What kind of olive oil do you buy?

For salads and dippings I mail order from California Olive Ranch once a year after each fall harvest and get a couple of difference varieties. So far I have tried Limited Reserve, Arbequina, Miller's Blend. For cooking and everyday use, I get a California olive oil in 1.5 liters from Whole Foods. I am cautious with imported European oils. I am sure there are good ones out there, but I do not feel I am knowledgeable to know the difference.

I like Zoe for dipping and dressings, and the cold-pressed unfiltered EVOO from whole foods is what I use for cooking.

This post, on the blog of cookbook author Domenica Marchetti, is helpful:
http://www.domenicacooks.com/2012/09/qa-with-olio2gos-luanne-savino-oloughlin-and-a-book-signing-in-fairfax/#more-5901

I will miss living in Philadelphia: we buy a very nice olive oil from Claudio's on 9th St that they import themselves -- their "house" olive oil. It's very well-priced for a buttery oil that's also a little spicy and fruity. A great everyday olive oil that I will miss sorely when I move.

Frantoia (our favorite), Ranieri, Lucini: Never had a bad one.

I like Sicilian Selezione from Trader Joe's

Also, the oil I purchased recently from Trader Joe's is dated 12/13, so yours dated 11/12 has been hanging around a long time and perhaps exposed to light.

Be aware that Trader Joes has several house brands of Olive Oil. the one I am holding in my hand now is Trader Giotto's 100%Italian President's Reserve EVOO Cold Pressed; the olives are grown in Puglia and Calabria. This was 5.99, .50 cents over another line, maybe yours.

Consumer Reports recently did an article on EVOO and it only gave highest marks (Excellent) to McEvoy and Trader Joe's California Estate (not sure of cost, but I did see one called Premium at 7.99.) Their experts tested 23 oils and only found 9 free of flaws (stale, fermented, barnyard.)

Rated Very Good were Kirkland Signature Select Toscano, Whole Foods 365 Everyday 100% California unfiltered (both Best Buys), California Olive Ranch, O-Live & Company, B.R. Cohn, and Lucini Premium.

I have the tasting comments if anyone wants them on one or two of the oils.

If you go to COOC.com (California Olive Oil Council) there is a lot of info about olive oil and a list of the producers who have earned their seal. (We are not listed for 2012 because we did not produce an oil this year)

Trader Joe's has a Spanish blend olive oil that isn't bad for everyday and also Zoe brand Spanish oil is good. Whole Foods house brand is also fine. For special use, I really like a California oil that I found by tasting many: Robbins Family Farm Ascolano.

I'm totally on the side of California olive oils, in fact I just interviewed a small producer http://eggsinpurgatory.blogspot.com/2012/09/terroir.html Labeling on imported olive oils can be misleading. For example a bottle which reads "Product of Italy" could well contain olives from N. Africa or Turkey. Personally, and just my own taste and opinion, I find the olive oils at Trader Joe's to be seriously inferior but then you get what you pay for. California Olive Ranch is large producer and their oils are not terribly expensive and consistant from year to year. Very good stuff.

For bulk daily use. CostCo Kirkland brand is good, and Whole Foods 365 brand is good and a good buy.

Put me down for California Olive Ranch.

I've seen California Ranch brand EVOO at TJ Maxx. Anyone else?

Yes, and after last years very lean crop we are having a bonanza crop this year. It looks really good!

The more I read, the more I feel like California olive oils are the way to go!

I only use California olive oil. Olive oil does not age. It is important to buy oil that has bee stored in a cool dark place.

Whole Foods has any type you could need. I do not trust specialty shop products, their turnover is too slow.

For cooking, I buy Whole Foods' imported Italian extra virgin in the 3-liter can. I fill a pourable decanter that I keep near the stove, and the remainder is stored in my pantry closet. We probably go through 3 of those cans a year.

For salads, dribbling and other uncooked uses, I have smaller containers of Provencal, regional Italian and also Spanish extra virgins. and a small bottle of McEvoy from Petaluma, CA. They are all different in flavor and do unique things to my dishes. I buy them in small quantities from specialty stores, or Williams-Sonoma that I know have a high turnover rate.

Here's a discussion on this topic from a few months ago. Maybe it will help.
http://www.food52.com/hotline/10416-what-brand-of-olive-oil-do-you-trust

personally i don't care for greek olive oil. i always go italian. i have found the brand LUCINI in both specialty markets and the regular grocery store. it is my "everyday oil". for something special, source a local italian market...mine has an amazing selection. in case you live in chicago, it's BARI FOODS on grand.

Apollo, simply the best. www.apollooliveoil.com

There was a sell date of November 2012, but it is very clearly bad. Metallic tasting with a dull aroma.

I've heard Trader Joe's has good olive oil. I buy mine from a reliable Italian grocer with a lot of turnover. But there should be a sell-by date on the container you purchased.