BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?

Subject: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: robomatic
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 10:59 PM

Just found a 6 year old bottle of extra virgin olive oil which I first (and last) used six years ago. Is it still safe to use (for cooking)?

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Amos
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 11:12 PM

I'd taste a tiny bit first. Extra virgin is pretty pure, and it is a stable oil but it IS organic.

A

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 11:40 PM

A while back I'd have said "if it comes out of the bottle/can and doesn't smell bad..." but of course people are a bit more "careful" now.

The only helpful(?) comment I can make is that some olive oil I've used has changed flavor a bit as it aged, but a large (1.5 L) bottle of olive oil a couple of times has taken me 4 or 5 years to use and seems to produce no ill effects other than "slightly enhanced flavor." I'd much prefer fresh for salad and sauce uses, but for cooking it's pretty durable.

If it's formed a lump in the container, and you have to scrape it out to use it, it probably would be best used in an oil lamp to run the bugs off ... or some such.

John

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 11:55 PM

Stored in a cool spot ex virgin holds it's flavor for up to 6 months but my Italian cookbook says nothing about it going bad. Probably best if you choose to use it, use it for cooking & not for dipping or salads
Chow
Barry

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: GUEST,Popeye
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 12:14 AM

All night long sometimes.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 12:53 AM

Is the oil premium, or manipulated (preservatives, etc.)?
A lot about olive oil here: Olive Oil

If it tastes rancid, toss it out. Our oil always runs out within a month or two and we have to buy more, so we have never been faced with the question. I would guess that your vintage oil should be tossed.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: MBSLynne
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 02:30 AM

I use olive oil when making my medicinal herbal oils because of all the vegetable oils it is the one which takes the longest time to go rancid. The herbal oils themselves are supposed to keep for a year or more. I think I'd just be inclined to smell and taste it and if it doesn't smell or taste strange it's probably ok

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 02:49 AM

I would incinerate the contents and dispose of the bottle responsibly. Then, I'd buy a tub of lard and put a note on the fridge to eat more animal fat.

Yours in helpfulness

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Gurney
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:05 AM

Skipjack, a man after my own heart. For medical research.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:19 AM

Long enough to satisfy Popeye!

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 06:32 AM

Skipjack has a hidden agenda, the more lard you eat, the more money he makes! He's a cunning little grease monkey that Gregster!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 06:50 AM

Throw it away and buy a new bottle you tight bugger!

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: MMario
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 08:34 AM

it is probably rancid - but if you can gag it down when you taste it it probably isn't going to harm you - on the other hand - very few tastes linger longer then rancid oil.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 08:41 AM

The use-by date on the bottle we bought some time before Christmas says January 2007.

But if it's still liquid and it doesn't smell bad I can't see any reason to worry about it, regardless of dates.

Maybe if you use the stuff raw rather than for cooking you might be a bit more cautious.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 08:43 AM

Is Rancid Oil Olive's brother?

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Pied Piper
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 09:16 AM

This depends on what you mean by last.
If your only interested in it not being rancid then quit a while, however Extra virgin oil contains lots of anti oxidant compounds that are broken down more rapidly and remove a lot of it's health giving properties.
Oils and fats (lipids) go rancid because they contain Carbon=Carbon double bonds (unsaturated) that react with Oxygen to produce rancid tasting bi-products. Olive oil is mono-unsaturated (only one double bond) so is relatively stable as compared to poly-unsaturated oils.
The oxidation process is catalysed by light and heat so if you want to protect the oil keep it in the dark and cool.
Also buy your oil from somewhere with a high turnover to ensure it's not been on the shelves for months.
Olive Oil
Basically by less more often, or use more; Olive and occasionally peanut are the only oils I use for cooking.

Have a healthy New Year

PP

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 09:23 AM

Buy a new bottle! And use it! For facials if you like - the ancient Romans cleaned themselves with olive oil. Rub it on and in, scrape it off. I use it for deep cleaning facials. Smooth on a teaspoon or two. Massage it in for 10 or 15 minutes, wipe it off and cleanse with a mild non-soap. Glowing clean skin soft to the touch.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: jimmyt
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 09:39 AM

I have had good EVO that lasts for several years if unopened.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Peace
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 10:14 AM

"Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: GUEST,Popeye - PM
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 12:14 AM

All night long sometimes."

LOL

I was gonna say, "Ya better ask Popeye on that one" and here ya were already. Gotta love it.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 10:17 AM

After six years, I think it will taste bad. I don't think it's harmful - but I would use it for massage or such, as Sinsull says.
paola

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 10:20 AM

I've lost my cookie.....

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: polaitaly
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 10:25 AM

Found.
paola

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Amos
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 10:51 AM

Ciaou, paola!


A

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 12:11 PM

Ciao Amos amigo mio, va bene?
Giok ☺

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: M.Ted
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 12:45 PM

I'm with folks who think you are a cheap bugger for even trying to use it--

Go buy a really good bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the green stuff, and pour some on a plate--then get a baguette or some Italian bread, it can even be stale, tear off some pieces and dip them in the oil, and eat them.   That, and maybe a little wine, is all you need.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: GUEST,Popeye (one more time)
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 01:25 PM

I thought I'd gives a few more details. Olive is one hell of a woman. She lasts longer than any other woman I has been with, and that's sayin' a mouthful! I yam a sailor and I knows women. Sailors meeta a lotta women. When I arrives back from a long sea voyage I needs a woman like a starvin' hound dog needs a meal. I goes straight over to see Olive, armed with a bouquet of pretty flowers, some chocolates, and a giant can of spinach. I says, "Hey, Olive! Yer lover boy is here! Wanna getcher oil checked?" She says, "Ooooo, Popeye! For shame! You are such a FLIRT!" Then we hit the deck. Olive can last for hours, but when she finally goes off it's like Vesuvius! Well worth waitin' for. Ya gotta eat a lot of spinach to keep up with Olive let me tells ya. It's exhaustipatin'! I give a toot on my pipe every time she hits the high notes.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 03:10 PM

I've never liked it raw. But I'd never use any other kind of fat for frying.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 03:17 PM

I used to buy oil of various sorts in large bottles at the Warehouse stores (like Sam's) thinking I was saving money, but then when the oil went rancid I had to throw out enough that there was no savings at all, and a waste of what had at one time been perfectly good oil. I use mostly olive oil, and find that buying a liter or two at a time stays good until the bottle is finished.

You deserve better than to suffer through using rancid oil just to save the money. It won't kill you, but I can't imagine getting any pleasure from using it.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 03:23 PM

I can never keep olive oil that long!! How do you do it?

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 03:33 PM

It's safe, is my guess, unless it has been stored in too warm a place. Olive oil can go rancid over time - and you'd know it as soon as you tasted it, if it had. But kept in a cool place, it can last for years.

At Christmas 1999 I was sent four 25-kg cans of oil by a friend who has a couple of hundred olive trees. They travelled with me from Greece to the UK in 2000, then from one address to another in the UK in 2003. I took one to a friend in Scotland. They have been stored in the garage, in the shed, out in the rain (they are hermetically sealed with wax). I have about 1/3 of a can left, and it's still OK.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 03:54 PM

Oh George, Greek olive oil my favourite! It is so nice I can even use the stuff from Kalamata.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: GUEST,brutus
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:01 PM

Olive Oyle tolds me she fakes it with ya spinach boy.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: M.Ted
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:02 PM

I'm with folks who think you are a cheap bugger for even trying to use it--

Go buy a really good bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the green stuff, and pour some on a plate--then get a baguette or some Italian bread, it can even be stale, tear off some pieces and dip them in the oil, and eat them.   That, and maybe a little wine, is all you need. Witness the longevity of Greece and Rome--

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: GUEST,brutus
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:03 PM

Sure mr. Ted, look at Greece and Rome. They are nothing but a pile of old ruins!

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: M.Ted
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 04:08 PM

I am pretty sure you are wrong about that, Brutus--last time I looked, both were still intact, prosperous, and pumping out olive oil to any and all takers.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: open mike
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 05:09 PM

well, as a person who lives in California's mediterranean climate and olive oil production area, i have some insight on this. I helped to press over 500 gallons of oil with Carlo Giovannonni in 1978 and Carlo
had kept a pint of oil from each batch he has pressed for nearly 50 yrs. They all still tasted great!The main culprit in breaking down oil is LIGHT and Oxygen, not necessarily heat. If it has been kept in a dark place and sealed from air it is most likely as good as ever. Of course a cool or low temp also helps. We always packaged our product
in sealed metal tins...and customers were so lucky to get it from us at $10 a gallon! (those were the days...) the plant where it was processed was a wonderful place with hydraulic presses, a huge "bull wheel" that
crushed the mash for the second pressing, hoppers and settlinig tanks,
pipes and pumps...it was great! it had a steam cleaning pressure washing water heater that was powered by olive pumice./..the pits and skins that were left over after the oil had been pressed out...it was
such an efficient set up. we sold the left over pumice mash to an olive oil plant across town that extracted with chemicals...like dry cleaning fluid...woe be to those who got oil that was obtained by that method. hexane..yum yum...
always insist on virgin, cold pressed oil!!
here is a local producer that is my main source now..
http://www.tehamagold.com/
some presses are now putting fresh citrus in the presses
with the olives and coming out with lemin and orange
flavored oils...great for dipping, and sauces, but
probably not such great keepers for long term storage.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: GUEST,Popeye
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 05:30 PM

Brutus, ya scurvy swab, I smacked ya down the last time we met, and I will smacks ya down again the next time, ya scabby blowhard! You used ta be called "Bluto" a long time ago, and then ya changed yer name outta SHAME and HUMILSKIATION for all the times I beat ya to a pulp. Yer nothin' but a used-up gas bag, Brutus/Bluto or whatever yer name really is. I could beat ya with one arm in a cast, and not even start to work up a sweat. Olive is my gal, and she ain't nobody else's, and she AIN'T fakin' it.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 04:07 PM

A couple of years ago in New York City I stumbled into a shop in Greenwich Village that sold nothing but Olive Oil. Pretty interesting, but very expensive.

I gave my answer based on the initial question that gave us the information that the bottle had been opened and neglected for years. A sealed container would last much longer. I think we read into the question the information that the oil is in the hands of someone who doesn't have a clue about how to store it, so it probably is rancid. (Sorry if this casts aspersions on your good character, robomatic!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 09:32 AM

Did Robomatic die from this misguided advice?

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 10:21 AM

Which advice did you consider misguided, Skipjack?

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Micca
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 12:08 PM

Take a slice of good Bread (NOT shop sliced but REAL Rough Rustic)white is fine, drizzle some Extra Virgin Olive Oil on and take a large tomato and smear the flesh over the slice on top of the OOed bread. then lay some slices of Serrano (or other air dried) ham on the surface to cover the slice and eat and enjoy, this is a Catalan Breakfast (or snack) and is WONDERFUL!!!

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Emma B
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 01:06 PM

Pan amb Tomaquet - a favourite anywhere Micca

Toast bread on both sides. Vigourously rub garlic, cut side down, on the warm toasted bread. Cupping a tomato half in your palm, rub 2 pieces of bread with it; squeeze tomato so that not only the juice and seeds ooze into the bread but also some pulp. Only the skin should be left.
Drizzle the olive oil over and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm - great for summer festival camping!

and while we're in the area........
ALLIOLI :-

Using a mortar and pestle blend one and a half tablespoons of finely chopped or minced garlic with an egg. mix 12 fluid ounces with one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and add slowly blending continuously. Add salt and pepper to taste and keep cool preferably overnight to allow flavours to mingle and mellow out

You'll never want shop bought mayonnaise again

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Emma B
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 01:08 PM

ooops! - I should have said of course 12 fluid ounces of olive oil !

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 16 Jan 06 - 04:07 PM

Having watched TV chefs removing the juice and tomato seeds and just using the flesh, I was amused to see Catalans using the juice and seeds as described and throwing out most of the flesh with the skin. (I usually use everything except the little tough bit by the stalk.)

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 10:53 AM

Emma, Clean garlic cloves and put them in the oven for 30 minutes at 300 degrees, F. Spread the warm cloves on dry, toasted bread and drizzle your best oil on the spread bread. Heavenly!

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Emma B
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 11:10 AM

Ah EBarnacle you obvioulsy recognize an olive oil and garlic lover, maybe we should start another thread on that inspired combination - Romesco Sauce for starters?

Meanwhile may I repeat a previous post about the wonderful olive oil I discovered in a local supermarket - Cobram Estate, Murray Valley, early harvest, first cold pressing - my favourite oil at the moment; unlikely to remain around for very long.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 11:24 AM

Well, unless we change our habits the olive wells will soon be dry! Experts estimate that there is only enough left in the wells for another ten to twenty years and then we run out. Here are some recommendations for extending the length of the world's olive wells:

1. When you order a martini, ask for it with a twist or an onion.
2. Never order olives on a pizza.
3. If you must use olives, use only those that are fully ripe. To do otherwise is to use those that will create the next generation of olives.
4. Share your olive with someone with similar tastes.
5. You don't need to eat the expensive kalamatas. They do nothing to enhance your enjoyment and simply cost more.
6. Avoid "jack rabbit" olive usage.
7. Plan your olives: if you're going to squeeze some oil, make pizza that day too.

Share these tips with others. Let's leave some olives for the future!

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: bobad
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 11:36 AM

Ah! a topic close to my taste buds, olive oil and garlic.

As a grower of garlic I am constantly on the look out for ways to use it in food preparation. One of the simpler ways we make garlic bread is to spread olive oil (extra virgin) onto a longitudinally sliced whole wheat baguette which is placed under the broiler until browned then rubbed with a clove of garlic and sliced into 2 inch chunks.

In the summer as the garlic (hard-neck or rocambole type) is growing it sends up a stalk called a scape, this we pick when it is about 6 inches long, chop up in a food processor and mix with olive oil. We store this "garlic butter" in the freezer in 6 oz. containers which we then use by spreading onto bread and broiling. The "butter" will remain solid and spreadable in the refrigerator.

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 01:00 PM

Is cutting the stalk purely for the purpose of eating it, or does it improve the plant's production of garlic cloves to over-winter?

Subject: RE: BS: How Long Does Olive Oil Last?
From: GUEST,J. Wellington Wimpy
Date: 17 Jan 06 - 01:56 PM

More importantly, how long does a good hamburger last?

Not long, in my experience.