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Arnold Schwarzenegger is sort of having a moment of life imitating art, but in this case it would be the other way around. The action star, turned governor before going back to acting, is staring in a new Netflix series, “FUBAR” and the storyline feels very…familiar. It’s an action-comedy about a husband who had an affair and is attempting to win his wife back.

If you don’t understand the connection, let me spell it out. Schwarzenegger was married to Maria Shriver for 25 years when she filed for divorce after finding out he not only had an affair with their housekeeper, but fathered a child. The child in question was a teenager when Shriver put the pieces together and confronted the housekeeper about her suspicions.

But unlike Schwarzenegger’s character, Luke, in “FUBAR,” the former California governor acknowledged his actions as the catalyst to the demise of his marriage.

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In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter about his new Netflix series Schwarzenegger joked, “it feels like it’s a documentary.”

Except the truth of the matter is, Schwarzenegger wasn’t shy about taking immediate accountability when the news first broke. He apologized to his then wife and didn’t avoid hard questions when interviewers asked him about his affair. Taking accountability can be hard because you have to admit that you did something that caused someone else pain and actively work to do better in the future.

Celebrities and government officials aren’t immune to making mistakes. They’re all human, but their mistakes involve intense public scrutiny and reminders of their screw up on the covers of magazines. Which, if we’re being honest here, that would make anyone want to tuck their head in the sand until everything blows over. So it’s not surprising that when some celebrities apologize it feels forced and lacks accountability.

This is why Schwarzenegger’s openness and willingness to own past missteps is a master class on how to take accountability. In his interview with The Hollywood Reporter he explained the difference between his real life and his character.

“The difference is, in the show, he doesn’t consider it cheating because [seducing CIA assets] was part of his profession,” Schwarzenegger told the outlet. “But in [my real-life marriage to Shriver], it was my f—-up. It was my failure.”

Even when the news of Schwarzenegger’s secret child were making the press rounds, the actor was candid.

In a 2014 interview with the Los Angeles Times, he openly took responsibility for his actions, “I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry.”

The star has had his share of missteps outside of his marriage as well, which he also took accountability for and has worked to make positive changes. His willingness to continually work to improve and own up to his mistakes is likely something that helps maintain his friendship with Shriver. While he spoke highly of his girlfriend, Heather Milligan, a physical therapist, he made it a point to acknowledge his relationship with his wife when speaking to THR.

“I love my wife. She and I are really good friends and very close, and we are very proud of the way we raised our kids. Even though we had this drama, we did Easter together, Mother’s Day together, the Christmases together, all birthdays — everything together,” Schwarzenegger said before joking that he and Shriver should get an Oscar for how to handle divorce.

If you want to catch the “Terminator” in his new show, “FUBAR,” it releases on Netflix May 25, and his documentary about his life titled, “Arnold,” will be available June 7 on the same streaming service.

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One of the greatest football players to ever set foot on the gridiron has died. According to the Associated Press, Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, who spent the entirety of his professional career as a member of the Cleveland Browns, passed away on Thursday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 87 years old.

Brown’s wife, Monique, released a statement via his official Instagram account in which she said that he passed away peacefully.

The Browns likewise posted a tribute after the news of his death became official.

An all-time great athlete whose excellence was on display in basketball, lacrosse, and track-and-field, Brown’s most notable exploits came in world of football. He was a unanimous All-American out of the backfield for the Syracuse Orange, which he parlayed into being the sixth overall pick by Cleveland in the 1957 NFL Draft. Few football players are more decorated than Brown, whose number was retired by Cleveland after a 9-year career that saw him earn three NFL MVP awards, eight first-team All-Pro selections, one second-team All-Pro nod, and an NFL championship in 1964, which remains the most recent title in franchise history.

Beyond his time in the NFL, Brown was well-known for his work as an activist during the civil rights movement and a prolific acting career.

Aziz Ansari is having a heck of a time getting his directorial debut made. The Master of None creator was forced to scrap his first attempt at a directorial debut, Being Mortal, after Bill Murray was accused of misconduct with a female staffer. However, Ansari was able to bounce back a year later with a new film, Good Fortune, which boasted an impressive cast thanks to the addition of both Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen.

Unfortunately, fate has struck again. Good Fortune was reportedly halfway through production when it was forced to shut down “indefinitely” after the set was picketed twice this week by the ongoing writers’ strike.

Via The Hollywood Reporter:

Ansari was directing and starring opposite Seth Rogen and Keanu Reeves in the comedy, which he also wrote and was producing for Lionsgate. The studio made the decision Thursday.

The hope is that production will resume at a later date, though it is unclear when that might happen or what will happen if the strike drags on through the summer. Ansari penned the script, and was not writing additional material on the film, per strike rules, according to sources.

Little is known about Good Fortune‘s plot, and judging by THR‘s reporting, we may never know what Ansari’s film is about if the studios don’t make a deal with the Writers Guild of America sooner rather than later.

(Via The Hollywood Reporter)

WARNING: Major spoilers ahead for Fast X. Do not keep reading unless you hate surprises.

The latest installment in the Fast and Furious franchise asks a ton of questions. For one–is it the last movie? Probably not. Is it the best one? Maybe! Is Jason Momoa’s character actually that insane? You bet! But there are even more surprises in store when fans flood the theaters with pizza this weekend for Fast X.

There was one key moment in the film that has kind of been spoiled for some people, and that is the big reunion between Vin Diesel and The Rock/Dwayne Johnson.

If you are unaware (or perhaps living under a…Rock….), Diesel and Johnson had a pretty messy feud over the last few years which led The Rock’s character Hobbs to be absent from the most recent films. It seemed like there was going to be no reconciliation between the two of them… until Fast X director Louis Leterrier stepped in. Leterrier told The Hollywood Reporter that he was the one who proposed a peace treaty between Johnson and Diesel.

The peace treaty … I kind of [brokered it]. We all did. Ultimately, the movie did. We sort of looked at each other from across the room and winked a few months back, saying, ‘We should work together.’ And then I had this idea and I presented it to the producers and the studio. And then we reached out to Dwayne and his team, and said, ‘Just come and watch the movie. You have to love the movie first.’ So he came to see the movie and really loved it, and then we started talking. It was very smooth, and frankly, as a fan, I could not conceive continuing the franchise without either Dwayne or Gal Gadot.

This franchise was built by actors and characters. The set pieces are wonderful. They keep you entertained and keep you shoving popcorn in your mouth, but the characters make this franchise what it is.

Johnson wasn’t the only high-profile surprise (though the Colosseum also gets a nice little cameo in there): Gal Gadot’s returns as her character Gisele, who was introduced way back in 2009’s Fast & Furious.

Leterrier, who had previously worked with Gadot, said that her cameo was the final piece of the Fast puzzle that made everything come together. “I was lucky enough to see Gal Gadot and give her a big hug and a thank you at the end of the shoot. That was a highlight for me,” he explained. “So, now that I get to not only work with her but also bring back Gisele into the franchise, I’m the happiest fan in the world.”

Maybe Leterrier is a happy fan, but there is literally nobody who is happier than Vin Diesel at this point. This man could play Dom Toretto breaking out of his nursing home to hijack an ambulance and he will still be all smiles. Maybe The Rock will be there with him!

(Via The Hollywood Reporter)

Beyoncé’s massive Renaissance Tour is currently making its way across Europe, and fans are loving it. Between her dressing up as an actual bee to riding around on a tank, she pulled out all the stops on this one once again. The shows also wouldn’t be anything without the backup dancers, who have been with her through the rehearsal process and beyond.

Yesterday, the full credits for the tour were revealed — giving even more insight into who’s on her crew.

Here is everything to know about Beyoncé’s dancers during this tour.

Who Are Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour Dancers?

Les Twins, also known as twin brothers Laurent and Larry Nicolas Bourgeois, returned to join another Beyoncé tour. The two appeared during the “7/11” interlude, starting at her opening night in Stockholm. They also returned to dance with her to “Thique.”

Honey Balenciaga has been another popular favorite of the tour dancers. She notably appears during the Ballroom segment, as well as some additional musical numbers. On Beyoncé’s website, she is credited as part of The Dolls, alongside Carlos Irizarry, Darius Hickman, and Jonté Moaning.

Another notable credit is the Dance Captain, Hannah Douglass.

Beyoncé’s full rest of the list of dancers include Aahkilah Cornelius, Ai Shimatsu, Aliya Janel, Alannah Wilhite, Amari Marshall, Brianna Pavon, Kyndall Harris, Lisa Sainvil, Nerita McFarlane, Simone Alston, Trinity Joy, Jus’t Chase, Kevin “Konkrete” Davis Jr., Rob Bynes, and Zavion Brown.

What Have Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour Dancers Said About The Tour?

Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour dancers talking about the actual tour has been a little hard to find. However, Les Twins have spoken about her in past interviews, regarding how she chooses dancers for musical numbers. “Before, we was in every number,” they told Revolt TV. “After that, she was like, ‘I want you in just this one, this one, and this one.’ Two-hour show, I come only three times. She’s like, ‘You’re a star to me. When you come through, it’s a wrap. You cannot be in every number.’ And I started to understand.”

How Much Do Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour Dancers Get Paid?

While it’s unclear how much Beyoncé’s dancers are also getting paid on this tour, it is likely higher than before. Back in 2020, Rolling Stone had reported that her and other high-profile artists weren’t giving dancers very much. Her choreographer, JaQuel Knight, has previously pushed back against reports of her also only paying $250-per-day at shoots.

“Please run me the production company, the choreographer, the shoot dates, the dancers that have rehearsed and are shooting for these rates,” he responded. And, considering it’s a full tour rather than a shoot, there’s likely a high salary set.

Ludacris thinks Fast Five is the best Fast and Furious movie (he’s right to say it), but “there’s a possibility that Fast X, in its completion, might be the greatest action film of all time.” He, like Vin Diesel, sees the end of the Fast Saga as a trilogy: there’s Fast X, followed by Fast 11 and Fast 12, or whatever they end up being called. (Life on the Fast 12ane?).

Fast X is out in theaters now, but when we can expect part two? Sometime in 2025, although no specific date has been revealed yet. It will join other 2025 movies like Minecraft, James Gunn’s currently Superman-less Superman: Legacy, and this burgeoning new franchise, Untitled Disney Film (2025).

“It really ends on a cliffhanger,” director Louis Leterrier told Uproxx about Fast X. “But I would have not accepted, I think no one would’ve accepted this, had we not gone all the way to the end of the franchise. What we’ve got, as we were on set, is basically understanding where this franchise will end. And then, because we know that, we’re able to not only create this cliffhanger, but also seed all the elements that we’re going to need to fully arc out this whole franchise. And on what we hope is going to be a very satisfying ending.”

Getting back [REDACTED] was a good start.

It’s already May and if you don’t have your summer plans settled already, what are you waiting for? The longer you wait to plan that summer road trip or vacation, the harder it will be to book hotels, rent cars, find flights, and everything else that goes into a good escape. While any number of sandy, sun-soaked beaches and majestic National Parks are perfect for a summer trip, we prefer our vacations to have at least one stop (if not three) at a brewery.

Heck, we’d honestly prefer to plan a whole road trip around beer. Summer was made for refreshing, frosty brews, right?

Whether you’re a fan of pilsners, IPAs, and all manner of stouts or random sour beers, a weekend getaway to a brewery or two is exactly what you need to start summer 2023 the right way. And instead of throwing a dart at a map of the United States and hoping you land somewhere with a brewery with remotely palatable beers (though… you likely would!), why not visit one of the most iconic, beloved, and highly-rated breweries in the country?

We’re talking about the bucket list breweries that you’ve always wanted to visit. The kinds of places beer fans flock to in order to get hard-to-grab limited releases and classic, beloved brews. And the best news? Regardless of where you live, there’s probably at least one of these within easy driving distance from you.

Hill Farmstead Brewery – Greensboro Bend, Vermont

Arguably the most respected brewery in the country, Hill Farmstead is worth a trip (especially in the summer). Who wouldn’t want to visit Vermont in the summer, right? Especially when there’s beer involved. Founded in 2010 on Shaun E. Hill’s family farm in the sprawling Vermont hills, this iconic brewery is serving up pretty much every style imaginable and expertly crafting each one. Try a hazy IPA, farm ale, sour beer, or a crisp pale ale on a hot summer day. This brewery has something for everyone.

What to drink:

There’s something for everyone at Hill Farmstead. Honestly, try everything. But we suggest Aber (New England-style IPA), Susan (American IPA), and Arthur (saison).

3 Floyds Brewing Co. – Munster, Indiana

Don’t even think about driving through Indiana without stopping on your way to Chicago. That’s because this Midwest state is home to one of the most highly-rated breweries in the country: 3 Floyds. Founded in 1996 in Munster, Indiana by Mike Floyd and his two sons Nick and Simon, it’s known for IPAs, pale ales, barrel-aged stouts, and many seasonal and limited-edition gems. They offer brewery tours every other Saturday. It takes about an hour and includes a 6-ounce sample glass and tastes of various beers including those in their pilot system.

What to drink:

You can’t stop by 3 Floyds without trying its iconic Zombie Dust pale ale. But don’t forget to try its award-winning wheat beer Gumballhead and any of its limited-edition, hard-to-find beers.

Russian River Brewing Company – Santa Rosa, California

When it comes to bucket list breweries, there are few more beloved than Russian River Brewing. You might not realize it, but Russian River was actually founded in 1997 by Korbel Champagne Cellars. Located in Sonoma County, California, the wine company moved on from the business and transferred it to head brewer Vinnie Cilurzo who, in the years since has created some of the highest-rated beers (especially IPAs) of all time. Stop by the brewpub in Santa Rosa for some tasty brews and equally delicious food. You can also purchase tickets to take a guided tour and enjoy a tasting at the brewery itself.

What to drink:

If you don’t visit when one of the big-name beers is released, you’re likely not going to find any available. Regardless, Russian River has a slew of great options including Blind Pig IPA, STS Pils, and the hoppy, West Coast classic Pliny the Elder.

Brewery Ommegang – Cooperstown, New York

If you live in NYC, there’s a fair chance you’ll already find yourself in the idyllic Central New York town of Cooperstown this summer anyway. It’s a quaint, picturesque town filled with artisanal shops and restaurants. It’s also home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. After you’ve strolled through the town, take a short trip to nearby Brewery Ommegang. It’s the closest thing to an authentic Belgian-style brewery you’ll find in the US. Visit the brewery to attend a concert or simply pop in and visit their taproom to try traditional Belgian-style beers and American favorites.

What to drink:

Ommegang makes many amazing beers, but we suggest trying Rare Vos (an amber ale with orange peel, grains or paradise, and coriander), Witte (wheat beer), and Gnommegang (Belgian-style blonde ale).

Toppling Goliath Brewing – Decorah, Iowa

If you only think of Iowa because of “Field of Dreams,” one trip to Toppling Goliath in Decorah will change that. Founded in 2009 by Clark and Barbara Lewey, it’s well-known for barrel-aged beers and IPAs. Take a tour of the brewery, and visit the taproom for a flight (or two) of different beers, but save some time for some hiking, kayaking, and fly-fishing. While your destination might be a brewery, the area is well-known for its outdoor activities.

What to drink:

No trip to Toppling Goliath is complete without imbibing the hazy, juicy Pseudo Sue IPA, Dorothy’s New World Lager, or one of its many seasonal and rotating beers.

Surly Brewing Co – Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minnesota is one of the best states to visit in the summer (not so much during the winter). The “Land of 10,000 Lakes” and when you’re done boating, fishing, kayaking, or lazily lounging in an inner tube, you’ll want to stop by Surly Brewing in Minneapolis. Visit the beer hall or Surly Pizza. You’ll find thirty rotating taps of Surly beers (yes, thirty). Tours of the brewery are also available on Saturdays and Sundays.

What to drink:

If you can try some of the brewery’s most well-known beer Surly Axe Man IPA definitely do it. Furious IPA and Coffee Bender Brown Ale are also must-try beers.

Avery Brewing Company – Boulder, Colorado

If you’re a fan of outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking and you enjoy beer, you’re probably already planning to visit Colorado. While there are myriad brewery choices, no trip is complete without a stop at Avery Brewing in Boulder. Founded in 1993, this award-winning brewery makes white ales, pale ales, IPAs, lagers, and countless other styles. On-site you’ll find brewery tours and a taproom and restaurant.

What to drink:

Avery’s White Rascal, a Belgian-style white ale is a must-try beer. Also try Maharaja IPA, Gose con Sandia (a sour ale made with watermelon, lime, and sea salt), and any of the limited-release barrel-aged beers.

Tree House Brewing Company – Charlton, Massachusetts

If you’re a fan of hazy, New England-style IPAs and you’ve never been to Tree House Brewing, what are you waiting for? While there are multiple locations, the main brewery is located in Charlton, an hour’s drive from Boston. Visit the Main Bar or the Classic Style Bar to try over forty beers on tap. Find the beers you like and then pick up a few cans to take home.

What to drink:

You might feel overwhelmed by the number of beer options, but we think a good start is Very Green (imperial IPA), Julius (New England-style IPA), and Perpetually Distracted (farmhouse ale).

Dogfish Head Brewery – Milton, Delaware

If you find yourself planning a trip to visit one of the beach areas on the Eastern Seaboard this summer, why not stop in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware? Not only is it a beach town filled with shops and restaurants, but it’s also a half hour away from the iconic, unique Dogfish Head Brewery. Visit the tasting room, check out the “Steampunk Treehouse”, and book a tour.

What to drink:

There’s a good chance when you visit there will be something interesting on tap. Also, be sure to try Wake Up World Wide Stout, 90-Minute IPA, and Crimson Cru (a Flemish brown ale made in collaboration with Rodenbach).

Jester King Brewery – Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas is a destination for barbecue, live music, college football, and a place to see a giant cloud of bats fly out from underneath a bridge. It’s also the home of the highly-rated Jester King Brewery. On the brewery grounds, you’ll find various places to get beer and food including Pasture Bar, Pizza Bar, Brewery Bar, JK Shop, and JK Kwik Kitchen. There are also brewery tours and special events throughout the year.

What to drink:

Jester King is another brewery with such a long list of amazing beers, you might have trouble only picking a few. Some of our favorites are Das Wunderkind (dry-hopped saison), Atrial Rubicite (fruited sour ale), or La Petite Prince (table beer).

Last week, NBC News reporter Ben Collins published a story on a disturbing problem with the Twitter search bar. For unknown reasons, the autocomplete suggestions started serving up terms like “cat in a blender” if you simply typed “cat.” (There were also violent suggestions for “dog.”) Not only that, but the results included actual videos of animal cruelty that were freely available to all users, including children. A parent flagged this concern to Twitter’s safety team, which never responded.

However, after Collins reached out to Twitter for his reporting, the social media company refused to comment, but it did make the notable move of turning off autocomplete suggestions. Again, this occurred last week, and if you’re able to understand how time and dates work, congratulations, you’re several steps ahead of Jesse Watters.

On Wednesday night, the Fox News host attempted to “fact check” Collins’ reporting by attempting to replicate the animal cruelty search results. Obviously, Watters experiment didn’t work because Twitter had already fixed the problem last week. However, that didn’t stop Watters from calling Collins’ reporting a hoax, which prompted the NBC News reporter to make a Twitter video explaining to Watters the “literal passage of time.”

Using a hand-drawn calendar as a visual aid, Collins notes that he reached out to Twitter for comment on May 11. (He also included video proof that the issue existed.) On May 12, Twitter turned off the search results. Five days later on May 17, Watters ran his report, which failed to replicate the animal cruelty results because, again, the problem was fixed the week before.

“So that’s how the linear passage of time works,” Collins quipped. “I hope they understand the linear passage of time but it’s really hard to know nowadays.”

(Via Ben Collins on Twitter)

The National just unveiled their new album First Two Pages Of Frankenstein, but they’re not done just yet. They’re reviving their Hometown Festival after a hiatus, being honored by Taylor Swift while she’s on The Eras Tour, and working with Ed Sheeran. But they’re also about to bring their new material to audiences.

The First Two Pages Of Frankenstein Tour kicked off last night (May 18) at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre. The tour will go all the way through October and end in Lisbon, Portugal. Openers for select dates include Soccer Mommy, The Beths, and Bartees Strange. The setlist includes a bunch of songs off their new record, as well as some deep-cuts like “Murder Me Rachael” from their 2003 album Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers and “England” off their 2010 LP High Violet.

Find the full setlist from the Chicago show below, according to setlist.fm.

1. “Once Upon a Poolside”
2. “Eucalyptus”
3. “Tropic Morning News”
4. “New Order T-Shirt”
5. “Mistaken for Strangers”
6. “Bloodbuzz Ohio”
7. “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness”
8. “Green Gloves”
9. “Slow Show”
10. “Alien”
11. “Grease in Your Hair”
12. “Day I Die”
13. “Walk It Back”
14. “Humiliation”
15. “Murder Me Rachael”
16. “Turn Off the House”
17. “Pink Rabbits”
18. “England”
19. “Graceless”
20. “Fake Empire”
21. “Weird Goodbyes”
22. “Mr. November”
23. “Terrible Love”
24. “About Today”
25. “Send for Me”

It’s no secret that extra virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest cooking oils on the market. Due to its relative lack of processing (and the fact that it’s expeller pressed), the heart-healthy oil is full of antioxidants and vitamins, rich in monounsaturated fats, is anti-inflammatory, and boasts a bunch of other health benefits — which have been shown to help prevent strokes (study here), protect against heart disease, and possibly even lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (a recent study showed that a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes by over 40%).

On top of all of that, olive oil is also one of the most versatile oils on the market. You can cook almost anything with it (so long as you aren’t deep frying), drizzle it on a salad to add complexity, or dip some bread in it. What other oil is delicious enough that you can just dip bread in it? You’re not going to do that sh*t with peanut oil. Coconut oil? Canola? Never going to happen.

Not surprisingly, the same lack of processing that helps make EVOO (as the cool kids call it) delicious also makes it expensive. There are $60 bottles of olive oil out there. But there are also some excellent bottles at much lower price points. To find the best among the more “budget bottles,” we decided to blind taste test the more affordable brands on the market.

Methodology

For this blind taste test, we gathered up 9 of the cheapest bottles of Extra Virgil Olive Oil we could find. Most of the bottles were below $10, but we set a hard price limit of $13 in order to include some of the affordable oils that come from a single country/state. Allow us to get a bit nerdy here: in the olive oil world, you have some bottles that feature a blend of olives from different countries, some that source their olives from a single country (or state), and some that are sourced from a single estate or olive orchard. Generally, the fewer places the olives are from, the better and more focused the flavor.

The top-tier single-origin oils promise a better end product because the growing conditions and processing methods are controlled and consistent. Oils sourced from a single location (say Greece) are also pretty good, but not quite to the level of olives that all come from a single farm. Unfortunately, you’re not going to get single-origin bottles from the budget section, but you can get single country/state if you look hard enough.

Does that level of granularity matter when it comes to the best-tasting affordable oils? We’re going to find out. Here is our tasting class:

• 365 Whole Foods — Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 365 Whole Foods — 100 % Californian Small Batch Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Bertoli — Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Good & Gather — Extra Virgil Olive Oil
• Good & Gather — 100% California Extra Virgil Olive Oil
• Pompeian — Robust Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Primal Kitchen — Organic Extra Virgil Olive Oil
• Trader Joes — 100% Italian Extra Virgil Olive Oil
• Trader Joes — California Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I had my girlfriend bring me a sample of each olive oil at random and tried it on a piece of baguette. To get a handle on what “good” olive oil is supposed to taste like, I first sampled Pasolivo’s Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This is a $50 bottle of award-winning oil that is made from sustainably grown olives that are handpicked and crushed within hours at a single site. The oil was fruity with a grassy body and a peppery snap on the aftertaste. It tasted remarkably fresh, even though it was approaching its “best by” date.

In short, I’m of the mind that expensive olive oil is absolutely worth it. So let’s see if any of these budget bottles can win me over. Let’s get to tasting!

Part 1: The Olive Oil Tasting

Taste 1:

A blunt dirty olive scent on the nose. Not a lot of depth of flavor here, it tastes less like olives and more like straight oil. Like vegetable oil with a bit of darkness.

Taste 2:

Very vegetal, I’m getting a hint of olive here that leans more on the bitter than fruity notes. There is a delicate slightly floral taste to this, but it mostly lives in a rich-earthy territory. Very nice.

Taste 3:

I take back what I said about Taste 2, that’s not delicate, this is. It’s very green and grassy, with a sweet finish that lingers on the tongue.

Taste 4:

The flavors of this oil don’t float like the last few tastings, instead, they soak into the tongue with a very blunt dark olive flavor. It’s not sweet, bitter, or grassy — it’s a bit rich for its own good without anything to counterbalance it.

Taste 5:

Savory, but this is another one that tastes more like straight oil than olives. The flavor profile here comes across as messy, you get hints of grassiness and fruity elements but it dissipates before you’re able to really hold on to the flavors.

Taste 6:

Buttery and savory! This one has a mouthwatering quality to it, it leans on the floral end of the flavor spectrum with a peppercorn finish.

Taste 7:

Light and buttery, but the flavors don’t stick around long enough. I found myself triple dipping my slice of baguette into this oil because I just couldn’t taste it enough. What is there is good — it’s a mix of rich buttery and grassy notes — but it seems like you have to use a lot of it to really taste it.

Maybe that’s a good thing and that’s what you’re looking for! But in a taste test that’s just bread and oil, I need more.

Taste 8:

Nice and complex. This one starts off vegetal and grassy before slipping into more savory notes that end with a nice sweet lift. I like a bit more pepper in my olive oil, but this is really nice.

Taste 9:

Blunt but very grassy. It has a bitter vibe, but a strange warming finish that heats the mouth a bit. Definitely interesting.

Part 2: The Olive Oil Ranking

9. Pompeian Robust Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Taste 1)

Price: $6.98

Pompeian’s Robust is a certified organic by USDA , NON-GMO Verified oil made from a blend of oils from Italy, Greece, Spain, Argentina, Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco, Chile, the United States, Uruguay, and Portugal. That’s a lot of places to mix oil from and as a result, it doesn’t have a distinct character in its flavor.

I clocked this one as “blunt,” and while I think it’s perfectly serviceable, we had to rank this one last for its lack of focus.

The Bottom Line:

Perfectly serviceable but lacks character and a clear flavor.

8. Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Taste 5)

Price: $6.78

Bertolli touts itself as the “world’s no. 1 olive oil brand” and I think by that they mean the best-selling because this stuff is everywhere. For this tasting, I sourced bottles from Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target, and some local markets and most of those locations carried Bertolli.

The oil contains olives from Argentina, Chile, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia — I don’t want to sound like a snob but single source is really where it’s at. Like the Pompeiian, the Bertolli lacked character and tasted more like straight oil than grassy, buttery, savory, or peppery.

It’s worth mentioning that these first two bottles were in plastic rather than glass, does that make a difference? Maybe! They certainly have a lot in common.

The Bottom Line:

Dirt cheap but it has a muddled unfocused flavor.

7. Primal Kitchen Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Taste 7)

Price: $13.49

Primal Kitchen’s Organic Extra Virgil Olive Oil is the most expensive bottle in our lineup, and you know what? It’s not really worth it. The oil is USDA organic, NON-GMO verified, and sourced from Tunisia, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. It’s a significant step up from Bertolli and Pompeian but its light and buttery flavor lacks richness.

As I said in the tasting portion, maybe that’s what you’re looking for! But this olive oil is a bit too neutral to me.

The Bottom Line:

Light, and buttery, but it leaves you wanting. It’s not a very present-tasting olive oil.

6. Good & Gather — Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Taste 4)

Price: $5.29

Target’s Good & Gather brand offers the cheapest olive oil we picked up. It’s in a plastic bottle, so you know it’s cheap! The sourcing information is incredibly vague, on the bottle it reads “Imported from Spain. Contains oil from: see country printed near best by” which reads “Spain” etched into the plastic.

Labeling aside, Good & Gather is surprisingly good despite its super cheap price.

The Bottom Line:

Rich but blunt. It doesn’t have the more delicate notes of other brands, but it has a clear and present flavor that soaks into the tongue.

5. Trader Joe’s — Organic Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Taste 6)

Price: $6.99

We’re going to call it here, Trader Joe’s is the best market to buy olive oil at. Not only does TJ’s carry over 5 different varieties, they’re all incredibly easy on the wallet. This bottle is organic and cold pressed and sourced entirely in Italy. It’s a buy even if it’s not in our number one spot.

The Bottom Line:

No complaints, it’s a great bottle for a remarkably cheap price. This EVOO leans buttery and savory, so if you’re after richness, this delivers.

4. Whole Foods 365 Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Taste 8)

Price: $8.39

Whole Foods’ Italian EVOO ticks some of the same boxes as TJ’s: it’s cheap and sourced from Italy but it leans more on grassy and fruity notes, which are a bit more my thing when it comes to olive oil. The only thing it’s missing is a peppery component.

The Bottom Line:

Grassy, fruity, and cheap. It’s a buy!

3. Good & Gather Signature — 100% California Extra Virgil Olive Oil (Taste 9)

Price: $9.99

If you’re willing to throw a few more dollars on your Target bill Good & Gather’s Signature series of EVOO is worth it. It’s still under $10 which is great, but you trade in a flat flavor that lacks depth for something that is savory, buttery, and has an interesting warming finish. It’s remarkably complex for its price point, even if it is still a little on the blunt side.

The Bottom Line:

Buttery and rich with a strange (but enjoyable) warming sensation that settles on the palate.

2. Whole Foods 365 — 100% California Small Batch Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Taste 2)

Price: $12.49

I hate to say it but if you’re willing to spend a few more dollars at Whole Foods, the brand’s 100% small batch California Olive Oil is better than its cheaper bottle of Italian olive oil. The flavors here are just a lot more distinct and focused. We’re not sure what Whole Foods means by ‘small batch’ is this bottle made from olives all from the same farm? If they’re not advertising it as such, we have no reason to believe that’s the case. The term ‘small batch’ might just be some creative marketing.

In general, I think Whole Foods tends to trend expensive compared to other markets, but considering the brand also has a bunch of bottles that are double the price of this one, as an EVOO fan this bottle punches way above its weight.

The Bottom Line:

Vegetal, fruity, floral, and rich. This bottle offers a unique and present flavor that is a joy to taste.

1. Trader Joe’s California Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Taste 3)

Price: $7.99

I’ll admit it, I’m not a Trader Joe’s fan. It has this strange reputation as an inexpensive health food store, but I never found it to be all that inexpensive, and most of the best products are pre-packed frozen foods. If you’re buying your fruit and vegetables at Trader Joe’s, stop doing that you weirdo — all of the big market chains have cheaper produce and way more variety.

But I stand by what I said earlier, Trader Joe’s is absolutely the best place to buy olive oil from. Each of the bottles is cheap, you get a variety of options (California, Italy, Greece), and as far as I’ve tested, all of the bottles seem to be pretty high quality. Does it compare to the $50 Pasolivo? No. But not tasting them side by side, I don’t think I’d notice if I was at a restaurant unless I was looking for particular nuance.

In short, this California-sourced EVOO is delicious, full stop.

The Bottom Line:

Grassy and green with the slightest hint of fruit and black pepper at the finish.

The Big Takeaway:

You don’t have to break the bank for good olive oil — you don’t even have to spend more than $10. Do the pricey high-end bottles have more to offer? Absolutely. But if you’re just looking for a kitchen workhorse that gets the job done, the budget shelf has quality, you just have to know what to look for.

Keep it single source (or in this case at least from a single country or state) and ideally from a location that has a beautiful Mediterranean climate and you can’t go wrong.