10 Best Olive Oils in India 2021 (Borges, Colavita, and more)
If you’re someone who enjoys Mediterranean cuisine, then having the best kind of olive oil is a necessity for you. We will talk about all the things you need to keep in mind to choose the best olive oil for yourself from among brands like Borges, Disano, Figaro, etc. We shall also give you a list of the top 10 best olive oils you can buy online in India, so you don’t have to waste time going to the market.
Quick List - Top Olive Oil
Colavita
Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Dressing and Marinades
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How to Choose Olive Oil in India – Buying Guide
It’s not all about brand names when it comes to choosing good quality olive oil; there are a few other things you should check for when you’re on the hunt for the best one. We have introduced all the necessary types, extra virgin, virgin, pure olive oil, and more. Keep reading!
Choose the Type Based on the Way You Wish to Use the Oil
While we all know there are different types of olive oils, not many of us know what each type is supposed to be used for, and what the differences actually are. Here, we have discussed about various types of olive oil, so you can choose based on your preference.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Is Best Used as a Condiment
Rather, extra virgin olive oil should be reserved for dressings, dips, or use as a condiment. It has a strong flavor and aroma, and it’s full of nutrients, but all these qualities that make it so expensive disappear when heated. Additionally, it has a low smoking point as well, so it really doesn’t make sense to use this oil for frying, deep-frying, and other such purposes.
Pure Olive Oil For Pan-Frying and Grilling
Since it consists of refined olive oil, it is not as expensive to make and can be used for pan-frying and grilling. As mentioned earlier, it doesn’t have a powerful scent or taste, so the oil can be used to cook dishes from all types of cuisines. However, we still wouldn’t recommend using this to deep-fry things, as that would take away the few nutrients it does have.
Light or Extra-Light Olive Oil for Baking
There are some dishes, though, that do no require flavourful and aromatic oils, such as cakes and certain bread. Therefore, light olive oil becomes the perfect option for such cases, as not only is its flavor weak, but it also has a high smoke point. If you’re looking for a relatively healthy oil to use while you’re baking, then this is a great choice for you.
Consider the Material and Colour of the Bottle
Packaging may seem like an unnecessary aspect to look at, but in order to make sure that your oil stays in top-notch condition, you should consider the following two things. So, glass or steel, which one do you prefer? Here, check the information.
Glass Bottles and Stainless Steel Tins Over Plastic as They’re Less Reactive
Darker Bottles and Opaque Tins Protect the Oil From the Light
Olive oil can easily go bad if it’s constantly exposed to heat and light, so it’s important to either choose a product that comes in a dark, tinted bottle or an opaque tin or buy one separately to store the oil properly.
Olive Oil From Different Countries Have Different Flavor and Colors
Since there are so many different varieties of olive oils available in the market, the distinction between alike-looking oils in different bottles becomes a confusing task. There are so many countries that harvest and manufacture olive oil, and every country's harvest has a different color and flavor.
Olive oil from Spain will have a golden yellow color and a fruity and nutty taste. Similarly, olive oil from Italy has a dark green color and a herbal aroma. French one has a mild taste and pale color, and like Italian, olive oil from Greece is green and has a strong aroma.
Incase, the color distinction seems confusing, check the label for country of origin and manufacturing date for a fresh batch and choose as needed.
Avoid Olive Pomace Oil as it Poses Health Risks
While several harmful chemicals are used, the most dangerous one is benzopyrene, a known carcinogen (something that can cause cancer). Since the oil is made with so many artificial components, it lacks the characteristic flavor of olive oil. Therefore, although it is much cheaper, we recommend avoiding olive pomace oil.
10 Best Olive Oils in India
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Borges Extra Virgin Olive Oil | | Extra Virgin Olive Oil With a Strong Aroma and Flavour | |
2 | Colavita Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Cold Production) | | Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Dressing and Marinades | |
3 | Figaro Olive Oil Tin | | Pure Olive Oil With a Scent and Flavour | |
4 | Disano Pure Olive Oil | | For Pan-Frying Vegetables and Grilling Meats | |
5 | Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil | | Those Who Prefer a Strong Aroma With a Thinner Consistency | |
6 | DiSano Extra Virgin Olive Oil | | Who Want a Light Taste, but a Strong, Fruity Aroma | |
7 | Figaro Extra Virgin Olive Oil | | Extra Virgin Olive Oil for those Looking to Replace Butter with it | |
8 | Del Monte Extra Virgin Olive Oil | | Extra Virgin Olive Oil Without a Strong Scent and Flavour, Great for Beginners | |
9 | Bertolli Classico Olive Oil | | Pure Olive Oil With Light Flavour and Aroma to Saute and Grill | |
10 | Borges Extra-Light Olive Oil | | Mild Scent and Flavour, Perfect for Baking and Marinating Meat or Seafood |
Extra Virgin Olive Oil With a Strong Aroma and Flavour
It has a fresh, aromatic flavor, which goes perfectly with dressings and dips, and as the flavor is quite strong, it can work for those who enjoy the strong olive taste. Since you only use extra virgin olive oil as a condiment, and with a flavor as strong as this, you can use it sparingly; you won’t need to worry about running out of it easily.
Colavita Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Cold Production)
Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Dressing and Marinades
This olive oil by Colavita is a great choice for dressings and marinades. The oil comes in a glass bottle and is extra virgin. The oil is 100% organic and imported from Italy. It has a well-balanced flavor of fruitiness and spiciness
The maker claims the product is cholesterol and carbohydrate-free. This olive oil has received great reviews for its taste and consistency, and they highly recommend it for its purity. It is amongst our top three recommendations.
Pure Olive Oil With a Scent and Flavour
It’s also one of the most inexpensive pure olive oils you’ll find, especially because it’s a 1-liter tin. Furthermore, since most Indian cooking revolves around pan-frying and grilling, it’s really great that you get such a big tin because it ensures that you won’t run out of it quickly.
For Pan-Frying Vegetables and Grilling Meats
Storing it properly could be a hassle, though, as it comes in a transparent, plastic bottle, which won’t be able to keep it safe from heat and light. Unlike many other pure olive oils, it doesn’t have an artificial feel to it, but it is still not the most nutritious way to consume olive oil, so the high cost might still pinch you a little.
Those Who Prefer a Strong Aroma With a Thinner Consistency
You need to spend a little bit extra on this, so if you’re on a budget, we wouldn’t recommend it to you. Also, this oil's consistency is slightly thinner compared to most of the other extra virgin olive oil on the market, so if you’re someone who prefers oils with a thicker consistency, then this wouldn’t be right for you.
Who Want a Light Taste, but a Strong, Fruity Aroma
The bottle is a transparent, plastic one, though, so you would have to make sure that you store it in a dark place. Furthermore, since the taste is quite mild, if you’re someone who enjoys strong flavors, then you’ll end up adding a lot more of the oil and run out of much more quickly, so we wouldn’t suggest this for you.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil for those Looking to Replace Butter with it
It could seem a bit on the expensive side, though, as the bottle's size isn’t too big. The small size may work well for those who do not use olive oil very often, but this will not suffice for you if you’re someone who frequently uses it. Additionally, although the bottle is made of glass, it is not tinted, so you would have to be careful about storing it.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Without a Strong Scent and Flavour, Great for Beginners
Although it does come in a transparent plastic bottle, if you don’t use it quickly enough or manufacturing date is old, it could become rancid. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, it lacks the typical scent and flavor that extra virgin olive oil is renowned for, so if you’re looking for that, this isn’t the right product.
Pure Olive Oil With Light Flavour and Aroma to Saute and Grill
It does come in a transparent, plastic bottle, though, so you will either have to finish it quickly, or you’ll have to transfer it to another bottle to prevent it from going rancid. Furthermore, this is a pretty expensive product, considering that this is pure olive oil, which contains refined olive oil and extra virgin olive oil, and lacks important nutrients.
Mild Scent and Flavour, Perfect for Baking and Marinating Meat or Seafood
Besides, even though it comes in a glass bottle, it is not tinted, so you would either have to transfer it to another bottle or finish it quickly. The latter could be a bit hard to do if you’re not someone who regularly bakes or makes marinades, as this is a 1-liter bottle.
Taking Care of Kitchen Needs
May it be Ghee, Peanut Butter, or Mustard oil for cooking. We have got you covered. Searching and analyzing information spread across the internet, we have assembled a detailed and extensive buying guide to help you be knowledgeable with relevant points before you make your next purchase.
Summary
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.