Key facts
- Choice taste tested 30 supermarket extra-virgin olive oils.
- Australian olive oils were found to rank higher than some imported options.
- Monini Classico extra virgin olive oil from Italy scored highest at 88%.
- Cobram Extra Virgin Classic, an Australian oil, ranked third with a score of 80.
- Woolworths Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil was named best value pick with a score of 78.
- Aldi Oh So Natural Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil received the lowest score of 60%.
Consumer advocacy group Choice has conducted a taste test of 30 supermarket extra-virgin olive oils, revealing that some Australian-made products can outperform imported options from Italy and Spain. Pru Engel, Choice audience and engagement editor, noted that many Australians seek local products and that Australian olive oil makers have established a strong reputation.
Cobram Extra Virgin Classic, an Australian brand priced at $25, secured third place with a score of 80. Testers described its "fruity herbaceous aromas" and "buttery" mouthfeel. The top spot was awarded to Italian brand Monini Classico extra virgin olive oil, which achieved a score of 88% and was praised for being an "elegant and abundant oil." Another Italian brand, Villa Rossi Extra Virgin Olive Oil, took second place, noted for its "good length of persistence with balanced bitterness and pungency," despite being the most expensive at $3.50 per 100mL.
Woolworths Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil was highlighted as Choice’s best value pick, scoring 78 and costing $1.80 per 100mL. Testers noted its "native mint and some meadow grass" notes with "nice balanced bitterness and pungency." The blind tests were conducted at NSW Department of Primary Industries laboratories, focusing on "purity and freshness," as well as fruitiness and pungency.
Conversely, Aldi Oh So Natural Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, priced at $1.80 per 100mL, received the lowest score of 60%, described as having a "low intensity of flavour." Monini Organic Premium Selection and Coles Australian Extra Virgin Oil were also among the lowest scorers with 65% and 66% respectively. Chris Barnes, Choice’s product review manager, stated that "bad" olive oils often have "basic" flavours and lack boldness. He emphasized that professional taste testing involves specific chemical and sensory tests.
Of the 13 oils scoring 76% and above, seven were Australian, three Italian, and three Spanish. Engel advised consumers to choose darker, opaque bottles to protect the oil from light degradation and to store it in a cool, dark place, avoiding refrigeration. Barnes added that colour appearance should not sway perception of quality; focus should remain on "taste and mouthfeel," with fruitiness, pungency, and peppery characteristics being indicators of a good extra virgin olive oil.