The Olive Oil Brand Alton Brown Swears By
Those that are beginning to think more thoughtfully about where the products and ingredients they buy are coming from, might also be learning how to choose the best quality of products. Olive oil is a great starting place for many, however, there's not too many things to look for on a label. And if you use olive oil for dishes like salads and dips where it is front and center, you'll likely notice the step up in flavor and the oil's aromatics.
While you might already know to look for cold pressed olive oil, it's also important to buy olive oil that is extra virgin and that is not light (via Bon Appétit). That means the olive oil has not been as processed or refined, which can take away some of the best qualities of olive oil — its taste and smell. It's also best to buy olive oil that comes from a single origin. So, if the label says it's made in Italy and has the Italian initials, IT, on the back of the bottle, it's a better pick. Finally, don't buy olive oil that comes in translucent glass. Air and oxygen are the enemy of olive oil because it makes it spoil faster, so look for opaque containers. Fortunately, Alton Brown's favorite olive oil follows all of these rules.
Georgia Olive Farms really knows their product
According to Food Network, Brown loves olive oil made in his home state, Georgia. He said, "I'm crazy about Georgia Olive Farms olive oil because it's green, bright, fruity and from my home state." Of course he's not wrong. The brand claims, "the first olives harvested east of the Mississippi since the 1800s," so if you don't trust Brown for some unknown reason, a single-origin farm with a history like that must know a thing or two about olive oil (via Georgia Olive Farms). Truthfully, they've been making olive oil for 10 years now, and they use several varietals from around the world.
The brand also has a loyal following of celebrity chefs apart from Brown too. Sean Brock, the chef behind McCrady's and Husk, who was featured on Netflix's Chef's Table, sources his olive oil from the company too (via Tasting Table). Hot-shot fans aside, the olive oil does fit the right things to look for when buying olive oil. The bottle is dark and opaque, the first cold-pressed oil comes from a single place, and isn't refined. So, try it for yourself. You just might find it's a high quality product made in the U.S. worth ordering.