The Worst Costco Kirkland Signature Olive Oil Is Way Too Bitter For Our Liking - Tasting Table

"Even olive oil, a notoriously expensive pantry staple, can be found in two-liter bottles for less than 30 dollars. We taste-tested five different types of Costco Kirkland Signature olive oil to find the bottle worth putting in your cart and the bottle that you should avoid. The worst Costco Kirkland Signature olive oil, according to our ranking, is the Italian Kirkland Signature 100% Italian extra virgin olive oil."

"We were prepared for a more abrasive olive oil going in, but this Italian olive oil was too bitter for our liking. At first sip, we were delighted by the grassy herbal notes, but that moment of bliss was fleeting. Soon we were hit with an abrasive bitterness and a peppery, fiery finish that coated our mouth and wouldn't leave the back of our throat."

Kirkland offers large, affordable olive oil bottles, including two-liter options under $30. Five Kirkland Signature extra virgin olive oils underwent tasting to evaluate mouthfeel, color, tasting notes, and versatility. The 100% Italian extra virgin olive oil performed worst due to intense bitterness, an abrasive, peppery finish, and a lingering coating at the back of the throat despite initial grassy, herbal notes. That Italian oil cost about $14 per liter, reflecting relative rarity compared with Spanish or California oils. The Italian oil may work for robust dishes like red meat or complex stews, but it proved unsuitable for bread dipping, finishing, or salad dressings.

Read at Tasting Table