How To Store Olive Oil Properly (And The Mistakes Most People Make)

The Three Enemies Of Olive Oil

1. Light

Light — especially direct sunlight but also artificial kitchen lighting — triggers photo-oxidation in olive oil, breaking down the polyphenols and flavor compounds. A clear bottle sitting on a sunny windowsill can go rancid within weeks of opening. This is why serious producers bottle their oil in dark glass.

2. Heat

Heat accelerates oxidation and evaporates volatile aromatic compounds. The single worst place in most kitchens to store olive oil is next to the hob, where most people keep it. The ideal storage temperature is 57–68°F (14–20°C) — a kitchen cupboard away from the oven is ideal.

3. Oxygen

Every time you open your olive oil bottle, oxygen enters and begins oxidizing the oil. This is why a half-empty bottle deteriorates faster than a full one. Always replace the cap tightly after use.

Common Storage Mistakes And How To Fix Them

• Storing next to the stove — Move to a cupboard on the other side of the kitchen
• Clear bottle on the counter — Store inside a closed cupboard
• Buying large bottles to save money — Buy smaller bottles more frequently; fresher oil is always better value
• Keeping oil past 18 months — Check the harvest date and aim to use within 12 months

How Long Does Olive Oil Last Once Opened?

An opened bottle of premium extra virgin olive oil, stored correctly, will maintain good quality for approximately 30–60 days after opening. This is another reason to buy smaller bottles more frequently rather than large economy sizes.

For this reason we do encourage our bag in box format as it protects against many of these issues. The key one being once its opened the technology protecting the oil, keeps out any kind of oxygen even though it is opened. That being said our 5 liters that are in a jug format are mostly for people who cook often and therefore will generally use it in 3 months, so there is no concern. 

The Bottom Line

Dark, cool, sealed, and used within 24 months of harvest. That's the entirety of proper olive oil storage. All our oils at The Olive Trading Co. are bottled in dark glass and shipped with the harvest date clearly displayed. [Browse our full collection]