We Ranked 12 Olive Oil Brands and You Can Buy the Winner at Whole Foods

Since 2007 I've been writing about food, on my blog, The Food Hunter's Guide to Cuisine. Throughout the years, I've dedicated countless hours to discovering unique ingredients and experimenting with them in the kitchen to inspire my followers.

And as much as I love trying new-to-me ingredients, I also enjoy doing a deep dive into cooking essentials, like extra virgin olive oil. As passionate home cooks, my husband and I use the versatile oil pretty much every day, but choosing the perfect “everyday” bottle of EVOO can be daunting. The olive oil selection at the grocery store is vast and if you widen your search to online options, you really have a lot of choices. Sometimes, in the quest for simplicity, we settle for the most budget-friendly option, but that's not always the best way to choose an olive oil.

To help us (and you) decide which oil you should stock in our kitchen, we did a blind tasting of a dozen readily available extra virgin olive oils. We went in with some guesses about which brands would come out on top, but found some surprises along the way. Before you make your next batch of salad dressing or sauté those vegetables for dinner, check out our list of 12 extra virgin olive oils, ranked worst to best.

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How We Ranked These Olive Oils

Fueled by curiosity and armed with blindfolds, eager taste buds, and the support of trusted culinary friends, we embarked on a sensory adventure. We poured each sample into clear cups so tasters wouldn't know which brand they were sampling. Each taster was given a scoring sheet for taking notes and ranking the contenders.

We tried small sips of straight EVOO to make sure we were judging the oil instead of whatever we were eating the oil on or with. With each sniff and slurp, our mission was clear: to demystify the complexities of this essential ingredient and empower fellow kitchen enthusiasts to make confident, informed choices.

Keep reading to uncover the oils that passed our discerning taste tests and those that fell slightly short, guiding you towards the olive oils worth embracing and those best left on the shelf.

12 Popular Olive Oils, Ranked From Worst to Best

12. Pompeian Organic Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The tasting team opted to try Pompeian primarily due to its popularity and widespread availability. However, this decision ended up being less than satisfactory. The oil left an unpleasant, lingering bitter aftertaste at the back of our throats, disappointing all of us unanimously. With a price tag slightly over $10 for a 16 fl oz bottle, our expectations were high for this popular brand, but it ended up at the bottom of the list.

11. Kirkland Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Considering the significant amount of oil my husband and I consume on a weekly basis, we were eager to try this Costo contender. Its generous size and cost-effectiveness seemed like the perfect fit for our needs. Boasting a well-rounded flavor profile and the ability to adapt seamlessly to various cooking techniques such as sautéing, roasting, and frying, we could imagine it becoming a staple in our kitchen.

Howeve,r the plastic packaging emerged as a major concern for us and the other tasters, leading to a noticeable consensus that Kirkland is not an ideal choice for others who may not use up the oil as quickly as we do.

10. Lucini Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Opinions within the team varied significantly regarding the Lucini brand olive oil. While it earned high praise as "one of my top choices" from some team members, others criticized it for being "too overpowering" in flavor. This strong difference in opinions led to some lively discussions, confirming just how subjective taste preferences can be. Because it was so divisive, we ranked this bottle in the bottom third of the list.

9. Frankies 457 Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Bold and nutty, Frankies EVOO is crafted from fully organic Nocellara del Belice olives grown and harvested in Sicily. While we found this oil particularly suitable for cooking, we unanimously agreed that it would not be a good choice for dipping, and that suited us perfectly fine. Its robust flavor and thicker consistency makes it a stellar companion in the kitchen, even if it isn’t a “dip-worthy” oil.

If you're into spicing things up, Frankies also has a Calabrian chili oil, which is perfect for giving your dishes that extra kick. It would be particularly delicious drizzled over fresh tomato pasta or mixed into Mediterranean lentil salad.

8. Partanna

Highly esteemed in Italy, this oil offers a robust flavor profile that pleasantly surprised the group with hints of almonds and a lingering, subtle peppery finish. One taster described it as "truly versatile," and I would have to agree.

This oil is perfect for stir-frying, sautéing, and baking. While it might not be readily available at your local grocery store, you can easily purchase Partanna olive oil online. It's sold through various retailers and e-commerce platforms like Amazon, and specialty food websites such as World Market. However, I caution you to check availability and compare prices across different retailers to ensure you're getting the best deal, as the Partanna brand can be a bit pricey.

7. Trader Joe's Imported Olive Oil

If you're seeking a straightforward and mild olive oil, Trader Joe's is worth considering. Its subtle flavor profile makes it well-suited for a range of cooking applications, from sautéing to marinating. It's an excellent choice when you want to add a touch of olive oil without overwhelming the other ingredients' flavors.

6. California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Generally positioned as a premium brand, California Olive Ranch was a standout choice among the oils we sampled, most notable for its slightly thicker consistency compared to others. This feature adds a luxurious texture to dishes, elevating their overall mouthfeel.

The oil's flavor profile presents subtle hints of peppery notes, which contributes to a nuanced taste experience. The team agreed it's an excellent all-around choice for most everyday culinary needs.

5. Graza Sizzle + Drizzle

The Graza brand offers two distinct oils: Drizzle, designed as a finishing oil, and Sizzle, intended for cooking purposes. Despite both oils being sourced from Spanish Picual olives and presented in convenient squeeze bottles, their similarities end there.

While there was hopefulness surrounding Sizzle, it unfortunately fell a little short, leaving the group mildly disappointed with its pungent flavor. However, the team unanimously praised Drizzle, deeming it one of their top choices. They liked the idea of pouring it lightly over pasta just before serving and even trying it on vanilla ice cream. As a result, the team agrees that if used for their intended purposes, this duo is worth stocking up on.

4. Colavita Premium Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The Colavita brand has been a staple in my kitchen for years, consistently ranking as one of my top picks. Its perfectly balanced taste makes it a delightful addition to any dish, enhancing rather than overshadowing other flavors.

While it may not have the robustness desired for dipping, it still emerged as a favorite among the tasters in our group due to its adaptability in the kitchen.

3. Laudemio

Laudemio, which is made by the Frescobaldi family in Tuscany, was a fan favorite at the tasting. Its aromatic and flavorful profile, distinguished by a robust peppery essence, captivated our taste testers, earning it the distinction of their preferred finishing oil. This premium brand, steeped in medieval tradition, can be found online and at Whole Foods.

2. Rao's Homemade Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Rao's might be known for its pasta sauce, but the brand's oil also made a lot of fans at the tasting. The oil has a luxurious golden color and a silky-smooth texture. Its flavor profile features fruity undertones with a subtle hint of pepper, striking a perfect balance that enhances the taste of dishes without overwhelming them. Bonus: The swank bottle will look great sitting on the counter or the table.

Related: I Tried 24 Rao's Sauces (Including the 6 Brand New Ones) and the Winner Tastes 100% Homemade

1. Bono Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The Bono brand of olive oil was the unanimous winner. Hailing from a family-owned business in Sicily, this oil delights with vibrant fruity notes that gently crescendo into a satisfying peppery finish at the rear of the palate. Bono's remarkable flavor is ideal for bringing out the best in every ingredient it accompanies, enhancing a wide variety of dishes, from simple salads to complex gourmet creations. You can buy Bono oil online, but it's also available at many Whole Foods locations, so chances are good you can pick up a bottle locally.

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