Olive oil can be the nectar of the gods. The Mediterranean favorite is growing in popularity around the world for its health benefits, which can range from lowering cholesterol to preventing long-term diseases and memory loss.

However, olive oil purchased in grocery stores can easily turn rancid and stale if not stored properly, either before purchase or after you bring it home. Since it tends to be a more expensive cooking oil, most consumers are interested in keeping it fresh.

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Dietician Gayle Alleman reported at howstuffworks.com that olive oils are fragile and can easily go bad. Since they can be expensive, Alleman’s advice is important to heed. First, choose a cool place. Olive oil can be placed in the refrigerator for long-term storage.

Because it will congeal, consider keeping only a small amount at room temperature. Keep the rest in the fridge. However, not every olive oil producer will recommend refrigeration. The issue becomes one of taste. Refrigerated oil will still be safe, it just might not taste as good.

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Watch the age of the oil, Alleman says, because the acidity level will rise as it ages. While that might be good for health (those oleic acids are what make olive oil good for you) the taste will not be good. Do not store it for more than a year. After that time, the vitamin E, chlorophyll, and beta-carotene which help make the olive oil healthy have started to deteriorate.

The container for olive oil storage can also make a big difference in how long it lasts. California Olive Ranch recommends making sure your olive oil is not exposed to light. This is why dark bottles are often better choices. Olive oil should not be kept by a window where it can be exposed to ultraviolet light. California Olive Ranch actually advises that putting the olive oil in a cupboard is much better than the refrigerator which can make the oil too cold and break down the flavor.

Since exposure to air is also detrimental to the oil, storage in several smaller containers can keep your total supply fresher until needed. This company advises using up oil that is opened in as little as 30 to 60 days.

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