Few people appreciate a good cooking oil as much as restaurant chefs. So, when I passed by the open-concept kitchen at Gjelina NYC during a recent dinner reservation, I was wholly unsurprised to see the 3-liter carton of Corto Truly 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Professional chefs, our editors, and even Jacques Pépin have raved about this particular pantry staple for years, praising the “thick and buttery” olive oil and clever packaging that locks in the oil’s flavor while keeping it fresh for months.
Corto Truly 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil 3-Liter Pantry Size FlavorLock Box
Amazon
When we tested olive oils, we said that if you want a “viscous, silky olive oil for dipping bread into,” you can’t go wrong with Corto Truly. Consumers report using it for all sorts of things; as one reviewer said, “I use it throughout the day every day. Not just while cooking but in my morning coffee, over cottage cheese and frozen berries, and late-night ice cream.” Another wrote, “I never knew how amazing an olive oil should taste…until now. It has a depth of flavor that is deep and rich, yet smooth with a little bit of a peppery note.” “This olive oil rivals some of the best bottles I’ve had when I was in Italy,” said another impressed taster.
But perhaps what’s most notable about this oil — and why restaurant chefs love it so much — is that it’s available in a 3-liter pantry-size carton, so those who frequently cook with olive oil always have some on hand. Inside this unique carton is a vacuum-sealed bag, which keeps the freshness and flavor in, hence the name “FreshLock.” Plus, the solid carton keeps out heat, light, and air, three common culprits behind oils going rancid. To dispense, simply press the spout on the side to drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over foods and into pans, says my colleague Bridget Degnan, who tested the olive oil, adding that it’s “used by professional chefs, with one of them calling the quality “superior.”
If you’re thinking that 3 liters sounds like a lot, you’re not the only one — but skeptics have indeed been converted. “I’ve never bought olive oil in bulk, but the packaging in the box size of the Truly keeps it so fresh and tasty that it is worth it,” said one shopper. Another was “worried” that the carton “would take forever to use up,” but they were pleasantly surprised: “The packaging helped me take the chance as I knew it would have a longer shelf life. After the first tasting, though, it was clear I should not have worried… I’ll be reordering sooner than I originally assumed.” According to one home cook, “the box lasted us three months of cooking almost every day,” so it’s not surprising that restaurants love this bulk buy.
Corto Truly 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil 500-Milliliter Bottle
Corto
Even though home cooks love how the 3-liter size keeps their Corto Truly fresh and on hand, the pro-loved extra virgin olive oil also comes in a standard 500-milliliter bottle. No matter which size you opt for, shipping is free within the contiguous US. And if you’re curious about other olive oils our editors have tasted and loved, keep scrolling to get in on the bread-dipping and ice cream-drizzling action.
Shop More of the Best Olive Oils We’ve Tried
Flamingo Estate Heritage Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Flamingo Estate
Flamingo Estate Olio Nuovo
Flamingo Estate
Graza ‘The Duo’ Drizzle & Sizzle Set
Graza
La Tourangelle Organic Cold-Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Amazon
Brightland 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil Set
Brightland
At the time of publishing, the price of the 3-liter carton started at $74.
