The Brand at a Glance
Bertolli is one of the oldest and most internationally recognizable olive oil brands, with roots in Lucca, Italy dating to 1865. For a complete overview, see our Best Olive Oil Brands guide.The brand became globally known through its association with Mediterranean cuisine and is now owned by Mizkan America, the same company that also owns Mueller's1.
Bertolli occupies a distinctive position in the US market: it is marketed as a premium Italian brand while operating at commodity pricing and commodity-scale sourcing. The brand's Italian heritage is genuine, but its current production reflects a large-scale, globally-sourced operation rather than a traditional Italian estate producer.
The brand offers multiple product tiers: a standard "Extra Virgin Olive Oil" line, a "Light" line (refined), and an "Organic" line. Bertolli's organic products are certified under USDA FoodData Central2.
Sourcing and Production
Bertolli sources its standard EVOO from multiple Mediterranean origins — primarily Italy, Spain, Greece, and Turkey — blended to produce a consistent product. The company's scale requires multi-origin sourcing to maintain availability across Harvest variations.
For its premium and organic lines, Bertolli has established more specific origin contracts with Italian producers. The organic line carries DOP certification for specific regional production, though the standard blue-label product is a multi-origin blend.
The company's Italian mill operations give it more direct control over production quality than most commodity brands, but the volume requirements of the brand's distribution mean that not every bottle can come from single-estate or highly traceable sources.
Flavor Profile
Bertolli's standard EVOO has a mild, consumer-friendly profile:
- Light fruitiness — subtle, approachable
- Very low bitterness — no throat-catching sensation
- Neutral finish — no distinct olive character
- High smoke point — suitable for everyday cooking applications
This profile reflects deliberate production choices: Bertolli optimizes for broad consumer acceptance and cooking versatility rather than for the assertive, complex flavor of premium single-estate oils. For consumers who find high-phenol EVOO too bitter or peppery, Bertolli offers a gentler introduction to olive oil.
Chemical Profile
Based on IOC export data and third-party testing:
- Free acidity: typically 0.15–0.35%
- Peroxide value: 5–12 meq/kg
- Polyphenol content: 180–280 mg/kg (moderate)
- UV absorbency: within IOC EVOO parameters
Bertolli has not been flagged in UC Davis or similar fraud investigations as a consistently failing brand. Its chemical profile supports the EVOO designation, though the polyphenol content is lower than premium single-estate oils1.
Price and Value
Bertolli retails at approximately $9–14 per 500ml for the standard line, with organic products reaching $18–24 per 500ml. This positions it as a mid-range product at an accessible price — more expensive than true commodity brands (Mueller's) but less than premium single-estate producers.
For the price, Bertolli offers: genuine extra virgin olive oil with documented IOC certification, consistent quality and availability, and Italian heritage branding. The main limitation is the multi-origin blending model, which means you cannot trace the specific olives in your bottle to a single region or producer.
The Verdict
Bertolli is a reliable, accessible extra virgin olive oil with genuine Italian heritage and documented quality certification. It is not a premium or complex olive oil, and consumers looking for maximum polyphenol content or single-estate character should look elsewhere. But for everyday cooking where olive oil quality matters but budget is a consideration, Bertolli is a defensible choice within the EVOO category.
The organic line offers better traceability and a more authentic Italian production story, at a price that is still below most premium estate oils.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bertolli olive oil good quality?
Bertolli is a well-established mid-market Italian olive oil brand (founded 1867) with IOC certification. Their standard EVOO products are generally genuine and reliable for everyday cooking use. Their premium line offers better quality with more distinctive Italian cultivar profiles. Bertolli represents consistent mid-market Italian olive oil — not premium boutique but reliable for regular kitchen use. Their organic line and refined products serve different market needs appropriately.1
What is the difference between Bertolli EVOO and refined olive oil?
Bertolli's EVOO products are genuine extra virgin olive oil meeting IOC standards with the full polyphenol content. Their refined "Pure" olive oil line is chemically processed, neutral-tasting, and contains no polyphenols. As with all brands, the EVOO products deliver the documented health benefits; the refined products do not. The choice depends on cooking application — EVOO for medium-heat cooking and raw use, refined for high-heat deep frying.1
Where does Bertolli olive oil come from?
Bertolli sources olives from Italian and Mediterranean growing regions, representing traditional Italian olive oil production. Their products maintain the Italian olive oil tradition with modern quality control — their IOC certification verifies their EVOO status. Bertolli is one of the most recognized Italian olive oil brands in international markets.1