Why is good olive oil so expensive?

Why is good olive oil so expensive?

It's tempting to choose the cheapest olive oil on the shelf. They all look the same. But there's a world of difference - both in taste, quality and how the oil is made.

At CARDENAU, we only offer organic, cold-pressed olive oil from a single producer who cultivates and harvests with respect for the craft. It costs a little more. But there's a good reason for that.

The short answer

Good olive oil is more expensive because it requires more work, better raw materials, and careful processing. It is pressed from fresh, hand-picked olives without heat or chemical treatment. This ensures higher quality, better taste, and more nutrients – but it costs.

What determines the price?

There are five main factors that make good olive oil more expensive:

1. Sort and quality
Not all olives are created equal. Varieties such as Arbequina and Pico Limón yield a more complex and fruity oil, but they have lower yields and require more precision in harvesting.

2. Cultivation method
Organic production without pesticides means lower yields per hectare, but higher quality and purity in the taste. The farm is run like a garden, not a factory.

3. Harvesting time
Olives harvested early in the season have a higher content of polyphenols and a fresher taste, but they contain less oil - and therefore production becomes more expensive.

4. Harvesting and pressing
Hand-picking and cold-pressing within 30 minutes is expensive and time-consuming, but it is necessary to preserve flavor, aroma, and nutrients. Industrially produced oil may be made from old, overripe, or even rotten olives, pressed at high heat.

5. Transport and packaging
Good olive oil is often bottled in dark glass to protect it from light and oxygen. It weighs more and costs more – but it helps preserve the quality. At CARDENAU, we also choose to package in larger bottles (750 ml and 3000 ml) to give you the best value for money.

Is it worth the money?

Yes – if you want oil that tastes, smells and is good for you. A good olive oil can elevate a simple tomato, add depth to pasta and bring a salad to life. At the same time, you get an oil with proven health-promoting properties.

And ultimately, it's only a few kroner per meal.

Our approach

We have chosen to collaborate with Peña Luna, who supply organic extra virgin olive oil from their own fields in Spain. The olives are harvested by hand and cold-pressed immediately. The result is an oil that we use every day - both in our kitchen and at our table.

From our family to your kitchen.

We only sell what we use ourselves. That's why our olive oil isn't the cheapest - but we can confidently say it's worth the money.

Would you like to taste the difference yourself?

Try our organic olive oil from Peña Luna. Cold-pressed, hand-picked and full of character.
Buy it here.