"Sicilian Sunshine in a Bottle": The Fancy Olive Oil You'll Want to Drizzle on Absolutely Everything

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Sliced bread on a wooden board with a bowl of olive oil being poured into it.

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Styling: Vicky Wasik

When it comes to taking a dish from good to great, few ingredients rival the power of a truly exceptional olive oil. Peppery, bright, and at times a bit nutty, the best EVOOs are often produced in limited batches and come from a single origin (if not grove). Like a fine wine, a quality olive oil is really about terroir, craftsmanship, and the sensory experience it brings to the table.

The truth is, a gourmet olive oil elevates anything it touches — a crusty piece of bread, pile of grilled vegetables, or a simple bowl of vanilla ice cream. These are the eight fancy olive oils that make home cooking genuinely better — and are, without a doubt, worth every last drop, according to our editors.

Related: Christmas Sugar Cookies Heraclea Early Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Heraclea Early Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Amazon

$30

“Bold, zesty, and impossibly vibrant,” Heraclea is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate, according to Alex, our assistant editor. The packaging itself is “gorgeous,” which means it’s perfect for gifting or displaying on your countertop in between pours and drizzles. Alex loves the early harvest blend that’s extra peppery and great for dipping bread into and for making salad dressings.

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Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olio Piro

$56

Olio Piro captures the essence and care of Italian olive oil production and tradition. “I’ve been using Piro for over three years now,” says Mara, our director of groceries and shopping. “Ever since I learned about it on a trip to Tuscany to see how the olives are harvested and the oil is produced.” It’s rich, with notes of green almonds and fresh herbs, and has a nutty finish — and it’s the only cooking oil Mara’s mother now uses.

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Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Sebastiano’s Siciliano

$24

Sicilian sunshine in a bottle! Lindsay, our editor-in-chief, calls this EVOO a “delicious finishing oil — so buttery and bright with crusty bread — and a game-changer for salad dressing.” It also doesn’t hurt that she “loves how the tin looks on her counter.” It’s run by a mom-and-pop shop in Portland, Oregon, and is just one of those bottles that makes everyday meals taste gourmet.

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Georgia Olive Farms Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Amazon

$40

Patty, our food editor (and Georgia native), is a big fan of this olive oil that comes straight from Georgia farms. It has a delicious Southern touch, with a “smooth texture” and “nutty flavor,” she explains. It’s a standout for both cooking and drizzling alike.

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Huwa Palestinian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Huwa

$22

A modern, visually striking oil, Huwa Palestinian Extra Virgin Olive Oil stands out both on the countertop (in a really great squeeze bottle) and on your palate. Rachel, our culinary producer, “really likes” this olive oil. “The bottle is really pleasing and cute, and the color is so vibrant and green — it looks luxe drizzled over dishes.” It adds a little extra oomph to any meal.

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What’s your favorite bottle of fancy olive oil? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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