1. Olive oil from the store is always fresh
Even if stored properly, olive oil has a shelf life of no more than three years, and in most cases, it's actually two years or less. Unlike wine, which gets better with age, this isn’t true for olive oils. We recommend buying only those oils that have the production year clearly labeled.

2. Quality oil is for salads, while cheaper oil is for cooking
This is another common myth. In fact, higher-quality oils are better precisely because they can withstand high temperatures. They don't lose their nutrients during cooking. At room temperature, the differences between cheaper and more expensive oils are minimal.

3. Olive oil should be stored in glass bottles
This is true, but only if the bottle is dark. Olive oil reacts strongly to light, which over time causes it to lose its structure, taste, and quality. Interestingly, tin or ceramic containers are just as effective.

4. Olive oil is low in calories
Unfortunately, this isn't true! While it is healthy and nutritious, it’s still an oil and therefore has a high calorie content. Just one tablespoon of olive oil can have up to 120 calories. The good side of olive oil is that, compared to other vegetable oils or animal fats, it has relatively low cholesterol (bad fats). It is also a strong antioxidant with high nutritional value, which is why we say it’s good for your health. But you won’t lose weight with olive oil.

5. Good olive oil has a pleasant taste
While tastes vary, fresh oil has a distinctly strong and bitter flavor that sharply stimulates the taste buds on your tongue. Not everyone likes this taste. If you don’t feel the olive oil on your tongue, it’s not fresh.