Why Ceramic Is Better Than Glass for Storing Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of those kitchen staples that tends to earn a permanent place on the worktop.

We use it for cooking, dressing salads, dipping bread and finishing dishes. Which means it makes sense to keep it close at hand.

But there is one thing worth thinking about: what are you storing it in?

Glass oil bottles might look good, particularly clear ones, but they aren't always the best choice for protecting the oil inside. Light is one of olive oil's biggest enemies, and a ceramic oil bottle can help keep it protected while still looking beautiful in your kitchen.

Why light is bad for olive oil

When light reaches olive oil, it can trigger a process called photo-oxidation.

Olive oil naturally contains chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for its green colour. When chlorophyll absorbs light energy, it can transfer that energy to oxygen molecules, starting a chain reaction that affects the oil.

Over time, this can have several effects.

Light can reduce antioxidants

Olive oil contains naturally occurring antioxidants, including vitamin E and polyphenols. These are among the compounds that make a good quality olive oil so valuable.

Exposure to light can contribute to the breakdown of these compounds, gradually reducing the oil's antioxidant content.

Light can contribute to rancidity

Light exposure can also accelerate oxidation.

This process creates reactive molecules that can attack the healthy unsaturated fats in olive oil. As the oil oxidises, its flavour and aroma begin to change.

Fresh olive oil should taste and smell fresh, with its own distinctive character. Oxidised oil, on the other hand, can develop unpleasant stale flavours and aromas, sometimes described as cardboard-like or flat.

And once oxidation has happened, it can't simply be reversed.

Why clear glass bottles aren't ideal

The problem with clear glass is simple: light can pass through it.

If a bottle sits on a sunny worktop, near a window or under bright kitchen lighting, the olive oil inside is exposed to that light.

The longer and more frequently it is exposed, the greater the opportunity for photo-oxidation to occur.

That's why olive oil is often sold in dark green glass or metal containers rather than clear bottles.

Dark glass offers more protection than clear glass, but an opaque container provides a more complete barrier against light.

Why a ceramic oil bottle helps protect your oil

A ceramic oil bottle is opaque, meaning light cannot pass through the material and reach the olive oil inside.

That gives the oil an important layer of protection while it is sitting out in your kitchen, ready to use.

Of course, light isn't the only thing that affects olive oil. Heat, oxygen and storage time also matter. Keeping your oil away from heat and making sure the bottle is properly sealed will also help maintain its quality.

But if you're choosing a bottle to keep on your worktop, blocking out light is a sensible place to start.

Ceramic is practical as well as beautiful

There is another reason we love ceramic oil bottles.

They earn their place in the kitchen.

An oil bottle is something you use regularly. It might sit beside the hob, come to the table or be picked up several times while cooking. So why hide it away in a cupboard?

A handmade ceramic bottle can be both useful and beautiful enough to leave out.

At Footprint Pottery, our handmade stoneware oil bottles are made to become part of everyday kitchen life. Wheel-thrown in small batches, each one has its own subtle character, with variations in glaze making every piece slightly different.

They're designed to be filled, refilled and used.

A better way to keep olive oil close at hand

There is no need to choose between protecting your olive oil and keeping it somewhere convenient.

An opaque ceramic bottle allows you to keep your oil on hand while helping to shield it from light. And unlike a purely functional container, it can become part of the look and feel of your kitchen too.

We think the best things in a home are the ones that get used.

The favourite mug you reach for every morning. The bowl that appears at every family meal. The salt pig that never leaves the worktop.

An oil bottle can be one of those things too.

Something practical. Something beautiful. Something that quietly becomes part of your everyday routine.

Because a home isn't created all at once.

It's collected over time, one favourite piece at a time.

Frequently asked questions about ceramic oil bottles

Is ceramic better than glass for storing olive oil?

An opaque ceramic bottle offers better protection from light than clear glass because light cannot pass through the ceramic. Since light exposure can accelerate oxidation and affect the quality of olive oil, an opaque container is a good option for oil stored on a kitchen worktop. Dark glass can also provide protection, but clear glass allows significantly more light to reach the oil.

Why is olive oil sold in dark bottles?

Olive oil is often sold in dark glass bottles because dark glass helps reduce the amount of light reaching the oil. Light can accelerate oxidation and contribute to the loss of quality over time. The darker and more opaque the container, the greater the protection from light.

Can I store olive oil in a ceramic bottle?

Yes. A ceramic oil bottle is suitable for storing olive oil, particularly when it is properly glazed and intended for food use. An opaque bottle also helps protect the oil from light. For best results, keep the bottle sealed when not in use and avoid storing it close to strong sources of heat.

Does light make olive oil go bad?

Light can accelerate the oxidation of olive oil. This can affect its flavour, aroma and naturally occurring antioxidant compounds. The process is known as photo-oxidation, and once oxidation has occurred, it cannot be reversed. Reducing unnecessary exposure to light can therefore help preserve the quality of the oil.

Should I keep my olive oil on the kitchen worktop?

You can keep a smaller amount of olive oil on the worktop for everyday use, particularly if it is stored in an opaque, sealed container and kept away from direct sunlight and strong heat. If your kitchen is very warm or receives a lot of sunlight, a cooler, darker cupboard may be a better place to store your main supply.

Shop handmade ceramic oil bottles

Looking for a practical and beautiful way to store your everyday olive oil?

Explore Footprint Pottery's collection of handmade stoneware oil bottles, wheel-thrown in small batches and designed for kitchens that are collected over time.