From budget supermarket bottles to premium artisan oils, I tried 12 different olive and avocado oils
The avocado spray was my favourite(Image: Sophie Harris)
Olive oil isn’t merely delicious but offers genuine health benefits, too. It contains beneficial fats and antioxidants that support cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation and may even aid brain function. Extra virgin olive oil stands out as the superior choice because it undergoes minimal processing, retaining the majority of nutrients and taste. It’s versatile for cooking, finishing salads, or simply serving with bread, and various oils can differ significantly in flavour depending on their origin.
I sampled numerous olive oils from both major retailers and smaller independent producers to compare their qualities. The tasting process highlighted just how much variation exists, and it’s rewarding to discover those that truly excel.
Belazu
Belazu Early Harvest Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This olive oil is made from Arbequina olives harvested before full ripeness, typically yielding a richer flavour. This oil proved delightful when drizzled over salad leaves and for dipping bread, such as focaccia. This ranked among the more characterful oils I sampled during testing. It costs £22.50 for 1L or £11.50 for 500ml, so it’s not inexpensive, but premium olive oil rarely is.
Score: 4/5
Belazu Verdemanda Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This represents another Spanish extra virgin olive oil produced from Arbequina olives, though it’s unfiltered and flash-frozen after pressing to maintain freshness and fragrance. The olives are gathered before the main harvest, producing a considerably lower yield but with vibrant colour. The outcome is a lively, bold oil and I discovered it to be considerably more intense. It possessed a pronounced grassy taste that complemented bread exceptionally well. This proved ideal for completing dishes such as salads, where I desired greater flavour and impact. It comes at a steeper price of £21 for 500ml.
Score: 3.5/5
I absolutely loved the Belazu olive oils(Image: Sophie Harris)
Belazu Crete Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This oil is derived from Koroneiki olives cultivated on the Greek island of Crete and is one of Greece’s most favoured olive varieties for producing olive oil.
I discovered the oil to be a well-balanced, richly flavoured extra virgin olive oil with a gentle peppery conclusion. This proved to be a more harmonious, accessible-tasting olive oil compared to the Spanish varieties, making it more of an all-rounder for me. It delivered excellent taste and has become one I’ve been selecting most frequently. This bottle is presently available at Waitrose for merely £8.15 for 500ml.
These olive oils wouldn’t fit within many households’ budgets, which is a clear drawback.
Score: 3/5
GOOD PHATS
I recently sampled a selection of GOOD PHATS oils, ranging from conventional extra virgin olive oils to lighter avocado sprays.
Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray
This represents a traditional, fruity olive oil with delicate peppery undertones. It’s extremely adaptable, and I adored drizzling it over salads, breads, and even lightly charred vegetables. This spray container costs approximately £6.50 for 200ml.
The taste was rich yet not overwhelming, making it an excellent kitchen essential.
Score: 4/5
Spanish Light Avocado Oil Spray
Not an olive oil, of course, Spanish Light Avocado Oil Spray is gentle, creamy and remarkably silky, which is how I’d characterise this oil from GOOD PHATS. It’s ideal for high-temperature cooking due to its elevated smoke point, while its subtle flavour didn’t dominate the meals. This spray container costs approximately £6.50 for 200ml.
Score: 5/5
Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This olive oil delivered precisely what I anticipated from an Italian extra-virgin olive oil. It was punchy and full-bodied, with a spicy finish and distinctive emerald hue. The container is currently discounted on Ocado to £12.50 per 500ml, though it’s typically priced at £15.60.
This particular oil truly excels as a finishing touch on pasta, chargrilled vegetables, or, as my relative adored it, alongside fish.
Score: 4/5
Spanish Light Avocado Oil
Like the spray but in a convenient drizzle container, it emerged as one of my surprise go-tos for daily cooking. The flavour was simply wonderful. This spray container costs roughly £6.50 for 200ml, though frequently discounted.
Score: 5/5
Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Like the spray, but equally in a practical drizzle container, this extra virgin olive oil proved excellent for numerous dishes, including salads. This container is currently £11.95 for a 700ml bottle, though normally £14.95 on Ocado.
The containers vary in cost but remain reasonably priced and have served me well in the kitchen for a considerable time. These are undoubtedly amongst my top picks.
Score: 4/5
I loved the packaging and thoughtfulness behind this olive oil(Image: Sophie Harris)
bona
bona’s Organic Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil retails at £22.50 for 750ml, and is said to strike the perfect balance between exceptional flavour, nutritional benefits and environmentally conscious farming methods.
It’s also vacuum sealed to preserve maximum flavour and polyphenol content right up until you use it.
The bag features a tap at the base, which ensures that as the oil is dispensed, the bag shrinks inward rather than allowing air to replace it, thereby preventing oxidation.
Fellow shoppers are equally impressed, with 52 five-star reviews to its name. Some buyers flag that the packaging causes the oil to pour too quickly — a criticism I’d echo, as a narrower tap would certainly be more practical.
That said, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable olive oil, and the thoughtful design and the bona ethos are genuinely impressive.
Score: 3/5
Asda
Asda’s Exceptional Greek Koroneiki Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This £7.70 bottle proved to be a tasty option, carrying a subtle peppery kick alongside bitter, nutty notes. While wonderfully versatile, it didn’t particularly stand out from the crowd, and several others I sampled edged it out.
Score: 3.5/5
Asda’s olive oils were good all-rounders(Image: Sophie Harris)
Asda’s Extra Special Spanish Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The Picual olive ranks amongst Spain’s most traditional and boldly flavoured varieties. It boasted an intense fruity fragrance and proved richer than anticipated, though never overwhelmingly so.
Its distinctive character made it ideal for dipping, drizzling over salads, or finishing grilled vegetables — the latter being an absolute winner. I was taken aback by how much I enjoyed the Picual’s bold flavour, and just as with the GOOD PHATS sprays, I’m discovering a real appreciation for oils with powerful, distinctive tastes that can transform straightforward salads.
Score: 3/5
This bottle from Whole Foods Market has lasted me ages(Image: Sophie Harris)
Whole Foods Market
The 365 by Whole Foods Market Extra Virgin Mediterranean Olive Oil struck me as a reliable, versatile option. It delivers a smooth, well-balanced flavour without any peppery bite and works brilliantly for both cooking and drizzling.
That said, it didn’t particularly stand out, and given its limited availability, I’d probably give it a miss.
Score: 2.5/5
I thoroughly enjoyed sampling all of these olive and avocado oils, and I can now genuinely recognise the differences between them and their extraction techniques. Some made a bigger impression than others, and my surprising winner remains avocado oil, while I’m now completely convinced by sprays. They’re far more convenient, tidier and offer superior control.
Dining and Cooking