Off olive oil can have a range of unpleasant flavors, depending on how it has gone bad. The most common off flavors include:
- Bitter: This is a common sign of rancidity, where the oil has been exposed to air and light for too long.
- Sour: Similar to bitterness, a sour taste also indicates that the oil has started to spoil.
- Stale: Rancid oil will have a stale or bland taste, lacking the freshness and fruitiness of good olive oil.
- Metallic: A metallic taste can occur due to fermentation of the olives, indicating that the oil was not properly processed.
- Plastic: This flavor might be a sign of storage in a plastic container that has leached chemicals into the oil.
It's important to note that while olive oil can go bad, it will often have a noticeable smell before it tastes off. If your olive oil smells rancid, it's best to discard it.
