Does Olive Oil Ever Expire?

Yes, olive oil can expire. Here's what to know.

Extra-virgin olive oil is freshly squeezed fruit juice. I know that might sound weird, but olives are a type of fruit, and olive oil is what you get when you crush and process them. Fruit juice. While a bottle of olive oil has a much longer shelf life than a carton of orange juice, it will go bad eventually—especially if you store it improperly. Here's how to see if your olive oil has gone off, and what to do to extend its shelf life.

When Does Olive Oil Expire?

We go through a steady stream of olive oil at our house, so I usually go for the largest bottle I can find. But if you aren't as heavy-handed as I am, buy it in smaller bottles. Once it has been bottled and sealed, olive oil typically has an 18 to 24-month shelf life. Extra virgin olive oil undergoes less processing and lasts a shorter time, about 12 to 18 months. Some bottles list a harvest date to help you determine the age of your olive oil.

Olive oil is not like wine; it will not improve with age. This means you should definitely open up that fancy oil your cousin brought you from her trip to Italy that you've been saving for a special occasion. But once you open that bottle, it's best to use it within a month or two. Oxidation, or exposure to air, causes the quality of oil to deteriorate and eventually turn rancid.

How To Store Olive Oil For A Longer Shelf Life

In addition to air exposure, high temperatures and sunlight negatively affect the quality of olive oil. Look for containers made of tin, stainless steel, or dark glass to reduce exposure to light. Dark plastic containers also provide some protection from light, but because plastic is permeable, air exposure can cause the oil to turn rancid more quickly. This may not be a problem for families who go through a bottle of olive oil quickly, but you may want to avoid plastic if your bottles tend to sit in the pantry untouched.

It goes without saying that you shouldn't transfer your oil to a clear glass bottle unless you intend to use it very quickly. Also, store bottles in the pantry, not on your countertop. Definitely don't leave your olive oil sitting next to the stove. Oil that is stored in a dark, cool spot will last the longest.

How To Tell When Olive Oil Goes Bad

It helps to know what fresh olive oil smells like so that you'll recognize when it goes off. Depending on the type of olives used, the oil can vary in flavor and aroma, ranging from spicy to buttery to floral. But when it is fresh, good olive oil will have a bright, grassy, "green" smell. If your oil smells rancid or—as some report—like a box of crayons, it's time to replace the bottle.

Still not sure? Taste a teaspoon of the oil. Oil that has expired, was made with less-than-fresh olives, or wasn't made with olives at all (it happens) has a flat or even musty flavor. And there won't be a peppery kick in the back of your throat—which is a good thing. According to California Olive Ranch (my favorite grocery store brand): "A mild stinging in your throat is a good thing and demonstrates that the oil is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols. Bitterness at the back of your tongue is also a good thing and is a sign that what you are tasting is indeed an extra virgin olive oil." So-called light olive oil—it's more processed, not a diet product—will have a light color and milder flavor.

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