Olive oil tips
Genuine or Fake Olive Oil? 6 Checks You Can Do at Home
Contents
The Albanian market is full of bottles that say “extra virgin” without deserving it. Some contain sunflower oil with colouring, others mix a little olive oil with refined oils. Here is how to spot a genuine olive oil before you open your wallet.
1. Read the origin, not the brand
The label should state the country of production and, ideally, the area. “Packed in…” does not mean “produced in…”. Shkrela oil comes from our groves in the hills of Ardenica and Vlora, with a traceable chain from the tree to the bottle.
2. Look for the harvest date
A best-before date is not enough. Serious producers state the harvest season. Olive oil is a fruit juice and is at its best within 12–18 months of pressing.
3. The bottle should be dark glass
Clear plastic lets light in and spoils the oil within a few months. Nobody who invests in quality packs oil in transparent bottles. We explain the details in our article on storing olive oil.
4. The taste test
Take a spoonful. A genuine extra virgin oil gives you three signals: an aroma of fresh grass or tomato, a little bitterness in the middle of the tongue and a peppery catch in the throat that may make you cough slightly. If it tastes neutral, like cooking oil, you are holding a refined product.
5. The price tells the truth
A litre of extra virgin olive oil takes about 5–6 kg of olives, hand-picking and processing within 24 hours. When the price drops below the cost of production, someone has cut corners. Compare with our 2026 price analysis.
6. The fridge test doesn’t work
A popular tip online says genuine oil solidifies in the fridge. It is not true. Blended oils solidify too, and some pure olive oils stay liquid depending on their composition. Don’t use it as a test.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell genuine olive oil in the supermarket?
Check the origin, the harvest date, the acidity and the type of bottle. Together, these four give you an accurate picture.
Does a green colour mean the oil is better?
No. The colour depends on the variety and the harvest time, not on the quality.
Does Shkrela have certificates of origin?
Yes. Production is certified organic and every batch comes with a laboratory analysis.
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