Our Standards & Methodology
How we evaluate olive oils and what disqualifies a product from our directory.
Core Evaluation Criteria
Every oil in our directory must meet these non-negotiable standards:
1. Harvest Date Disclosure
Required: Month and year of harvest clearly printed on every bottle.
Why this matters: Freshness is the primary determinant of quality and health benefits. Without harvest date disclosure, there's no way to verify how old the oil is. Best-by dates alone are insufficient—they can be set arbitrarily and don't indicate when olives were picked.
Disqualifying: Any oil without visible harvest date or that only provides bottling/best-by dates.
2. Origin Transparency
Required: Specific disclosure of where olives were grown (country minimum, region preferred).
Why this matters: Vague origins ("Mediterranean blend," "Product of EU") often conceal quality issues or misleading sourcing. Transparent producers specify exactly where their olives come from.
Disqualifying: Multi-country blends without clear disclosure, or misleading geographic branding (Italian-sounding names on non-Italian oils without clarification).
3. Verified Extra Virgin Status
Required: Evidence that the oil meets extra virgin chemical and sensory standards.
What we look for: Third-party testing results, certification from credible organizations (COOC, independent labs), or track record of passing consumer group tests.
Why this matters: The "extra virgin" label alone is unreliable. Numerous investigations have found oils labeled EVOO that fail chemical or sensory standards. We include only oils with documented verification.
Disqualifying: Oils that have failed independent testing, or oils with no testing data available and questionable quality indicators.
4. Consistent Quality Controls
Required: Evidence of ongoing quality management, not just one-time excellence.
What we look for: Batch testing protocols, traceability systems, documented storage and handling procedures. Oils are removed if quality slips in subsequent harvests.
Disqualifying: Inconsistent quality across vintages, ownership changes that compromise standards, or discontinuation of transparency practices.
OliveOilTruth Verification Score™
Every oil in our directory receives a Verification Score from 0-100 based on six objectively measurable categories. This score measures transparency and verifiable quality markers—not taste preference.
Score Tiers
Verified Tier
Exceptional transparency and documented quality. All core criteria met with strong supporting evidence.
Caution Tier
Meets basic transparency standards but lacks some documentation. Room for improvement in testing disclosure or traceability.
Not Verified
Fails to meet minimum transparency requirements. Not included in our directory.
The 6 Scoring Categories
1. Harvest Date Transparency
20 points maximum20 points: Full harvest month and year on every bottle with clear, prominent display
15-19 points: Harvest date disclosed but less prominent or seasonal (e.g., "Fall 2024")
Below 15: Inconsistent dating, difficult to find, or only on some bottles
2. Origin & Traceability
15 points maximum15 points: Estate production or single origin with specific regional detail and documented provenance
12-14 points: Clear country origin with some regional or producer detail
Below 12: Country disclosed but vague sourcing or multi-origin without transparency
3. Polyphenol Content
20 points maximum18-20 points: Third-party tested with documented high polyphenol levels (typically 400+ mg/kg)
15-17 points: Strong indicators (early harvest, robust flavor) but no published testing data
Below 15: No polyphenol claims or testing; standard EVOO expectations
4. Production Methods
15 points maximum15 points: Documented quality-focused methods (rapid processing, temperature controls, estate production)
12-14 points: Traditional or artisan methods with some transparency
Below 12: Standard commercial production with limited method disclosure
5. Quality Testing
20 points maximum18-20 points: Comprehensive third-party testing including chemical analysis, polyphenol content, and sensory evaluation
14-17 points: Some third-party testing or certification (COOC, organic, DOP)
Below 14: EVOO designation verified but limited testing documentation
6. Freshness & Storage
10 points maximum5-6 points: Dark bottle or tin packaging, proper storage guidance, harvest transparency enables tracking
3-4 points: Standard packaging with basic storage recommendations
Below 3: Clear glass or inadequate UV protection
Important Notes About Scoring
- • Scores are updated when new testing data or transparency changes occur
- • This is not a taste rating—high scores measure verifiable quality markers, not flavor preference
- • All oils in our directory score 75+ (minimum threshold for inclusion)
- • Category scores show where producers excel and where transparency could improve
- • Lower-scoring oils may still be excellent—they just lack documentation in some areas
Additional Quality Indicators
These aren't requirements but strengthen our confidence in an oil's quality:
Polyphenol Testing & Disclosure
Producers who test and publish polyphenol content demonstrate commitment to health benefits beyond basic extra virgin standards.
Estate or Single-Origin Production
Full control over growing, harvesting, and processing typically results in higher quality and better traceability than blended oils from multiple sources.
Dark Glass or Tin Packaging
UV-protective packaging shows awareness of degradation factors. Clear glass bottles accelerate quality loss.
Organic or Sustainable Certification
While not quality determinants, these certifications indicate investment in farming practices and third-party verification systems.
What Disqualifies an Oil
Oils are excluded or removed from our directory for these reasons:
Important Note
Oils are removed even if they have strong affiliate conversion or revenue performance. Our directory reflects verifiable quality, not commercial success. This is fundamental to maintaining trust.
Information Sources
Our evaluations draw from multiple independent sources:
Third-Party Testing Organizations
- • California Olive Oil Council (COOC) certification data
- • University research programs (UC Davis Olive Center, others)
- • Independent laboratory chemical analysis
- • Consumer protection organizations
Producer Documentation
- • Harvest date records and batch traceability
- • Polyphenol testing results (when disclosed)
- • Origin certifications (DOP, PDO, organic, etc.)
- • Quality control protocols
Independent Investigations
- • Journalistic investigations by credible outlets
- • Academic research on olive oil fraud
- • Consumer group testing (Consumer Reports, etc.)
Limitations and Transparency
We Don't Do Our Own Chemical Testing
Independent laboratory testing costs thousands of dollars per sample. Instead, we rely on existing third-party test results, certification programs, and documented quality controls. This limits our ability to verify every bottle, but it's the only economically viable approach for an independent resource.
We Can't Guarantee Every Bottle
Even oils from transparent, quality-focused producers can have batch variation. Storage and handling after bottling (retailer conditions, shipping, your pantry) also affect quality. We evaluate producers' systems and track records—not every individual bottle.
Your best protection: buy from producers with harvest dates, check the date before purchase, and store properly at home.
Geographic and Brand Coverage
Our directory focuses on oils available in North America with documented quality and transparency. Many excellent small producers—especially in Europe—aren't included simply because we haven't evaluated them yet or they have limited U.S. distribution.
Why We Link Directly to Growers (Not Amazon or Retailers)
Every oil in our directory is high quality and verified. Many appear on Amazon and other retail platforms—but we only link to grower-direct purchases for critical quality reasons:
- • Harvest date control: Third-party sellers often stock older inventory without visible harvest dates, making freshness verification impossible
- • Storage conditions: Warehouse heat exposure, bright lighting, and improper storage degrade polyphenol content before bottles reach customers
- • Freshness guarantee: Growers ship directly from temperature-controlled facilities with faster inventory turnover
- • Authenticity assurance: Eliminates counterfeit and adulteration risks common on retail marketplaces
- • Producer accountability: Direct purchase links quality to the producer's reputation, incentivizing consistent standards
The bottom line: These producers make exceptional olive oil—but olive oil quality degrades rapidly without proper handling. A bottle that scored 92/100 in our review may arrive degraded if purchased through improper retail channels. Grower-direct purchasing ensures you receive the quality we verified.
Why These Standards?
Our standards prioritize transparency over all else because:
- •Harvest date disclosure is the single best indicator that a producer has nothing to hide. If they're proud of freshness, they publish dates.
- •Origin transparency prevents the most common forms of fraud (false Italian claims, undisclosed blending).
- •Third-party verification catches oils that claim "extra virgin" status without meeting chemical standards.
These standards don't capture every element of quality, but they filter out the majority of problematic oils. A producer transparent about harvest dates, origin, and testing is far more likely to deliver authentic extra virgin than one hiding these details.
See how we apply these standards: How We Review