CHOICE tested olive oils in July 2026 by having trained tasters compare supermarket brands against premium ones. The test included Cobram Estate, Aldi's The Olive Tree, Mount Zero, Bertolli, and supermarket house brands.

How did they test? CHOICE used trained tasting panels — the same way competitive olive oil competitions work. Tasters scored each oil on smell, taste, and whether it had problems like rancidity or mustiness. This method catches quality issues that a simple lab test might miss. A best-before date tells you when an oil expires, but not whether it has gone off in transit or storage.

The brands tested range from budget to artisan. CHOICE's tool includes supermarket private labels (the cheapest), Bertolli (a long-established import), Cobram Estate (a premium Australian producer), and Mount Zero (a small-batch oil from the Grampians).

This test matters because people have been asking: does paying extra for premium olive oil actually get you a better product? A Guardian taste test in October 2023 found a $7 supermarket bottle performed well against much pricier oils. With grocery bills rising, consumers want to know if the premium price is justified. The CHOICE test arrives in that context.

Australian olive oil production has grown a lot since the early 2000s. Growers found that parts of Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia have the right climate for olives, and consumers wanted Australian-made oils. Cobram Estate grew into one of the world's largest olive producers — which is worth noting because it started as an artisan brand but now operates at industrial scale. That does not mean the oil is worse, just that size changes how a company works.

Why does this test matter beyond curiosity? Food companies, restaurants, and supermarket managers rely on sensory testing to know if oils have degraded. A competition medal from harvest time does not guarantee an oil still tastes good when it sits on a shelf six months later. Real-world testing at the point of purchase — when shoppers actually buy — is the only way to know what you are getting.