Why olive oil? / A practical guide
How to store olive oil
Protect olive oil from light, heat and air: keep it tightly closed in a cool, dark place and use it while it still tastes fresh.
Light and heat accelerate deterioration, so a cupboard away from a sunny window, oven or hob is usually better than an exposed countertop.
Close the bottle after pouring. Repeated exposure to air gradually works against freshness, particularly once a large bottle is nearly empty.
Dark glass or another light-protective container helps, but packaging cannot compensate for poor storage. Even a dark bottle should not sit in direct sun or beside the stove.
Olive oil does not improve with age after bottling. Buy a size that suits how quickly your household uses it and pay attention to harvest, bottling and best-before information where available.
Sources and evidence
Read beyond the claim.
Ingredient uses authoritative guidance and standards, then translates them into ordinary food language. This is general education, not medical advice.
Published 23 August 2026 · Reviewed 29 August 2026Keep exploring