From budget supermarket finds to premium independent brands, I tested olive and avocado oils to see which ones are worth buying.
Sophie Harris Senior Lifestyle Reporter
07:00, 07 Apr 2026
I tried 12 olive oils(Image: ABBPhoto via Getty Images)
Olive oil isn’t just delicious – it also offers significant health benefits. Packed with beneficial fats and antioxidants, it can promote heart health, combat inflammation, and potentially boost brain function. Extra virgin olive oil stands as the superior choice due to its minimal processing, which retains the majority of its nutrients and distinctive taste. Whether you’re cooking, dressing salads, or simply dunking bread, it’s incredibly versatile, with flavours varying considerably depending on its origin.
I personally sampled numerous olive and avocado oils, sourced from both major retailers and boutique producers, to evaluate their differences. The tasting experience highlighted the remarkable diversity available, making it rewarding to discover truly exceptional varieties.
Belazu
Belazu Early Harvest Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Produced from Arbequina olives harvested while still immature, this method typically yields a richer flavour profile. The oil proved delightful when drizzled over salad greens or used for dipping bread, such as focaccia. Among the oils sampled during testing, this ranked amongst the most flavourful options. Priced at £22.50 for 1L or £11.50 for 500ml, it’s certainly not inexpensive, though quality olive oil rarely is, the Express reports.
Score: 4/5
Belazu Verdemanda Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Another Spanish extra virgin variety crafted from Arbequina olives, though this one remains unfiltered and undergoes flash-freezing post-pressing, designed to maintain freshness and aromatic qualities. The olives are gathered ahead of the main harvest, resulting in significantly reduced yields but achieving remarkably vibrant colouration. The result is a vibrant, punchy oil that I found significantly more robust. It possessed a distinctive grassy taste that complemented bread brilliantly. Perfect for adding the final touch to dishes such as salads, where I craved extra flavour and intensity. At £21 for 500ml, it’s a premium.
I absolutely loved the Belazu olive oils(Image: Sophie Harris)
Score: 3.5/5
Belazu Crete Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sourced from Koroneiki olives cultivated on the Greek island of Crete, this variety represents one of Greece’s most favoured choices for olive oil production.
I discovered this to be a well-balanced, richly flavoured extra virgin olive oil with a subtle peppery kick. Compared to the Spanish varieties, this offered a more mellow, accessible taste profile, making it my go-to all-rounder. The flavour was excellent, and it’s become one of my most frequently used bottles. Currently available at Waitrose for just £8.15 for 500ml.
The main drawback is that these olive oils sit outside many shoppers’ price range.
Score: 3/5
GOOD PHATS
I recently sampled a selection of GOOD PHATS oils, testing everything from classic extra virgin olive oils to lighter avocado sprays.
Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray
A classic, fruity olive oil featuring gentle peppery undertones. Incredibly adaptable, I particularly enjoyed drizzling it over salads, breads and lightly charred vegetables. The spray bottle retails for approximately £6.50 for 200ml.
While the flavour was full-bodied, it remained pleasantly subtle, establishing it as an excellent kitchen essential.
Score: 4/5
Spanish Light Avocado Oil Spray
Mild, buttery and surprisingly smooth is how I would describe this oil from GOOD PHATS. It’s ideal for high-temperature cooking due to its elevated smoke point, while its subtle flavour doesn’t dominate the dishes. This spray bottle costs around £6.50 for 200ml.
Score: 5/5
The avocado spray was my favourite(Image: Sophie Harris)
Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This olive oil delivered exactly what I’d expect from an Italian extra virgin olive oil. It was rich and full-bodied, featuring a peppery finish and distinctive green hue. The bottle is presently available on Ocado for £12.50 per 500ml, though it typically retails at £15.60.
This particular oil excels when drizzled over pasta, chargrilled vegetables, or, as one family member particularly enjoyed it, accompanying fish.
Score: 4/5
Spanish Light Avocado Oil
Comparable to the spray format but presented in a convenient drizzle bottle, it emerged as one of my surprise go-to choices for daily cooking. The flavour was simply delightful. This spray bottle costs approximately £6.50 for 200ml, though it’s frequently discounted.
Score: 5/5
Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Like the spray version, but also packaged in a practical drizzle bottle, this extra virgin olive oil proved excellent for numerous dishes, including salads. This bottle currently costs £11.95 for 700ml on Ocado, though it’s normally priced at £14.95.
The bottles vary in cost but represent good value and have proved long-lasting in my kitchen. These certainly rank amongst my top picks.
Score: 4/5
bona
The Organic Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil from bona is priced at £22.50 for 750ml, and is said to strike a balance between outstanding flavour, nutritional benefits and environmentally conscious farming methods.
It’s vacuum sealed to preserve maximum flavour and polyphenol content right up until you use it.
The bag also features a tap at the base, which means as the oil is dispensed, the bag shrinks rather than drawing in air, thereby preventing oxidation.
I loved the packaging and thoughtfulness behind this olive oil(Image: Sophie Harris)
With 52 five-star reviews, fellow shoppers are clearly fans. Some have flagged that the tap pours the oil a little too quickly — a view I share, as a narrower spout would’ve been more practical.
That said, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable olive oil, and the thoughtful design, along with the bona story, make it a compelling choice.
Score: 3/5
Asda
Asda’s Exceptional Greek Koroneiki Extra Virgin Olive Oil
At £7.70, this bottle delivers a pleasant taste with a peppery kick and bitter, nutty notes. While impressively versatile, it didn’t particularly stand out, and several others I sampled edged ahead of it.
Score: 3.5/5
Asda’s olive oils were good all-rounders(Image: Sophie Harris)
Asda’s Extra Special Spanish Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Picual olives are amongst Spain’s most traditional and flavour-rich varieties. This oil boasted an intense fruity aroma and a richer body than anticipated, yet remained pleasantly well-balanced rather than overwhelming.
Its bold character made it an ideal companion for dipping, drizzling over salads, or finishing grilled vegetables — the latter being a particular highlight. I was pleasantly taken aback by the bold flavour of the Picual, and much like my experience with the GOOD PHATS sprays, I’ve developed quite a fondness for oils with robust, distinctive profiles that bring simple salads to life.
Score: 3/5
Whole Foods Market
365 by Whole Foods Market Extra Virgin Mediterranean Olive Oil came across as a reliable, well-rounded option. It boasts a mellow, smooth flavour, free of any peppery bite, making it a decent choice for both cooking and drizzling.
That said, it didn’t particularly wow me, and given how tricky it is to get hold of, it’s unlikely I’d add it to my shopping list.
Score: 2.5/5
Sampling all of these olive oils has been an absolute pleasure, and I’ve gained a genuine appreciation for the nuances between them and their various extraction methods. While some impressed more than others, my surprise winner remains avocado oil, and I’m thoroughly won over by spray oils. They’re far more convenient, less messy and offer far greater control.