Extra virgin olive oil is a kitchen essential, but it can be expensive. We tried oils from Asda, M&S, Tesco and more to see if they’re worth the money
Olive oil is a healthier version compared to other oils(Image: Angela Patrone)
Extra virgin olive oil, derived from cold-pressed olives, is a healthier choice compared to standard olive oil, which is a blend that includes processed oils. This is because it retains more of the natural antioxidants and vitamins that can be lost during processing.
However, extra virgin olive oil is one of the most expensive items on supermarket shelves, with many brands costing over £25. Its versatility makes it a kitchen essential – perfect for drizzling over salads, forming the base of pasta sauces and sandwich spreads, garnishing soups, and, of course, dipping your sourdough bread into.
To determine whether the priciest extra virgin olive oil brands are worth the investment, I tested them against eight well-known supermarkets, reports the Express.
Filippo Berio and Il Casolare are leading olive oil brands(Image: Angela Patrone)Filippo Berio
Starting with one of the UK’s favourite oil brands, Filippo Berio’s extra virgin olive oil had an appealing colour and thick consistency; however, it didn’t stand out in terms of flavour.
Priced between £12 and £14 per litre, there are certainly superior alternatives available at a lower cost.
Rating: 6/10
Il Casolare
This £16 extra virgin olive oil is golden-hued and packed with flavour. It’s remarkable how smooth it is-almost silky.
I appreciate its taste, reminiscent of olives and artichokes; however, I wasn’t keen on the peppery, slightly spicy aftertaste.
Rating: 8.5/10
Asda
With its refreshing hints of green herbs and tomato plants, this £7.38 oil from Asda was a delightful surprise, particularly due to its enduring peppery undertones.
It’s an excellent everyday oil that I’d readily use for routine cooking and dressings.
Rating: 8/10
Tesco
Despite not being the most affordable option, this £7 Tesco olive oil was arguably the least impressive.
It had a thin consistency and lacked any discernible olive flavour. It might be best reserved for stews and soups.
Rating: 3/10
Morrisons
This £8.40 variant from Morrisons was marginally superior to Tesco’s offering, but not significantly so. It had a more grassy taste than olive.
Rating: 4/10
Aldi
Priced at £6.49, the flavour was quite satisfactory, surpassing several other supermarket brands.
However, the texture of the Aldi oil was slightly too dense, resulting in a damp and soggy salad.
Rating: 5.5/10
Lidl
Given that a bottle of extra virgin olive oil is priced at £4.99 at Lidl, its quality was astonishingly good.
It boasted a robust olive flavour, although it was somewhat too thick.
Rating: 8/10
Sainsbury’s
This one from Sainsbury’s lacked the depth of flavour found in others and didn’t enhance my salad as much.
On the plus side, the consistency was spot on, ensuring my vegetables weren’t overly soggy.
Rating: 6/10
Lidl’s offering (left) scored an impressive eight out of 10 (Image: Angela Patrone)M&S
The most expensive supermarket brand of extra virgin olive oil, this £9 option from Marks and Spencer, boasts a fantastic texture. It’s light and airy, making it ideal for adding a touch of flavour to any dish.
However, despite the initial pleasing taste, the lingering aftertaste didn’t quite meet my expectations.
Score: 7.5/10
Waitrose
I was pleasantly taken aback by the subtle yet peppery taste of the Waitrose oil, which was also smooth.
Its consistency is less thick compared to other oils, making it perfect for drizzling over lettuce. The only drawback was its slightly high price tag of £8.50 for a litre, although it wasn’t the most expensive.
It was certainly more affordable than the leading brands with Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil currently priced at £13.50 at Waitrose.
Score: 10/10
Prices are accurate at the time of writing.
Dining and Cooking