Original article from Bon Appetit
Tester and reviewer: Emily Farris, senior commerce writer
Corto is a California olive oil company dedicated to harvesting olives at their peak and preserving their freshness through the entire oil production process. They have a range of product offerings, including 100% extra virgin olive oil, a sauté oil blend, a Calabrian chili olive oil, and a Chef’s Essentials kit featuring Stanislaus Piccolo Datterini baby plum tomatoes.
What subscription options are available? You can purchase the Truly Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a single 500-ml bottle, a twin pack (two 500-ml bottles), or a 3-L Pantry Size FlavorLock Box (it has a spout, like boxed wine!). Everything in Corto's online shop is available for a one-time purchase, or you can subscribe to receive your selection every two, three, or six months. After you set up your subscription, you can log into your Corto account to skip a shipment, adjust the quantity, or cancel anytime. You can also send any item as a one-time gift.
You can also pay a flat fee to subscribe to Club Corto, the brand’s membership. There are two options here: The Classic Collection, which gives you two shipments per year that each include two Truly 500-ml bottles and one 3-L FlavorLock Box, or the Pantry Collection, which is three shipments with one 3-L FlavorLock Box each. Whichever you choose, you’ll also receive a limited-edition 2025 Argumato-Method Olive Oil as well as access to expert-led virtual olive oil tasting experiences and to chef-led cooking classes.
What Emily loved: Corto's Truly Extra Virgin Olive Oil is rich, fresh, and earthy with a nice bite on the back of the tongue, but it lacks the punch-you-in-the-face olive oil brightness some people (my kids included) find off-putting. My oil shipped with a card letting me know it was from a "fresh fall harvest," and I didn't have to assume which fall because a date stamp on the back of the bottle confirmed the olives were harvested within the last six months. I loved using this in a simple balsamic vinaigrette, and I dipped quite a bit of Italian bread in it too. I'm eager to try it in an olive oil cake next. Because it's relatively affordable and doesn't have an overpowering olive flavor, it's also a good option for an everyday cooking oil. I'd recommend this for any home cook who never wants to worry about having fresh, high-quality olive oil on hand.
What we’d leave: There are no real cons here…