If you shop at Costco and use a fair amount of olive oil, you have probably picked up the Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Or at least considered it. But did you ever wonder how it stacks up against other extra virgin olive oils that are on the market? And what is so special about extra virgin olive oil anyway? Recently, results from a UC Davis study were released regarding the standards of extra virgin olive oils that are on the market in the US. After looking at the results, it’s clear that the Kirkland Signature extra virgin olive oil is not only a great bargain price-wise, but is also some of the best quality olive oil on the market in the US.
But before I get to the exciting bit, I’ll fill you in on a bit of olive oil information. Currently, the US is the third largest market for olive oil with Americans consuming more than 75 million gallons last year. That figure represents a doubling in US consumption over the last decade. As a result of this growing level of consumption, I’m sure, the USDA has decided that it is time to start getting a little more structured about what can be sold as ‘extra virgin’ vs. ‘virgin’ olive oil. So, starting in the fall, the USDA will roll out new, voluntary, labeling standards for olive oils sold in the US. This is great for consumers because it means that companies will have to start being more up front about the acidity levels of their oils, as well as the process they used to extract the oil from the olives. More knowledge about what you’re eating is always good, right?
So, for all of us that are wondering, the different classifications of oil are based on the production method, acidity levels, and the taste. The less mechanical or chemical intervention, as well as the lower the acidity level, the better the quality of the oil. Here’s a how the IOOC (the International Olive Oil Council, not something the US belongs to for some reason, but governs the standards for the rest of the world) quality standards for retail olive oil labels, and most likely what you’ll see in the stores:
- Extra-virgin olive oil comes from virgin oil production only, contains no more than 0.8% acidity, and is judged to have a superior taste. Extra Virgin olive oil accounts for less than 10% of oil in many producing countries. It is used on salads, added at the table to soups and stews and for dipping.
- Virgin olive oil comes from virgin oil production only, has an acidity less than 2%, and is judged to have a good taste.
- Pure olive oil. Oils labeled as Pure olive oil or Olive oil are usually a blend of refined and virgin production oil.
- Olive oil is a blend of virgin and refined production oil, of no more than 1.5% acidity. It commonly lacks a strong flavor.
- Olive pomace oil is refined pomace olive oil often blended with some virgin oil. It is fit for consumption, but may not be described simply asolive oil. It has a more neutral flavor than pure or virgin olive oil, making it unfashionable among connoisseurs; however, it has the same fat composition as regular olive oil, rendering it the same health benefits. It also has a high smoke point, and thus is widely used in restauraunts as well as home cooking in some countries.
- Lampante oil is olive oil not suitable as food; lampante comes from olive oil’s long-standing use in oil-burning lamps. Lampante oil is mostly used in the industrial market.
- Refined olive oil is the olive oil obtained from virgin olive oils by refining methods that do not lead to alterations in the initial glyceridic structure. It has a free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, of not more than 0.3 grams per 100 grams (0.3%) and its other characteristics correspond to those fixed for this category in this standard. This is obtained by refining virgin olive oils with a high acidity level and/or organoleptic defects that are eliminated after refining. Over 50% of the oil produced in the Mediterranean area is of such poor quality that it must be refined to produce an edible product. Note that no solvents have been used to extract the oil, but it has been refined with the use of charcoal and other chemical and physical filters. An obsolete equivalent is “pure olive oil”.
So, now that you know all that, we can finally get down to the test results from the UC Davis testing. The team from UCD tested 19 different brands: 14 imported and five California made. All bottles were purchased in March at supermarkets or big box stores in Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles counties. Testing was conducted on three bottles of each brand from each location. The team worked with Australian olive experts and used international standards for evaluating extra virgin olive oil. All of the oils were evaluated both by chemistry and a panel of trained tasters.
Of the imports, only Kirkland Signature Organic passed all the extra-virgin standards with samples from all three locations. Samples of Bertolli, Pompeian, Carapelli, Mezzetta and Mazola failed from all locations. Of the California-made brands tested, all bottles of Corto Olive, California Olive Ranch, McEvoy Ranch Organic and Lucero met the extra-virgin criteria. Here’s a listing of all olive oils tested and how many of their samples passed:
Kirkland Signature Olive OIl
Imported Olive Oils:
- Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: All samples passed.
- Great Value 100 percent Extra Virgin Olive Oil: One of three samples failed.
- Star Extra Virgin Olive Oil: One of three samples failed.
- Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Two out of three samples failed.
- Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Two of three samples failed.
- Newman’s Own Organics Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Two of three samples failed.
- Rachael Ray Extra Tasty Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Two of three samples failed.
- Safeway Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Two of three samples failed.
- 365 Everyday Value 100 percent Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Two of three samples failed.
- Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Three of three samples failed.
- Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Three of three samples failed.
- Carapelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Three of three samples failed.
- Mezzetta Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Three of three samples failed.
- Mazola Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Three of three samples failed.
Domestic Olive Oils:
- Corto Olive Extra Virgin Olive Oil: All samples passed.
- California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil: All samples passed.
- McEvoy Ranch Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: All samples passed.
- Lucero (Ascolano) Extra Virgin Olive Oil: All samples passed.
- Bariani Olive Oil Extra Virgin Olive Oil: One of two samples failed.
The UCD research team found that 69 percent of the imported oils sampled failed to meet internationally accepted standards for extra virgin olive oil. By comparison, only 10 percent of the California-produced oils in the test failed to meet those standards. And again, I’ll reiterate that of the imported olive oils, only the Kirkland Signature Organic had all of its samples pass the tests. The reasons that the oils might not have met the extra-virgin standards are due to oxidation, adulteration with cheaper refined olive oil or poor-quality oils made from damaged and overripe olives, processing flaws or improper oil storage.
So, the result of this is that if you are going to buy an imported extra virgin olive oil, you really should be shopping at Costco and buying the Kirkland Signature brand. Otherwise, you’re just not getting the best quality you could (and you’re probably paying too much to boot).
For more information, use the following links:
- The Sacramento Bee: UCD tests ‘extra virgin’ olive oil claims
- Wikipedia: Olive Oil
- The Costco Connection: Costco Brings “Made in Italy” to Your Table
1
Robert //
2013.02.25 at 10:10 pm
The people who were involved in writing this dont know much about olive oil quality. Costco has very little if anything that is quality
2
Wade Butler //
2013.02.12 at 8:07 pm
Ive been reading all this good stuff about Kirkland Organic EVOO, and I dont see how it is so great! We put our bottle in the fridge yesterday, and so far it has FAILED FAILED FAILED FAILED the fridge test!! Are we the only ones that this is happening to??
3
Kimberly //
2013.02.12 at 9:28 pm
@Wade – why would you put it in the fridge? What’s that supposed to test?
4
Wade //
2013.02.15 at 8:47 am
Kimberly, any extra virgin olive oil that is genuine, will become cloudy and thicken, possibly even solidify in the fridge, it is one of the standard tests to determine if evoo is genuine. As an update to my post though, my Costoc evoo finally DID turn cloudy and thicken, it just took a few days because my fridge was a couple of degrees higher than the required 39. My apologies to Costco for jumping the gun on this.:):)
5
Kimberly //
2013.02.15 at 5:59 pm
@Wade – I assumed that was what you were testing. Did you know that some brands winterize their olive oil so that it won’t go cloudy until below 32 F? I don’t think Costco does because my mom’s always turns solid in her fridge. Just know that putting it in the fridge isn’t a foolproof test since it can also depend on having your fridge at a temperature at or below 34 F, I think. And of course, there are warm spots in fridges too that don’t actually get as cold as they should, etc.
6 Bacon Fried Collard greens with Mushrooms, Onions and Asparagus « Rock Like Grok // 2012.12.08 at 6:45 pm
[...] 1 tbsp olive oil (I use Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Costco – Seriously it’s the best and cheap too!) [...]
7
na //
2012.08.15 at 12:31 am
Costco sells organic evoo in 1.5 LTS 2 – pack bottles as well in California(San Jose, at least). Perhaps other states don’t have organic evoo?
8
Mario //
2012.06.22 at 9:09 am
I assume the tested Kirkland Organic Extra Virgin Olive oil (EVOO) is the one that says USDA Organic on it. See the eBay link for a picture. $30 on eBay is a little too expensive for me.
I have not tried or seen the tested version in NY. The olive oil I love is Kirkland Extra Virgin Olive oil imported from Italy from Italian olives and is First Cold Pressed. It is NOT the Filippo Berio version, even though that says Kirkland on it too. I have not seen it in a while in Long Island, NY Costcos. I do see the regular olive oil in the same plastic bottles but not the extra virgin. The Kirkland EVOO that is imported from Italy from Italian olives and is First Cold Pressed is excellent.
FYI – Many years ago Consumer Reports rated GOYA Extra Virgin Olive Oil as very good and a best buy. It comes a small glass bottle. I like it.
9
Jerry //
2012.04.30 at 1:15 pm
Costco (Kirkland) olive oil is excellent for the price. It is .50 free acid(must be no more than .80 evo in CA and Europe) , from Tuscany,( the olive trees usually highest in oleic acid=good acid)and has IGD designation (the best is DOP=more expensive) Their one liter bottle is about $12. What a steal. And it does have some pepper after taste which is very good-means fresh and good quality, and good polyphenols.
At times, I will buy 375ml CA evo for $13. Such as Appolo. it’s Baruni has an intense pepper after taste, which I like, and therefore excellent polyphenols. One liter equals 1000ml.
10
marty //
2013.04.17 at 12:42 am
This olive oil tastes great! I’ve found less expensive but none better.
11
David Ho //
2012.01.13 at 9:44 pm
Hi there! Found your article while looking around for the smoke point of this oil. Do you (or anyone else out there!) happen to know what it is? I’ve been purchasing the KS EVOO from Massachusetts locations for a couple years now. The branding on the bottle is KS Filippo Berio Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I bought it without knowing much about it other than it was in Costco under the KS brand which I’ve found to be of great quality across the board be it food, luggage, clothing, or whathaveyou.
I’m gathering from the comments that there is a obviously some variety by location or simply a number of different EVOO sold under the KS brand associated with Filippo Berio or Toscano. Confusing! Do you happen to know where we can find some clarity about which product was involved in that test?
Love the blog – whether or not your getting a nice backrub from Costco it’s quite useful
12
P.O. //
2011.12.21 at 1:57 pm
Please, can someone advise where I can buy this oil?
It appears to be the Kirkland Extra virgin obtained exclusively from Italian olives and not organic.
I can not find it anywhere-
Thanks,
p.o.
pesach770@verizon.net
13
Kimberly //
2011.12.23 at 5:12 am
@P.O. – I’m not sure what you mean exactly. But the only place you can get Kirkland Signature anything is at Costco.
14
Jeannie Kret //
2011.09.09 at 1:46 pm
there are less expensive olive oils in the market but what I have found with products from Costco is that they do not sell the “cheapest” PRICE but the QUALITY is truly unsurpassed for very reasonable price – and this actually goes for all of the goods – be it cheeses, meats, breads, etc. Etc.
I made the mistake of purchasing rib eye at a VERY large retailer because I thought the price was reasonable and I must say it was truly the worst piece of meat I have ever bought bar none!
I LOVE Costco and when friends say “Jeannie’s store” – everyone knows it means “Costco”!!!
15 How quickly does olive oil go bad? | Mark's Daily Apple Health and Fitness Forum page // 2011.08.22 at 10:14 am
[...] huge gallon (2 2-quart jugs) of olive oil at Costco since it's rated so well at such a great price: Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil Best Imported Oil | Addicted To Costco! However, I'm going to be the only person consuming this oil, and was wondering if it would be [...]
16
Laura //
2012.08.22 at 3:29 pm
Olive oil goes bad in 12-18 months, sooner if left where it can get hot (in sunlight, near a heat vent, etc).
17
dave //
2011.01.19 at 3:37 pm
i use the carapelli for lower cholesterol???? and now you say its not really what they claim!?!?!?!!??!?!
are you fucking serious
18
bayda asbridge //
2010.12.28 at 1:14 pm
Costco in NH and MA doesn’t stock our favorite oil (Kirkland Extra Virgin Olive Oil Toscano). Is it the case in all of its branches? We are very disappointed!
For the doubtful, I was raised in Middle East with a family that works with olive trees and making olive oils. This oil is as close to what i had in my childhood as it gets.
I hope they will stock it again.
19
wendy //
2010.11.01 at 8:28 pm
Actually we purchase the Kirkland Signature Organic extra Virgin Olive Oil All Natural Cold Pressed 1 litre dark brown glass bottle sold in Ontario Canada. I have never had a rancid bottle and I do not get a headache from it (I am very chemically sensitive) and find it tastes wonderfully mild – great for salads or for baking homemade fries
20
Kimberly //
2010.08.25 at 9:50 am
Yes, that’s one one I was thinking might be the organic version. Oh well, I give…what’s the organic one then?
21
Justin //
2010.08.25 at 9:48 am
The Kirkland glass bottle one from Costco is called Toscano, but it doesn’t say it’s organic anywhere on the bottle I can see. They still sell it when it is available
22
brian //
2010.08.25 at 9:29 am
i’m a bit confused and wonder if someone knows the answer.the only organic evoo sold by costco is made by filippo berio(stated on label) which failed in 2 of 3 uc davis tests.the picture in this article is a costco non organic bottle.which costco brand passed all 3 tests?
23
Kimberly //
2010.08.25 at 9:38 am
@Brian – Yeah, sorry to confuse things but I put that picture in before I re-read things and realized that wasn’t actually the KS oil they were talking about. I’m honestly kind of confused about which one they tested, as I think the Berio and Kirkland Signature oil is pretty new to the line up. Costco used to sell a Kirkland Signature extra virgin olive oil in a glass bottle that I think might be the one they are referring to in the testing. However, I can’t remember the details about it at this point.
24
Justin //
2010.08.10 at 1:34 pm
Does it say which EVOO from Costco was tested? The big bottle, or the smaller 1 litre bottle?
25
Kimberly //
2010.08.10 at 1:53 pm
@Justin, they say it was the ‘Organic’ version, which I believe is the smaller glass bottle. But honestly, I’m not positive because I didn’t think that was called Organic, but something like Tuscan or Limited Edition.
26 Win Some • Lose Some « The Big Mattress // 2010.08.08 at 4:58 pm
[...] Costco gets points. [...]
27
Kimberly //
2010.07.31 at 2:01 am
I don’t have the street cred of living in Italy, but the KS stuff that I’ve had is very good. It never has that ‘off’ smell about it and has a really nice clean taste that is light and fruity. I haven’t had the Trader Joe’s olive oil but I’ve heard other very good things about their items and assume they have a quality very similar to what you can find at Costco.
The UC Davis researchers say that they picked who to sample at random, so I doubt there was some nefarious plan. And yes, obviously what they were trying to prove was that the imported stuff is often suspect but the California stuff was of excellent quality. I’m not sure why that is a bad thing though because the majority of oils tested came from the most popular brands of imported olive oil. I still say, great for Costco’s Kirkland Signature oil to be the only imported stuff that passed the test.
And maybe I’m just obtuse but what is this referring to: “2-pet jugs”?
28
tle //
2010.07.30 at 3:44 pm
some of other brand claim to be virgin oil but has other oils like canola, peanut.. blended in with the olive oil. I tasted Trader Joe’s and Kirkland, can’t tell the difference. I am not an expert but my tongue won’t be able to discern the high end stuff so I don’t have to buy it.
29
Emily (Bentobloggy) //
2010.07.30 at 11:56 am
Well, I LOVE the Kirkland olive oil, it’s all I buy. We have a friend who lives both here in the US, and in Italy, and was visiting last month, and she grabbed the bottle on my counter and asked me where I got it. She says that she only ever sees olive oil that color sold in Italy, and tasted it and said it was superb.
30
Ed DeSoto //
2010.07.30 at 10:00 am
Costco got a big break, as the testing committee did not test your 2-pet jugs, if they had, they would have failed
miserably, that stuff is pure garbage and if i am not mistaken, those are your #1 sellers.
The test was very slanted, they did not check out Trader Joe’s nor did they check out all Imported oils,so they only targeted those oils that were suspect to begin with.
It is for the COOC and not the comsumers, it was used only to promote Calif growers and then just a few of them………………
VERY MISLEADING AND SLANTED!
31 Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil Best Imported Oil … | ClubEvoo // 2010.07.29 at 1:49 pm
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