Is Costco's Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil The Real Deal?

Extra virgin olive oil can be expensive, so spotting a variety that seems more inexpensive than others can lead you down a rabbit hole of questions. But fear not, because Costco's Kirkland Signature extra virgin olive oil uses the Bureau Veritas certification, the little red label on the back of its bottles, which means it's legit. Bureau Veritas tests, inspects, and certifies products around the globe; the key to its certification is its independent status and ability to trace the origin of your olive oil. In this case, Kirkland Signature EVOO can be traced to Italy.

This is great news because at just under $28 for 2 liters, the Costco version is one of the best you can find for the quality (several 750-mL bottles will run for the same amount as Costco's 2-liter size). In addition to its certification, you can tell it's the real deal by its taste; real extra virgin olive oil tastes green and grassy with a bright, earthy pepperiness. Luckily, this Kirkland Signature olive oil passes this taste test, which is why it's one of our 7 items you should pick up on your next trip to Costco.

Though you may not be able to tell upon glancing at it, there is a difference between olive oil and extra virgin olive oil, and it all depends on the extraction method. There's a reason people love extra virgin olive oil — it's unprocessed, chemical-free, cold-pressed oil from crushed olives. It must come from the first pressing and contain a specific amount of acidity (regular olive oil can use heat and chemicals in its extraction process). Extra virgin olive oil is also loaded with more healthy polyphenols. This is why it typically costs more than other grades of olive oil.

This may sound like you should always ignore regular olive oil, but keep the smoke point in mind if you cook. While cooking with extra virgin olive oil is fine, it has a lower smoke point; once your oil begins smoking, it starts to oxidize and can create harmful compounds you do not want to eat! This is a common error and is one of the 13 mistakes people often make with olive oil.

Generally, regular olive oil's smoke point is 390-470 degrees Fahrenheit, while extra virgin olive oil's is 350-430 degrees. Knowing when to use each type of olive oil is important, and luckily, Costco sells them all!