Packaging: a key element in choosing a quality olive oil

Olive oil is a precious product with many health benefits. Unlike wine, it does not improve with age. On the contrary, its quality and properties deteriorate quickly if it is not stored in the right conditions. This is why the choice of packaging is essential when selecting olive oil. Let's examine the different types of containers available on the market and their respective advantages and disadvantages.

Glass bottles for olive oil: a common choice but not always optimal

Glass is arguably the most widely used material for packaging olive oil, especially for premium oils. It has several advantages:

• Inert and non-porous, it does not alter the taste of the oil
• Infinitely recyclable
• Aesthetic and enhancing the product

However, clear glass poses a major problem: it lets light through, which is one of olive oil's worst enemies. UV rays quickly degrade the oil's polyphenols and other beneficial compounds, altering its nutritional and organoleptic quality.

This is why we are increasingly seeing oils packaged in painted and tinted glass, usually dark green or amber. The latter solution limits damage but does not eliminate it completely. Studies have shown that even dark glass bottles allow a certain amount of light to pass through, enough to trigger oxidation reactions in the oil over the long term.

The metal bottle for packaging olive oil: good protection but not without its flaws

Metal cans and bottles, usually made of aluminum or stainless steel, provide excellent protection against light and oxygen. They have several advantages:

• Total opacity preserving the oil from UV rays
• Lightness for easy transport
• Strength to prevent breakage

We also recognize the charm of the aesthetics of certain metal cans, which offer a rather pleasant vintage appearance.

However, metal also has its drawbacks. There is a real risk of transferring the metallic taste to the olive oil. Recycling this packaging is also complex.

It should also be noted that some metals can react with the acids naturally present in olive oil, especially if the inner coating of the container is damaged. This can not only alter the taste of the oil but also potentially introduce unwanted metallic elements into the product.

The plastic bottle: an olive oil packaging to avoid as much as possible

Despite its low cost and lightness, plastic should be avoided for packaging quality olive oil. Its drawbacks are numerous:

• Oxygen permeability accelerating rancidity
• Possible migration of harmful substances into the oil
• Disastrous environmental impact
• Low-end, unflattering image

If you see olive oil in a clear plastic bottle, run away! This is the worst possible packaging for this fragile product.

It's important to understand that plastic, even food-grade plastic, is not completely inert. Studies have shown that chemicals found in plastic, such as phthalates or bisphenol A, can leach into oil over time.

Additionally, plastic is permeable to oxygen, meaning that even a sealed bottle lets small amounts of air in. Oxygen is olive oil's number one enemy, causing it to oxidize and form unwanted compounds that impair its taste and reduce its health benefits.

The BIB: an innovative solution for olive oil

Originating from the wine world, the Bag-in-Box (BIB) has established itself as an ideal packaging solution for olive oil. Domaine Clos des Faucons offers this practical format in a 2L version, perfect for regular use at home.

The BIB acts as a true eco-refill, allowing you to store a large quantity of oil without risk of deterioration. Its ingenious system makes it easy to fill a serving bottle, ensuring optimal use of the product.

Although the inner pouch isn't yet recyclable everywhere, solutions are being developed to improve its environmental impact. Despite this small drawback, the BIB remains an eco-friendly option thanks to its ability to reduce waste and extend the oil's shelf life.

By choosing the Domaine Clos des Faucons BIB, you are opting for a practical, economical solution that respects the quality of your favorite olive oil.

Sandstone: the innovative option chosen by Domaine Clos des Faucons

Faced with the limitations of traditional materials, some producers are innovating by offering alternative containers. This is the case at Domaine Clos des Faucons, where we opted for stoneware bottles—a bold and relevant choice in many ways.

Optimal protection for olive oil

Sandstone provides remarkable thermal insulation, keeping the oil at a stable temperature. This property is crucial because temperature fluctuations accelerate the aging of the oil. Furthermore, sandstone is completely opaque, protecting the oil from UV rays that destroy its valuable compounds.

Interestingly, stoneware, in addition to its preservative qualities, has natural antibacterial properties. This helps maintain the purity of the oil throughout its lifespan, an added advantage over other materials.

Finally, the porous texture of the sandstone allows for controlled micro-oxygenation of the oil, a process which, paradoxically, can help maintain certain organoleptic qualities of the product without accelerating its overall oxidation.

A natural and ecological material

Sandstone is a natural sedimentary rock, composed primarily of quartz. Its use is perfectly in line with an eco-responsible approach:

• Abundant and local raw material
• Energy-efficient manufacturing
• Exceptional durability
• Recyclable and biodegradable
• A total absence of disruptors

Unlike plastic or even some glass, stoneware is chemically inert, so there is no risk of unwanted substances migrating into the oil.

Innovative and distinctive packaging

In a highly competitive market, choosing sandstone allows us to stand out visually. This noble and authentic material enhances the product and reflects its high-end positioning.

The choice of this packaging material is perfectly in line with the commitments of Clos des Faucons, which cultivates its olive trees organically, respecting the environment. The choice of 100% natural and recyclable packaging is a logical part of this global approach.

How to choose your olive oil based on the packaging?

In light of these elements, here are some tips for selecting a quality olive oil, taking into account its packaging:

• Choose opaque containers that protect the oil from light. Stoneware is ideal, but if not, opt for dark-tinted glass or metal.
• Check the harvest or bottling date and choose the most recent oil possible. Olive oil can be stored for a maximum of 18 months under good conditions.
• Examine the label: a quality oil will mention its precise origin, its olive variety, and ideally its acidity level.
• Be wary of clear glass or plastic bottles, especially if they are displayed in bright light in the store.
• For optimal storage at home, keep your oil away from light and heat, ideally between 15 and 18°C.
• Choose small containers that you can consume quickly. Once opened, the oil oxidizes upon contact with air.

Don't hesitate to invest in a carefully packaged, high-quality oil like that of Domaine Clos des Faucons. Quality comes at a price, but your palate and your health will thank you!

The Future of Olive Oil Packaging

The choice of stoneware could well mark the beginning of a new trend in the world of high-end olive oil. It is conceivable that other natural and innovative materials will emerge in the coming years, such as technical ceramics and 100% plant-based and biodegradable materials.

The packaging industry is also working on high-tech solutions, such as glass bottles with integrated anti-UV coatings, or "smart" containers capable of monitoring the quality of the oil and alerting the consumer in the event of deterioration.

Whatever the future developments, it is clear that packaging will remain a key element in preserving and promoting quality olive oil. Producers like Domaine Clos des Faucons, who place as much importance on the container as on the content, will undoubtedly be best placed to meet growing consumer expectations in terms of quality and sustainability.