Kitchen

[Irish Rosebud]

The commenting period is closed on the other EVOO thread, so I started this new thread for those who are interested.

The September issue of Consumers Report has a very good article on EVOO. The taste tests were conducted blind with two experts on three separate lots for most brands of oil. The full article does address many of the issues brought up in the other thread, including US and international grading standards, definition of cold press, how to store, etc.

Here are the results [brand/cost per oz.]:

Excellent (strong, complex, very fresh-tasting; best drizzled over food to add flavor)

McEvoy Ranch/1.73

Trader Joe's California Estate/0.35

Very Good (fresh complex oils that complement many foods)

O-Live & Co./0.53

BR Cohn California/1.79

Lucini Premium/0.93

Kirkland Signature Select Tuscano/0.35

365 Everyday Value 100% California Unfiltered/0.38

California Olive Ranch/0.42

Good (except for Newman's Own, the top brands had slight flaws and the rest more obvious problems, but most would be fine for cooking)

(In order, top to bottom) Newman's Own Organics, Colavita, Filippo Berio Organic, Star, Archer Farms

Fair (few positive attributes, all tasted stale, most had other flaws as well)

(In order, top to bottom) Pompeian, Crisco, Great Value, Goya, Filippo Berio, Bertolli, Mazola

Poor (flaws can't be masked either straight from the container or in cooking)

Botticelli, Pompeian Organic, Capatriti

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Trader Joe's, Kirkland, and 365 Everyday were rated best values. Both of the top two brands are from California.

I bought the TJ's a couple of days ago. I think it was $5.99 for 16.9 oz. It's green and comes in a dark green glass bottle. It's so cheap I plan to use it for drizzling, salad dressings, and cooking.