Find your flavor

Q: Which olive oil is best for cooking versus finishing?

For cooking with heat, use a milder, sturdier oil. Save your best, most flavorful extra virgin olive oil for finishing, added at the end over pasta, soup, grilled vegetables, or bread.

Q: Can I cook with extra virgin olive oil?

Yes, extra virgin olive oil holds up well to frying, sautéing, poaching, dressing, and baking thanks to a high smoke point around 410°F.

Q: Can I substitute olive oil for butter in baking?

Yes, though butter is solid and oil is liquid, so texture may vary slightly. Swapping one liquid fat for another is a more even trade.

Q: Are your olive oils Kosher, gluten-free, and dairy-free?

Yes. Our EVOOs and custom blends are Kosher certified (Pareve), and all our olive oils are gluten-free and dairy-free.

Q: Are your balsamic vinegars gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan?

Yes. None of our balsamic vinegars contain gluten, dairy, or animal-derived ingredients or processing aids.

Q: Are your balsamic vinegars Kosher?

Not currently. Our balsamic vinegars are not Kosher certified at this time.

With more than 60 tasting stations, oils from 16 countries, and balsamics aged in Modena, choosing can feel like a lot. This is the help you would get at our counter, wherever you happen to be. Answer six quick questions and we will point you to the bottle we would hand you in person.

Start below

Question 1 of 6

First things first, who am I helping you shop for?

Question 2 of 6

How well do they know olive oils and balsamics?

Question 3 of 6

Want a tried-and-true favorite, or should I surprise you?

Question 4 of 6

What flavors do they lean toward?

Question 5 of 6

How will they actually use it?

Question 6 of 6

Olive oil, balsamic, or should I surprise you?

Pulling something off the shelf for you…

How to choose a bottle

It comes down to three questions, the same ones we ask at the counter. Answer these and you are most of the way there.

The use

How will you use it?

A cooking oil is your everyday workhorse for heat. A finishing oil is a condiment, added at the end where its flavor can come through. The same goes for balsamic: everyday bottles for dressings, thick aged ones for drizzling.

The flavor

What flavors do you love?

Bold and peppery, bright and citrusy, rich and earthy, or sweet and fruity. There is no wrong answer, and it is the fastest way to narrow sixty bottles down to a few worth tasting.

The person

Who is it for?

Something approachable for a friend new to all this, a hidden gem for the person who has tried everything, or a workhorse for your own kitchen. The finder steers by who you have in mind.

Questions we hear a lot

What is the difference between dark and white balsamic?

Dark balsamics are aged longer and taste deeper and sweeter, with notes of fig and molasses. White balsamics are lighter and brighter, with more acidity and less sweetness, and they will not darken a dish. Reach for a dark balsamic over strawberries or a cheese board, and a white balsamic on a green salad or fish where you want the color to stay clean.

Which olive oil is best for cooking versus finishing?

For cooking with heat, use a milder, sturdier oil so you are not wasting the delicate flavors that break down in the pan. Save your best, most flavorful extra virgin oil for finishing, added at the very end over pasta, soup, grilled vegetables, or bread. Having one of each is not fussy, it is just using the right tool for the job.

How long does olive oil last once opened?

Olive oil is freshest within a few months of opening. Keep it away from heat and light, use it rather than saving it for a special occasion, and buy a size you will realistically finish while it is fresh.

Can I cook with extra virgin olive oil?

Yes, it's one of the best oils for the job. Extra virgin holds up beautifully to frying, sautéing, poaching, dressing, and baking thanks to a high smoke point around 410°F.

Can I substitute olive oil for butter in baking?

Yes, though keep in mind butter is solid and oil is liquid, so your baked goods may come out with a slightly different texture. Swapping one liquid fat for another is a much more even trade.

Are your olive oils Kosher, gluten-free, and dairy-free?

Yes to all three. Our EVOOs and custom blends are Kosher certified (Pareve), and every olive oil we carry is gluten-free and dairy-free. Ask our team in-store for a copy of any certificate or allergen statement.

Is your butter olive oil dairy and soy free?

Yes. The butter flavor comes from a plant-based essential oil, not dairy, so it's completely dairy and soy free.

Are your balsamic vinegars gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan?

Yes across the board. None of our balsamics contain gluten, dairy, or any animal-derived ingredients or processing aids.

Are your balsamic vinegars Kosher?

Not currently, no. Our balsamic vinegars are not Kosher certified at this time.

Taste with us in Glen Ellyn

The finder is the next best thing to standing at our counter, but nothing beats tasting for yourself. Stop by, sample across more than 60 stations, and let us help you find your new favorite.

Olive 'n Vinnie's 449 N Main St, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 534-6457