The olive oil that my family and I have always used since I can remember is Filippo Berio. I have never seen this product featured on this website. Is this oil commonly used in Italy or is there an even better product that I could find here in the states?

I do not remember brio being a famous Oil in Italy - There is anyway plenty of selection of better oils - Most quality olive oil have the date of harvest - some of tem a dark glass so it preserve the oil better (Oil spoils with sun light ) -
Here are some olive oil tests

http://my.lifeinitaly.com/food


Paolo

Giacomo, I remembered your message when I was in the supermarket recently and looked at Berrio Olive Oil. If you read the fine print, you will see that it is produced using olives from a number of countries - Italy; Spain and Morocco I think as well as at least one other country. This can be a sign of lower quality olive oil. Personally, I would stick with an olive oil with a single country origin for the olives.

Some of these big brand name Oils are very rarely used in Italy. As jeaniegina says, they tend to have a mixture of oils from different countries. The higher quality Olive Oils are not mass produced and tend to be packaged differently; with a numbered and dated label and certificate of authenticity.

One of the best Oils I have ever tasted is award winning Olio Flora from Mogliano in the Marche. This oil is produced by a local farmer and is of exceptional quality, but you will never find it in the supermarkets.

I use Berrio oil only for cooking - even their extra-virgin is not up to Italy's high standards. Besides, in this day of "lepante" oil from africa being resold as extra-virgin, who knows what you are really getting with these big brands.

One major brand sold in the US (not berrio but on the same shelf at the market)has been identified as combining several oils - including hazelnut oil, bottled it in Italy and sold it as "Italian Extra-Virgin Olive Oil". I believe the case was settled out of court.

As to why I use Berrio at all?....They are part of Upromise so I get a little bit of my student loan reduced when I buy it.

Otherwise I really like the unfiltered sicilian oils - Onesto is one brand I like and there is another one Barbera Grand Reserve ( Manfredi Barbera & Figli s.p.a) that has won a few gold medals.

thanks to all of you for your responses. Does anyone know of a good olive oil that is available here in the states?

Giacomo, My company supplies olive oil to SYSCO which then distributes it to various restaurants and food service people. I do not have a specific name to give you but I have just posted some general olive oil information which may be of interest. I would just suggest you read labels to see the origin of the olives. Generally, olives from one country will mean a better grade of olive oil because there is more control.