Italian Olive Oil: Look for cold-pressed labeling and production dates

The article reports that labels marked 'cold-pressed' and clear production and expiry dates can signal quality, and that knowing the supplier is the most direct way to confirm an oil was fully produced in Italy.

Olive oil is a common kitchen ingredient used in dressings, marinades, roasting and sautéing. Many shoppers look for Italian olive oil because Italy is well known for olive production. To confirm an oil truly comes from Italy, the article says shoppers should examine the bottle label and know the supplier. Restaurant partner Louie Mele recommends checking for "Italian EVOO cold pressed" and looking for production and expiry dates. Key facts: - "Cold-pressed" means olives were pressed without extreme heat, and the article notes that excessive heat can alter oil quality. - The article cites Louie Mele saying a production date and an expiry date on the bottle are useful; buying closer to the production date is reported as preferable. - Mele advises opting for oil from small producers rather than large mass-producers, and he reports sourcing olives from properties in Umbria, Italy, for his restaurant. - When supplier information is not available on grocery-store bottles, the article presents two options: research store brands for sourcing details or buy from a small Italian market where owners may know the product origins. Summary: Label information and supplier knowledge are presented as the main ways to judge whether an oil was grown, picked, pressed and bottled in Italy. The article notes researching brands or purchasing from smaller Italian markets are commonly cited ways to learn where an oil was sourced.