How to Detect Rancid Olive Oil

Rancid is defined as: "having a rank smell and taste."

If the oil tastes bad, it probably IS bad.

Rancid oil will have an unusual smell to it and taste bitter.

How to Taste-Test Your Olive Oil

• Put your hand over the bottle, remove your hand, and smell the oil. Keep in mind that extra virgin olive oil should smell and taste of the fruit from which it is made...it should be a bit fruity and olivey.



• You should smell something like olives, fresh cut grass, aromatic herbs or fresh fruit, that are considered positive attributes of olive oil.



• If not, you could have just a flat olive oil with no flavor or a bad one that could be defined as rancid, old, metallic, musty-humid, fusty or winey – bitter, or acidic.