When bottling olive oil, you must choose the right bottle to protect the olive oil. The bottle should be dark in color to prevent light penetration. You should also select an opaque one if possible. Using Inox steel or dark glass bottles. You can also use shrink-wrap capsules.
Bottles Should Be Opaque
When you purchase olive oil, you first need to choose an appropriate bottle for its packaging. This should be made of dark glass to prevent light from damaging the olive oil’s essence. Usually, olive oil is sold in glass bottles, but you can also use dark plastic bottles if you prefer. However, transparent plastic bottles provide less protection and may lead to the oil losing it’s quality faster.
Extra virgin olive oil is best stored in dark glass bottles. It must be kept away from light, heat, and oxygen to prevent oxidation. These elements will lead to the product becoming rancid, which will reduce its health benefits. Extra virgin olive oil should be stored between 60 and 72 degrees F. It should also be stored in a closed area and away from chemicals and food.
Olive oil should be kept in the dark glass bottle or stainless steel container. This will prevent sunlight from damaging the oil and keep it fresher for longer. If you cannot afford a dark glass bottle, you can use a large tin and pour it into a dark bottle. But avoid plastic or metal containers because they will leach chemicals into the oil.
Unlike other oils, olive oil is not processed after it is harvested. As a result, the olives may have been exposed to oxygen, which speeds up the oxidation process. Additionally, light, heat, and air can all negatively affect the quality of olive oil. As a result, it is essential to buy opaque bottles to protect your olive oil from the elements.
Dark Glass
When storing your olive oil, you should use a dark glass bottle. These bottles are designed with spout stoppers, so you can accurately dispense the oil into your container. This will help you use less oil and eat healthier. These bottles can be found at most home improvement stores and online.
A dark glass bottle will keep the olive oil from absorbing harmful UV rays. Moreover, it will prevent the oil from absorbing any chemicals that come with sunlight. Another great thing about dark bottles is that they are recyclable and easier to carry around. These bottles come in various shapes and sizes, including square, round, and antique-style.
If you are looking for a stylish dispenser for your olive oil, you may want to consider the Olipac Chic Copper Olive Oil Dispenser. It can hold 16.9 ounces of fat and add a nice pop of color to your table. The bottle’s spout is the best for drizzling olive oil, and its slim and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around.
Another great option is a ceramic bottle. These bottles are easy to clean and have a spout for pouring the oil. These bottles are also dishwasher-friendly. They are great for protecting olive crude from sunlight and looking beautiful. You can even have a ceramic bottle custom-made if you wish.
Inox Steel
For a high-volume olive oil bottling process, Inox steel is the ideal material. It has the same water resistance properties as glass and offers total protection against light and shock. Inox steel is available in various sizes and is ideal for small to medium olive oil facilities.
In the past, olive oil has been packaged in glass and plastics. More recently, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has captured a sizeable retail market share. PET exhibits excellent mechanical properties and low oxygen permeability. The material is also highly recyclable.
Olive oil must be stored away from oxygen to avoid oxidation. Oxygen helps to affect the taste and aroma of the oil, so it’s important to use containers that don’t let oxygen in. One solution has been to use nitrogen gas under pressure. It’s odorless and tasteless and fills the space between the oil and the container. In this way, olive oil maintains its freshness and organoleptic properties.
The 304 stainless steel fusti tank is an excellent solution for bottling olive oil. It’s easy to clean and has a screw-top lid. It has comfortable handles at the top and prevents light and oxygen from affecting the oil. It’s also easy to use and comes with a stainless steel spigot. It’s a good option for small-scale producers and is the perfect size for bottling olive oil.
Shrink-Wrap Capsules
For a professional-quality bottling process, shrink-wrap capsules are essential. These capsules can be applied manually or on a high-speed pill dispensing machine. Once applied, heat is used to shrink the tablet onto the bottle.
Shrink-wrap capsules can be used as a finishing touch for olive oil bottles. They are inexpensive and easy to use, creating an airtight, tamper-proof seal on the bottle. Shrink-wrap capsules come in various colors and patterns and often feature a grape leaf design. You can customize these capsules to give your bottle a more personal look.
Another advantage of heat-shrink capsules is their carbon footprint. This carbon emission is lower than other plastic packaging options, making them more sustainable. Also, they don’t have logos, and the average consumer won’t know the difference between a PLA capsule and a conventional shrink cap.
To bottle olive oil, you must invest in the right equipment. Some of the equipment is expensive, so choose wisely. Several containers are available, including tanks, drums, and bottles. You can also use hand pumps or gravity fillers to bottle small amounts. You should also consider the bottle color. Using darker bottles will slow the oxidation process.
Labeling
The process of labeling olive oil bottles is a delicate one and can be time-consuming and expensive. Labels must communicate a clear message to customers and be aesthetically pleasing. A professional graphic artist can help you choose a design that fits your brand identity. If you do not have the time to create your label, you can purchase pre-designed labels and add custom text and images to make them more unique.
The main visual field of your label should contain the name of your company and the designation of origin. This information will vary depending on where you harvested the olives and where you milled them. However, the information on the label should be legible and indelible for the end consumer. In addition to the product name and origin, the title should include the net quantity of olive oil. If you decide to use paper labels, make sure to choose a durable stock to avoid scratches and oil stains.
The extra virgin olive oil on the label is usually expressed in extended or abbreviated forms. The liter can also be replaced with a different volume unit. The maximum extra virgin olive oil sold to the final consumer is five liters. The producer of the oil should also be listed on the label.
Storage
Dark glass bottles are one of the most common methods of preserving olive oil after bottling. The purpose of such bottles is to prevent light from penetrating the olive oil, thereby reducing lipid oxidation and off-flavor development. The dark glass bottles will also allow more extended shelf life than their lighter-colored counterparts.
The storage conditions of olive oil have a significant impact on its quality. Light and oxygen are the main culprits that reduce the shelf life of olive oil. However, depending on the environment and storage characteristics, you can control these factors and extend their shelf life. For example, you can use a nitrogen atmosphere in your bottling facility to reduce oxygen in the headspace.
The best way to prolong the life of olive oil after bottling is to store it in a dark glass or stainless steel bottle. These materials help protect the oil from light and keep it away from heat sources. This also means you can save money by buying olive oil in bulk.
Although storage conditions are essential, proper operations should also control them. These include reducing oxygen exposure, laminar filtration, and filtration under nitrogen. Oxygen is a significant component of olive oil and can significantly alter its antioxidant properties. Therefore, reducing the amount of oxygen in olive oil is vital, or you risk losing its beneficial properties.
