Olive oil has been called “liquid gold” for thousands of years. Ancient cultures valued it as food and medicine, supporting strength, energy, and longevity. Today, it’s praised for its heart-healthy fats, antioxidants, and versatility in the kitchen. But here’s the catch: not all olive oils are created equal. What’s on the label doesn’t always reflect what’s in the bottle. And just because an olive oil is popular, like Graza, the brand that’s been blowing up on social media, doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your pantry, especially if you’re grabbing it inside large grocery stores.

Why Graza Olive Oil Falls Short

Graza has built its reputation on sleek branding and approachable marketing. It’s designed to look fresh, modern, and fun, but the cracks start to show when you zoom out and evaluate what matters. First, it isn’t organic. That means the olives could be sprayed with pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. This matters when using olive oil daily, on salads, drizzled over cooked meals, or even as a dip. Those chemicals can add up in your body over time, undermining the “health halo” olive oil should have.

Second, Graza comes in plastic bottles. Plastic and olive oil don’t mix well. Olive oil is sensitive to light, oxygen, and heat. Plastic allows more light penetration and raises concerns about chemical leaching, tiny amounts of plastic compounds making their way into your food. Over time, that exposure can compromise the oil’s freshness and your health. Suppose you’re going out of your way to choose olive oil for its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. In that case, storing it in a material that undermines those benefits doesn’t make sense.

Third, and maybe most concerning, Graza markets one of its oils as a frying oil. This is misleading. Olive oil has a relatively low smoke point compared to oils like avocado or coconut. Once you start heating it beyond medium-low, the oil breaks down, creating free radicals and compounds that can harm your health. In other words, the oil you thought was protecting your heart could start working against it when used incorrectly. Olive oil should be treated as a finishing oil: drizzle, dress, or lightly sauté. High-heat frying? That’s a job for a more stable fat.

What Makes a Truly Good Olive Oil

If you invest in olive oil, here’s what to look for: Organic certification, so you know the olives are free of harmful pesticides. Single-origin sourcing, meaning the olives come from one region or estate, ensures quality and prevents blending with cheaper, lower-grade oils. Cold-pressed extraction preserves antioxidants, polyphenols, and healthy fats instead of destroying them with heat or chemicals. And last but not least, packaging in dark glass. Amber glass blocks light, protecting the oil from oxidation and maintaining freshness longer. These four qualities separate a bottle of “real” extra virgin olive oil from the watered-down, mass-market versions that often line store shelves.

The Solid Option: California Olive Ranch

Costco has a reputation for carrying both mainstream and hidden-gem products. One brand you’ll see there is California Olive Ranch. This is a well-regarded name in the olive oil space for good reason. It’s organic, single-origin, and bottled in glass. That means when you buy it, you’re getting an oil handled carefully, designed to give you the health benefits and flavor olive oil should deliver. It’s not the cheapest option, but with olive oil, cutting corners usually costs you more in the long run, whether in health benefits or in the need to buy new bottles more often because the oil spoils.

The Budget-Friendly Winner: Terra Delisa

Now, here’s where Costco shines. There’s another olive oil on the shelves: Terra Delisa. This one doesn’t get as much attention as Graza or California Olive Ranch, but it’s the standout if you’re looking at quality-to-price ratio. Terra Delisa is single-origin, organic, cold-pressed, and stored in amber glass, hitting every one of the quality marks. And the kicker? It’s about half the price of California Olive Ranch. That makes it one of the best ways to keep your kitchen stocked with healthy olive oil without blowing up your grocery budget. For families, that affordability matters, but even if you’re just cooking for one, you don’t have to ration out your olive oil. You can use it freely, as it was meant to be used.

Why Packaging and Freshness Matter

One of the most overlooked aspects of olive oil is freshness. Olive oil isn’t a product that improves with age; it starts losing its nutritional value the moment it’s bottled. That’s why packaging is such a big deal. Plastic bottles or clear glass let in light, which speeds up oxidation. Once the oil oxidizes, the flavor turns flat and the health benefits drop off sharply. If you’ve ever tasted an olive oil that seems dull, almost like plain vegetable oil, that’s oxidation at work. You can extend its shelf life and protect your investment by choosing olive oil packaged in amber or dark green glass.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, your olive oil should do more than look good on your counter or trend online. It should deliver on the promise of being one of the healthiest fats in your kitchen. Graza may be popular, but it falls short where it counts: no organic certification, plastic packaging, and misleading frying claims. Costco shoppers have much better options. California Olive Ranch offers top-notch quality if you don’t mind paying more. Terra Delisa provides everything you want: organic, single-origin, cold-pressed, amber glass, at a fraction of the price.

The lesson here is simple: don’t let popularity drive your choices. Look at the details, because when it comes to olive oil, the details determine whether you’re getting real nourishment or just hype in a bottle. The good news is that Costco makes it possible to choose wisely without breaking the bank. And once you’ve tasted a truly fresh, high-quality olive oil, you’ll know the difference.

References:

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2. Battaglini E, Miralles P, Lotti N, Soccio M, Fiorini M, Coscollà C. Analysis of microplastics in commercial vegetable edible oils from Italy and Spain. Food Chem. 2024;443:138567. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138567. Epub 2024 Jan 26. PMID: 38295567.