive oil shelf life

Most olive oils have an unopened shelf life of approximately 18 to 24 months after being bottled. The International Olive Oil Council even stipulates that unopened olive oil should only be kept for 12 to 18 months. However, olive oils with a shelf life of three years are also available on the market.

It’s recommended to refer directly to the best before date or expiration date on the bottle. However, once olive oil is opened and exposed to air, oxidation affects its quality. Therefore, it’s best to store it within one to two months of opening.

Use your olive oil completely and keep the bottle capped securely. If you notice any unusual flavor or a noticeable oily smell from rancidity during this time, it’s recommended not to use it.

Why do different olive oils have different shelf lives?

This is because the production process varies, such as when olives are harvested and pressed for oil. It can also be due to differences in how the olive oil is stored. Therefore, the shelf life of different olive oils varies; there’s no single, absolute limit.

How to Store Olive Oil

Olive oil should be stored in a cool, dark place. Besides oxygen, light and heat can also cause it to spoil. It’s recommended to store olive oil in a cabinet with a door, or in the refrigerator.

However, olive oil may become slightly hazy after refrigeration, but this is not a cause for concern. This is a normal phenomenon as the temperature drops and doesn’t indicate spoilage.

There’s also a certain skill to consider when choosing an olive oil container. These glass bottles are typically dark in color, such as dark green or dark amber. This dark color helps block light, preventing the oil from affecting its quality.

When choosing olive oil, try to choose products with darker glass bottles and avoid those in plastic or metal containers to prevent contamination. If you don’t use much olive oil in your cooking, buy a small bottle to avoid wasting it.

Is olive oil gone bad or not?

Olive oil should be a colorless or pale yellow, transparent liquid. If it becomes cloudy, thick, or has any other unusual texture changes, it’s not recommended for use.

The only reason it becomes slightly hazy is because it’s been refrigerated.

If the olive oil smells sour, rancid, or otherwise unusual, it’s gone bad and should not be consumed.

If you can’t tell from the appearance or smell of the olive oil, you can taste a small amount to see if it’s bitter, sour, or has any other unusual smell to determine if it’s spoiled.