The High

Mar 26, 2023

Olive oil can seem like the unsung hero of the kitchen. It's used in so many dishes and we often take it for granted, forgetting to appreciate it for all its rich, flavorful glory. And it can be easy to make shortcuts and go for the cheaper option when shopping for olive oil — because how much can it matter, really? Of course, it can matter a lot, which means it's a good habit to get high-quality stuff when you come across a good deal at Costco.

Myrto brand extra virgin olive oil is one of Costco's true gems. It's a high-quality olive oil imported directly from Greece and is sold in a two-pack at the warehouse club. The dual pack of oil will set you back around $75 but nets you three liters of liquid gold. There may be a bit of sticker shock, but we assure you this oil is absolutely worth the investment.

When it comes to grades of olive oil, extra-virgin is the best. It's the first pressing of the olives once they've been harvested and results in the most robust flavor. Later pressings of the olives may result in an oil that works for cooking, but it won't be able to stand on its own as an ingredient or finishing oil in the way a good extra-virgin one can. And much like coffee, the quality of olive oil is dependent on how the olives were grown and processed.

Myrto may not have the name recognition that other brands do here in the U.S., but it doesn't shy away from the flavor. In addition to being the first pressing, Myrto uses single-origin Koroneiki olives from the Kalamata region of Greece. The olives are well-balanced in taste, offering herbal notes similar to an artichoke with fruity flavors and a hint of pepper.

The benefit of buying good olive oil is that it offers depths of flavor and therefore can be used in a variety of different ways. Whipping up a vinaigrette with nice olive oil makes the finished product bright and tasty on its own, and it elevates the salad it dresses. It can be a traditional vinaigrette or something more exciting like a fresh dill vinaigrette.

Olive oil is often forgotten as a finishing oil, but it shouldn't be. In an article for StyleCaster, chef Sydney Wilcox shared the value of olive oil as a finisher, saying, "Take a note from Mediterranean dwellers and finish your dishes with a little drizzle of high-quality extra-virgin olive oil; It will make for a silky finish!" A drizzle of good oil over a finished bowl of tomato or squash soup will add a boost of creaminess to the finished bowl. It's equally wonderful when poured lightly over freshly roasted veggies, adding a gentle glaze to the likes of carrots and broccoli.

It's that versatile utility that makes investing in high-quality olive oil a good bet.