You might be storing olive oil incorrectly – and this could be doing more harm than good. The common cooking ingredient forms the basis of many of our favourite recipes. Along with salt and pepper, it's a staple most recipes can't go without.
However, many people mistakenly believe the household staple doesn't go off, and therefore don't keep it the way they are supposed to. Most of us keep olive oil next to the hob for ease of access when frying, but this can encourage the ingredient to perish. Taking to TikTok , the Clean Kitchen Podcast shared olive oil is meant to be stored in a 'dark, cool place.
' "Similar to those vegetable oils, it's sensitive to oxygen, heat, and light," one of the hosts said. "So we want to prevent all of those things from getting in. So yes, [keep it in a] dark, cool place, preferably in the pantry.
" Improper storage of olive oil can cause it to oxidise. This can cause it to go rancid, giving it an unpleasant taste and smell. Oxidation also impacts the nutrition profile of olive oil.
It causes the oil's natural antioxidants to break down, meaning you won't get the same health benefits from your oil. It is also recommended you store olive oil in an airtight container to further guard against oxidation. But even if you store it correctly, olive oil will eventually reach its expiration date.
Once bottled, olive oil has a shelf life of 18-24 months and, after it has been opened, lasts between 30 and 60 days. This means extra virgin olive oil should id.