I've had a bottle in a cupboard for about a year, and I'm wondering if it's still ok.  I've read some things that say 6 months to a few years.  It wasn't opened yet.  

THank you for your help!!!


I see in swami it says a couple months.  Grrrrr...

If it is has been kept stored in a cool, dark place it should be fine. Smell it to see if it's rancid.
I buy it bulk in four litre tins from someone who has it imported in directly from the grower's in Greece. They can last four years with the right environment. It's important that the oil be kept out of the light and in a cool environment.

I have changed my opinion on olive oil rancidity.  I used to buy 1 gallon tins directly from a family-owned organic olive farm, and pour off smaller amounts into bottles with a cork.  It would take months before it was all used.  I started noticing the difference in smell (I have a very sensitive sniffer) between that oil and small bottles that I occasionally purchased.  The little bottles had a delicate aroma and a fresher taste.

Then I began to read conflicting statements.  Some people say that it can last for months or years and others say that it does indeed develop rancidity even if it doesn't smell that way.

Since the balance of my health is delicate, I'm not taking chances on something like this that I eat daily.  I buy bottles that are approx. 1 pint in size and keep them in the refrigerator until 1/2 hour or so before I need to use them.  I let them stay out only long enough for a little oil at the top to liquify.

I suspect that the "lighter" olive oils would last longer:

EVOO < pure OO < extra light OO

sort of like white rice last longer than brown rice.  

I trust my nose.  If it smells like olive oil, it's good.  If it smells rancid, it's time to toss it.