Brightland vs. Graza: Which Popular Olive Oil Is Right for You?

I tried each brand’s finishing and cooking oils consecutively, taking comparative notes as I tasted. I then rated the oils based on the following five factors:

• Value: Is the oil worth the cost considering its quality?
• Functionality: Does the bottle’s design make it easy to use? How would most home cooks use this oil? Does it have various uses?
• Quality: Is the oil made from high-quality ingredients?
• Aesthetics: Does the bottle look nice on the kitchen counter? Does the oil itself look appetizing?
• Flavor: Does the oil taste good? Is it fresh and flavorful? Does it taste like the brand says it does?

What Sets Brightland and Graza Apart?

Both brands are known for high-quality, single-origin, extra-virgin olive oil. Each has a cult following and Insta-worthy packaging. Both brands cold-press the oil, making it storage-friendly and high in healthy fats that keep the oil fresh for longer. This method doesn’t require heat or chemicals; instead, olives are crushed into paste, then the oil is separated from the pulp.

As for the packaging, we see the bottle as a double-edged sword. While it’s stunningly designed, modern and begging to be gifted to every foodie you know, it also has a wide opening instead of a small, drizzle-friendly one. This makes the oil easier to overpour; normally, we’d say a lil’ extra never hurts, but at $74 for the set, we wouldn’t want to waste a single drop. (Brightland offers a pretty gold spout for $10 if you’d like to make the oils easier to pour.) The bottles are also smaller than Graza’s. On the up side, this makes it easier to finish the oil at peak freshness (its shelf life is two years from harvesting, but Brightland recommends finishing it in four to six months for maximum deliciousness). On the other hand, you get less oil for more money compared to Graza.

That said, this pair will not disappoint. And in case you want to explore their EVOO offerings further, we’d be remiss not to mention the brand’s *delicious* infused oils (although they aren’t part of The Duo). Food editor Taryn Pire is partial to garlicky Rosette, while senior food editor Katherine Gillen enjoys rosemary-kissed Aurora on focaccia.

Fast Facts

• Origin: California Central Coast and Valley
• Olive Types: Arbequina, Arbosana, Koroneiki
• Additional Flavors: Ardor (chili), Rosette (garlic), Aurora (rosemary), Arise (basil), Lucid (lemon), Pizza (jalapeño-herb)
• Smoke Point: 410°F
• Price: $74

Both Graza oils are made from the same olive; the key is harvesting them at different times for different results. Drizzle is made from early harvest olives that are picked by hand, when the flavor is boldest and antioxidants are high. This is why it’s best used as a finishing oil in raw applications, like salad dressings, focaccia and even vanilla ice cream. Sizzle is made from mature, mid-season olives for a mellower flavor. This makes it just right for everyday cooking and heated applications, like sautéed greens, fried rice, sheet pan meals and even baked goods.

Drizzle is peppery, vegetal and punchy. Sizzle is mild, delicate, soft and ever so slightly sweet. Its high smoke point makes it a viable option for roasting, frying and searing (note that Brightland’s oil has the same smoke point). Sizzle is very rich in flavor without being overpowering, while Drizzle tastes exceedingly fresh and grassy. In our opinion, both are generally more flavorful than Brightland’s oils, but that doesn’t mean they’re objectively better—it depends on your needs and preferences.

Fast Facts

• Origin: Spain
• Olive Types: Picual
• Additional Flavors: none
• Smoke Point: 410°F
• Price: $37

Despite their similarities, these products have a few key differences:

• Brightland’s set includes two 375-mL bottles, while Graza’s comes with a 500-mL bottle of Drizzle and a 750-mL bottle of Sizzle
• Graza oils come in squeeze bottles while Brightland oils come in recyclable glass bottles that are UV-coated to protect the oil from light damage
• Brightland is more expensive than Graza
• Brightland’s bottles are more attractive and gift-worthy, but Graza’s are arguably easier to use and inspire liberal application

The Bottom Line

Both brands’ oils are high-quality and delicious. Each set has oils for cooking and raw applications, so you can tackle just about any recipe with them on your side. Figuring out which oil is best for you comes down to two main factors: cost and intent.

If you want a bargain buy, Graza is a no-brainer. If you want to gift your foodie friend some nice olive oil, we’d recommend Brightland. But TBH, both sets are stellar options for newbie and veteran cooks alike.