How to Store Olive Oil So It Stays Fresh

Olive oil's enemies are light, heat, air and time. Keep it in a cool, dark cupboard in dark glass or a tin, seal it after each use, and get through it within a few months of opening. Do that and your oil stays fresh, peppery and worth drinking. Here is how to store it properly.

Does olive oil go off?

It does not spoil dangerously, but it does go stale and rancid, losing the flavour, aroma and polyphenols that make a good oil worth having. An oil that has gone flat is disappointing to cook with and pointless to drink, so storage genuinely matters.

The four things that ruin olive oil

• Light: the biggest culprit. UV breaks down polyphenols fast, which is why good oil comes in dark glass or tin.
• Heat: a warm spot near the hob or oven ages oil quickly. Keep it cool.
• Air: oxygen turns oil rancid, so close the cap tightly and do not decant into a wide, half-empty container.
• Time: olive oil does not improve with age. Fresher is better, always.

Where to store it

A cupboard away from the hob and out of direct light is ideal. Resist the temptation to keep a pretty clear bottle on the worktop or windowsill, where light and heat will age it within weeks. The fridge is fine but unnecessary, and it can make the oil cloudy until it warms up again.

How long does it last?

Unopened, aim to use a good oil within roughly 18 to 24 months of its harvest date, which is why we always recommend buying on harvest date rather than a far-off best-before. Once opened, the clock speeds up, so enjoy it within a couple of months for the best flavour and the most polyphenols.

How to tell if it has gone off

Trust your nose and tongue. Fresh oil smells green, grassy or fruity and has a peppery bite. Oil past its best smells waxy, musty or like crayons, tastes flat, and loses its pepper. If in doubt, taste a little on a spoon.

Storing an oil you drink daily

If you take a spoonful most days, buy a size you will finish in a couple of months so it is always fresh, and keep it sealed and cool between uses. For which oils are worth buying in the first place, see the best olive oil to drink, or start with can you drink olive oil, and which one to choose.

Frequently asked questions

Does olive oil go off?

It does not spoil in a way that makes you ill, but it goes rancid and stale over time, losing its flavour, aroma and polyphenols. Light, heat, air and time are the causes. Once it smells flat, waxy or like crayons, it is past its best.

How should I store olive oil?

In a cool, dark cupboard, away from the hob and any windows, in its dark glass bottle or tin with the cap firmly closed. Avoid clear bottles left in the light. There is no need to refrigerate it.

How long does olive oil last?

Unopened, a good oil is best within about 18 to 24 months of its harvest date, so buy on harvest date rather than a distant best-before. Once opened, use it within a couple of months for peak flavour and polyphenols, though it stays usable longer.

Can you store olive oil in the fridge?

You can, and it will not harm the oil, though it may turn cloudy and thick and clear again at room temperature. A cool, dark cupboard is simpler and perfectly good for an oil you use regularly.