Pure Olive Oil in Pakistan: What to Look For and How to Use It
Olive oil is easy to buy and hard to judge. Walk into any shop in Lahore and you'll find a dozen bottles that all say "pure", "extra virgin" or "100% olive oil". Most buyers can't tell the difference until they open the bottle, and by then they've already paid. Here's what to look for, how to use olive oil so you actually taste the difference, and where our own Zaitoon olive oil fits.
Why "fresh" matters more than most people think
Olive oil is a fruit juice. Unlike many cooking oils, it has a flavour and aroma that fade with time, light and heat. A fresh bottle smells green, fruity and slightly peppery. An old or badly stored one smells flat, waxy or like nothing at all.
We import our olive oil and package it ourselves in Lahore. Check the label for the country of origin and the best-before date. Controlling the packing means we know when it was bottled and how it was handled, and you can check the date on the label.
What "pure" should mean
A bottle sold as pure olive oil should contain olive oil and nothing else: no blended seed oil, no colour, no added flavour. Our Zaitoon extra virgin olive oil is sold as pure extra virgin olive oil with nothing added. Check the label for the exact grade.
Ask any seller the same questions, including us:
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What is the grade (extra virgin, virgin, or refined)?
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Where is it from?
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When was it bottled, and what is the best-before date?
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Is there a lab report available?
The best way to use olive oil: raw
The most flavour comes from olive oil that hasn't been cooked. Heat softens the aroma and the fresh, peppery taste, so many people keep their olive oil for the finishing step instead of the frying pan. Here's how our customers use it.
On salad. A spoonful of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of salt is a complete dressing.
On roti and paratha. Drizzle a little over a hot roti, or dip a piece of roti into a small bowl of oil with salt.
Over salan and daal. Cook your salan as usual, then add a spoonful of olive oil at the end, once the pot is off the heat. You get the full aroma on top of the finished dish.
Over yoghurt, raita and hummus. A drizzle on top makes them look and taste better.
By the spoonful. Some people take a small spoonful of olive oil on its own, or stir it into milk. That's a personal habit, not a medical recommendation, so check with your doctor if you have a health condition.
Can you cook with olive oil?
Yes. Extra virgin olive oil is suitable for light and medium-heat cooking, such as sautéing onions, gentle frying and roasting. It won't taste as fresh afterwards, because heat reduces its aroma and some of its delicate flavour. If you want the most from a good bottle, use a cheaper oil for frying and keep your pure olive oil in Pakistan for the end of the dish.
How to store olive oil
Keep the bottle tightly closed, away from the stove and out of direct sunlight, in a cool, dry cupboard. Use it within the period printed on the label once opened.
Sizes and where to buy
Zaitoon olive oil is available in multiple sizes online; check the product page for current sizes and prices. You can order online from musffafood.com with delivery across Pakistan. See the product page for delivery details and returns.
You can also browse our honey and sauces collections.
Questions before you order? Message us on WhatsApp at 0303-4642211. We're available 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
FAQs
Is Zaitoon olive oil pure?
It is sold as pure extra virgin olive oil with nothing added. Check the label for the grade; lab reports are available on request.
Where is the olive oil from?
Check the bottle for the country of origin. We import it and package it in Lahore.
Can I drink olive oil?
Many people take a small spoonful on its own or in milk. It's a food, but if you have a health condition, ask your doctor first.
Can I use it in salad and on roti?
Yes. Raw use—on salad, roti, salan, daal, raita and yoghurt—gives the best flavour.
Can I cook with it?
Yes, for light and medium-heat cooking. Heat softens the aroma and flavour, so we suggest using it raw or at the end of cooking when you want the full taste.
How should I store it?
Keep it closed, away from heat and sunlight, and use it within the period printed on the label after opening.
What sizes are available?
See the product page for available sizes and prices.
