10 Best Olive Oils in the Philippines 2021 - Buying Guide Reviewed By Nutritionist-Dietitian
Often referred to as "liquid gold," olive oil has been used and lauded for its different benefits, as documented in ancient literature. Olive and olive oil's roots can be traced to the Mediterranean region, where olive was used as a symbol of wealth, peace, and fame. It also became a staple in daily life, specifically in diets where olive is used in many different types of dishes, cooked or uncooked. Fast forward to the present times, olive oil is widely used not just in cooking but also for health and beauty.
With many choices of different types, it could be quite hard to choose which bottle of olive oil is the best choice. Here we will lessen that struggle by deciphering what labels like extra-virgin and pure mean and help you pick the best olive oil that suits your taste. To make your choice even easier, we asked nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales for some of her comments, tips, and recommendations.
- Last updated: 07-26-2021
- 12,573 views
In Collaboration With Nutritionist-Dietitian Samantha Morales
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
To know more about her practice, you can like and follow her Instagram and Facebook page.
Why Use Olive Oil?
Many use olive oil to make easy salad dressings for their pasta sauces and many other dishes. More than the taste that olive oil brings to food, it is known for the many great health benefits it offers.
Unlike other oils, olive oil, especially extra-virgin olive oil, contains healthy fatty acids called monosaturated oleic acid. Studies show that this fatty acid has anti-inflammatory properties.
Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins E and K which help prevent and fight chronic diseases and cell damage caused by free radicals. It is also known that extra-virgin olive oil lowers the risk of getting cardiovascular diseases which is one of the most common causes of death around the world.
Interestingly, people from the Mediterranean region or people who consume a Mediterranean diet have a higher life expectancy and lower risk of dying from heart diseases.
How to Choose Olive Oil - Buying Guide
When we go to the grocery or look up olive oil on online shopping sites, we are faced with many options and labels like extra-virgin, pure, made from Italy, made from Greece, and many more. It surely does get confusing, and oftentimes, we tend to overlook these labels without knowing what they really mean.
Choose According to Olive Oil Grades
Below we listed the types of olive oil according to grade, ranking from the highest to the lowest. An olive oil's grade can be easily determined by checking the bottle's label.
Extra-Virgin Oil - Purest and Most Natural
Virgin Olive Oil - A Slight Downgrade From Extra-Virgin
Pure Olive Oil and Refined Olive Oil - Mild-Tasting and More Stable
Compared to extra-virgin and virgin olive oil, these two types do not have the same health benefits extra-virgin olive oil offers. Look out for labels that say “Light” or “Extra Light.”
Olive Pomace Oil - The Cheapest but the Most Refined
Check Which Country Your Olive Oil is From
"Made in," "product of," "packed in" – these are some of the labels you’ll also see in a bottle of olive oil. But does it really matter where they come from? Olive oils that are single-sourced mean that all the processes from pressing to bottling are done in the same country.
However, there are olive oils that use a mix of olives from different countries, pressed and packed in various places, and generally, these olive oils tend to be of lesser freshness.
Olive Oils From Different Countries Have Different Colors and Tastes
Check the Bottle to Determine Freshness
Unlike wine that gets finer with age, olive oil goes bad relatively quickly, most especially when it is exposed to sunlight and heat. A good quality olive oil should also be in an opaque or dark-colored bottle.
To also ensure that you get the best quality and taste of olive oil, you must use it within a year of pressing. It is worth checking bottling dates, use-by dates, or pressing dates. If you don’t use olive oil often, we recommend you not to buy olive oil in large amounts.
10 Best Olive Oils to Buy Online
A bottle of olive oil has so much more uses to it than just cooking. To help you get started, we give you a list of the best olive oils you can buy online now.
**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**
Kirkland SignatureOrganic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
From ₱1,597
| Type | Extra-virgin |
|---|---|
| Amount Content | 2 L |
Del MonteContadina Extra Virgin Olive Oil
From ₱163.92
| Type | Extra-Virgin |
|---|---|
| Amount Content | 250 ml |
Filippo Berio Extra Virgin Olive Oil
From ₱554
| Type | Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
|---|---|
| Amount Content | 1L |
GoyaUnico Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil
From ₱780
| Type | Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
|---|---|
| Amount Content | 500ml |
Compare the Best Olive Oils
| Image | 1  La Española | 2  Kirkland Signature | 3  Bertolli | 4  Kirkland Signature | 5  Castelvetere | 6  Naturel | 7  Del Monte | 8  Dona Elena | 9  Filippo Berio | 10  Goya |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Olive Oil | Pomace Olive Oil | Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Contadina Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Pure Olive Oil | Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Unico Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| Features | Fruity Flavor and Peppery Pungency With Slight Bitterness | Kosher and Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil | USDA Certified Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil | Mix of 15% Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and Refined Oil | Olive Pomace Oil for Deep-Frying and Grilling | Halal Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Infused With Fig Leaves | Made from Freshly-Pressed Hojiblanca Olives | Pure Olive Oil for Sautéing and Light Frying | Cholesterol-free and Glute-free Olive Oil | Award-Winning Authentic Olive Oil From Spain |
| Price Starts at | ₱265 | ₱1,597 | ₱1,599 | ₱1,199 | ₱2,100 | ₱180 | ₱163.92 | ₱155 | ₱554 | ₱780 |
| Type | Extra-Virgin | Extra-virgin | Extra-Virgin | Pure | Pomace | Extra-Virgin | Extra-Virgin | Pure | Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Extra Virgin Olive Oil |
| Amount Content | 500 ml | 2 L | 1.5 L | 3 L | 5 L | 250 ml | 250 ml | 250 mL | 1L | 500ml |
| Link |
Samantha Morales' Recommended Olive Oil
Here is a nutritionist-dietician-approved olive oil recommended by Samantha Morales and why she recommends it!
GoyaOrganic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
From ₱729
Other Uses of Olive Oil
We mentioned above that olive oil's use is not just exclusive to cooking. Olive oil contains antioxidants and vitamins that are all-around good for the body.
Olive Oil as a Hair Treatment
If you have damaged or weak hair, use this hair treatment once or twice a week for deep conditioning to make your hair healthy and shiny.
Ingredients:
- 3-5 tablespoons of olive oil
*You may also add other essential oils like lavender or tea tree oil according to your preference
Procedure:
- Before hopping in the shower, warm the olive oil and apply it generously to the hair.
- Focus on the ends first before going to the scalp and massage it.
- Leave it for about 20 minutes, rinse and shampoo it out.
Shaving Cream Alternative and Body Moisturizer
If you run out of shaving cream, don't you worry! You can use olive oil in place of your usual shaving cream or oil and what's good about it is that it's all-natural. Just make sure that you have a sharp and trusty razor in hand!
Like we mentioned earlier, olive oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins. It also contains squalene which is extremely hydrating for the skin. After showering, while the skin is still a little damp, apply olive oil all over the body. Unless you decide to use it as a massage oil, remember that when applying, less is more. You don't want to look greasy, right?
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Samantha Morales
If you still have some questions in your mind regarding olive oils, let Samanta answers them! Continue reading below to find out more.
Can Olive Oil Be Used for Frying?
When you fry food, you expose it to a temperature between 350–375 °F. In this case, pure olive oil can handle this range of temperature since it has a high smoke point of 465°F. However, nutritionally speaking, pure olive oil has lesser health benefits compared to extra virgin olive oil.
Do the Nutrients You Get Decrease When You Cook With Olive Oil?
As you expose food to high temperatures, nutrients diminish, especially heat-sensitive vitamins such as B-vitamins and Vitamin C, antioxidants, and even enzymes, regardless of the cooking oil you choose to cook with.
What Are Some of the Best Ways to Consume Olive Oil?
To maximize the health benefits, I suggest drizzling extra virgin olive oil on salads or even a tablespoon on your smoothie to increase consumption of good fats and antioxidants and even to add more flavor to your food.
Looking for Healthy Alternatives to Your Favorite Food Items?
Too much of everything can be harmful to the body. Instead, consume your favorite food with less guilt with their healthy alternatives!
Summary
Olive oil would not be called "liquid gold" if it weren't for the many benefits it offers. Bottomline is, when choosing olive oil, it would be best to go for the extra-virgin grade because that's the type that contains more benefits than the others. Also, a greener color doesn't mean that it's of higher quality. Choosing isn't as hard as you thought it would be right?
Author: Issa Honda
Like and follow our Instagram and Facebook page for updates!
Popular Articles
Popular Item Lists
Search by Category
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Household goods
PC and Cameras
Home Appliances and Electronics
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Smartphones and mobile phones
Mobile data
Investment and asset management
Credit cards and loans
Insurance
Music
Smartphone applications