The Best Olive Oils Made in the U.S. - Producers across the U.S. are pressing olive oils that are truly world-class. Here are five of the best, sourced everywhere from Georgia to California

From The Wall Street Journal:

MEDITERRANEAN OLIVE OILS have long been held up as the gold standard, but there are a number of good reasons to look closer to home when sourcing bottles for your kitchen. According to studies out of the University of California, Davis, for instance, nearly two-thirds of Mediterranean olive oils labeled extra-virgin—meaning extracted mechanically (without the use of heat or chemicals) solely from the fruit of the olive tree, and meeting a variety of chemical standards, including no more than 0.8 percent free fatty acidity (FFA), which is a marker of decomposition—aren't actually extra-virgin at all.

Though it is, of course, possible to find European oils from reliable and ethical producers, it is also worth trying the many flavorful, utterly pure olive oils made right here in the U.S. Producers across the country, from Florida to Oregon to Hawaii, are growing and pressing olives, and many are putting labels on their bottles that clearly state date and location of harvest. Even better, many American olive oils taste fantastic. Domestic bottles are increasingly winning awards at international competitions. They are also typically fresher than imported oils, and therefore frequently boast brighter, more complex flavors. At right, a few standouts.

The Southern Revival

Records show that in the 18th century, Spanish colonists on the coast of Georgia planted olive groves that persisted until sometime around the Civil War. Fast forward to 2009, when Georgia Olive Farms, a cooperative of growers from the southern part of the state, began experimenting with different varieties. Their Arbequina, Arbesana and Koroneiki trees have since proven remarkably successful. The cooperative's Chef's Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil is an excellent everyday oil with a mild, nutty flavor that works well for everything from sautéing vegetables to making homemade marinades and pestos. $32 for 500 ml, georgiaolivefarms.com