The Worst Olive Oil On Aldi's Shelves Is Also The Cheapest - Tasting Table

"Refined olive oil undergoes a heat-treated process that rids the oil of impurities, and in doing so, also removes many of the nuanced flavors, aromas, and healthy antioxidants and polyphenols characteristic of unrefined, or extra virgin, olive oil. While refined olive oil has its place as a cooking oil for high-heat methods like deep-frying, Carlini olive oil is very bland with no discernible aroma."

"The oil blend is sourced from multiple countries, which is a red flag that indicates a lack of freshness, as olive oils in different countries are harvested at different times of year. An even bigger hazard to the flavor and benefits of Carlini's olive oil is its clear plastic bottle packaging."

"Clear plastic exposes the olive oil to light and leaches harmful chemicals into the oil, degrading its taste and health benefits. Instead of clear plastic, you'll want to look for olive oil in aluminum tins or dark green glass."

Aldi offers competitive grocery prices, but quality varies across products, particularly with olive oil. The cheapest Carlini olive oil at Aldi ranks lowest due to multiple factors. It blends refined and extra virgin olive oil; the refining process removes nuanced flavors, aromas, antioxidants, and polyphenols. Multi-country sourcing indicates lack of freshness since harvests occur at different times. Clear plastic packaging poses significant problems, exposing oil to light and leaching harmful chemicals that degrade taste and nutritional value. Quality olive oil should be packaged in aluminum tins or dark glass to preserve its properties.

Read at Tasting Table