Extra virgin olive oil is a fresh fruit juice, and as such it starts losing aromas from the day it is bottled. The good news is that storing it well is simple: you just need to protect it from its three enemies. This is how olive mills do it, and how you can do it at home.<\/p>\n\n
In short<\/p>\n
Light, whether sunlight or fluorescent, speeds up oxidation. That is why a quality extra virgin should never be sold or stored in clear glass exposed to light. In a few weeks it can lose much of its aroma and develop a rancid defect.<\/p>\n
High temperatures speed up all the reactions that degrade the oil. The most common place to keep oil (next to the hob or above the oven) is precisely the worst. Ideally, use a pantry or closed cupboard at a stable temperature of between 15 and 20 \u00b0C.<\/p>\n
Every time the bottle is opened, air gets in, and with it oxidation. A half-empty container has a lot of air in contact with the oil. So close it tightly after each use and avoid buying sizes you will keep open for months.<\/p>\n\n
In quality mills, freshly extracted oil is kept in stainless steel tanks<\/strong>, in cool, dark cellars. Many also use an inert gas, such as nitrogen, to push the oxygen out of the empty space in the tank. The oil is left to settle so that remaining water and pulp sink to the bottom, and it is bottled gradually throughout the season, according to demand.<\/p>\n\nWhich container to choose<\/h2>\n
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Container<\/th> Protection<\/th> Best for<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n Dark glass<\/strong><\/td> Good against light if deep green or amber<\/td> Everyday use and premium oils<\/td><\/tr>\n UV-protected or painted bottle<\/strong><\/td> Very good<\/td> Delicate oils and gifts<\/td><\/tr>\n Tin<\/strong><\/td> Complete against light<\/td> Sizes from 250 ml to 5 l<\/td><\/tr>\n Bag-in-box<\/strong><\/td> Complete against light; the bag shrinks and keeps air out<\/td> Families and heavy users<\/td><\/tr>\n Plastic container<\/strong><\/td> Limited, especially if clear<\/td> Only if used quickly or decanted<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/figure>\n