We talk a lot about buying great olive oil and storing it properly - but what happens if you suspect your EVOO might have gone off?
Let’s dive into how you can spot a bad bottle—and what to do if it happens.
How to Tell if Your Olive Oil Has Gone Bad
Smell Test
- Good EVOO should smell fresh, green, fruity, or peppery.
- Bad EVOO often smells like crayons, putty, Play-Doh, wax, or old peanuts.
This is usually a sign of oxidation or rancidity.
Taste Test
- Good EVOO tastes vibrant—sometimes grassy, herbaceous, nutty, peppery.
- Bad EVOO will taste flat, greasy, musty, or even slightly sour or metallic.
Look Test (But less important)
Color can vary naturally between oils (green to gold), so color alone isn’t reliable.
Still, if your oil looks murky and smells off, it’s probably time to move on.
What Happens Chemically?
Over time (or with heat, light, and oxygen exposure), the healthy fats in EVOO oxidize.
This breaks down the polyphenols and healthy compounds—and creates unpleasant flavors and smells.
How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
- Unopened and properly stored: 12–18 months from harvest.
- Opened: Best to use within 3–6 months after opening.
Always check the harvest date, not just the “best by” date.
(And remember: fresh is best!)
What To Do If It’s Gone Bad
-
Don’t cook with rancid oil!
Bad EVOO doesn’t just taste bad—it also loses its health benefits.
It’s better to toss it or, if you hate wasting, use it for non-food purposes (like conditioning wooden utensils or oiling garden tools). -
If you’re not sure:
Trust your nose and tongue. Humans are surprisingly good at detecting rancidity once you know what to look for.
Your Turn
Have you ever caught an olive oil turning bad?
Ever found a great trick to make your oil last longer?
Let’s swap tips below! 
Luca
Tags:
tag:olive-oil-quality tag:evoo-storage tag:oxidation tag:rancid-olive-oil tag:olive-oil-tips