If you love garlic, this bottle will quickly become your go-to in the kitchen. Kofinas Garlic Mediterranean Infused is made from single-origin, monovarietal Koroneiki extra virgin olive oil, cold-pressed from olives grown in the Messara Valley in Crete and infused in-house with real garlic and classic Mediterranean herbs.
No artificial flavors. No extracts. Just honest ingredients and a garlic flavor that shows up in every dish you make.
What Is Garlic Infused Olive Oil?
Garlic infused olive oil is extra virgin olive oil that has been infused with garlic to carry that bold, savory flavor into the oil itself. It is one of the most used flavor combinations in Mediterranean cooking, and it has been that way for centuries.
At Kofinas, our Garlic Mediterranean Olive Oil starts with a base that sets it apart. The Garlic Mediterranean Infused is built on a single-origin, monovarietal Koroneiki EVOO, meaning it comes from one olive variety, grown in one region: the Messara Valley in Crete.
That matters because a quality base oil carries its own flavor character before the garlic is even added. The result is a richer, more layered garlic oil compared to anything made from a blended or refined base.
What Are the Ingredients in Garlic Mediterranean Infused Olive Oil?
Simple ingredients, done well. Here is what goes into every bottle:
- Koroneiki Extra Virgin Olive Oil - cold-pressed from olives hand-harvested in the Messara Valley, Crete
- Dry Garlic - real garlic, not an extract or artificial garlic flavor
- Mediterranean Herbs - rosemary, thyme, and basil that round out the flavor
No citric acid, no preservatives, no fillers. The oil is infused in-house at our Montgomery Infusion Kitchen in Cincinnati, so we control every step of the process from the base oil to the final bottle.
A lot of garlic infused oils on the market rely on natural garlic flavor sourced from extracts rather than real garlic. With Kofinas, what you smell when you open the bottle is exactly what you taste in your food.
What Is the Flavor Profile of Garlic Infused Olive Oil?
Open the bottle and the aroma hits you first. Warm, savory garlic with a fresh herbal note from the rosemary and thyme underneath. It is bold without being sharp or aggressive.
On the palate, the garlic flavor leads, supported by the herb blend that softens the finish. The Koroneiki EVOO base brings a subtle fruitiness and a mild pepper note at the back, which is a natural characteristic of high-quality extra virgin olive oil from Crete.
It is the kind of oil that makes simple food taste like it took real effort. If you want that same garlic warmth with a smoky kick added in, the Spicy Garlic Infused oil is worth a look.
What Is Garlic Infused Olive Oil Used For?
This is where the oil earns its spot on the counter. Garlic olive oil works across countless dishes because garlic and olive oil are already the starting point for so much of Mediterranean cooking. You are essentially getting 2 ingredients in 1 bottle.
Here are the best ways to use it:
- Bread dipping - pour into a shallow dish, add a pinch of salt and pepper, and serve with crusty bread. Simple and delicious every time.
- Pasta - toss with cooked pasta, a squeeze of lemon juice, and fresh herbs for a quick meal that tastes far better than the effort required
- Sauteing - use in place of regular olive oil or butter when cooking vegetables, proteins, or eggs. It handles heat well and will not burn the way fresh garlic does in a hot pan.
- Marinades - mix with salt, pepper, and herbs for a straightforward marinade for grilled meats, seafood, or roasted veggies
- Homemade salad dressings - whisk with lemon juice or balsamic for a salad dressing that beats anything bottled
- Roasted potatoes - coat potatoes before roasting for a golden, garlicky finish
- Mashed potatoes - stir in at the end instead of butter for a lighter but equally rich result
- Sauces - use as the base fat in pasta sauces or dipping sauces for a deeper flavor from the start
If bread dipping is your thing, the Mediterranean dipping gift set pairs this oil with balsamic vinegars and a dipping spice pack, a great combination for hosting or gifting.
What Are the Health Benefits of Garlic Infused Olive Oil?
Garlic and extra virgin olive oil are both well-studied for their health properties. Together, they make a cooking oil that adds real nutritional value to your daily diet.
Extra virgin olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and polyphenols, natural antioxidants linked to reduced inflammation and better cardiovascular health. Kofinas EVOO carries a polyphenol content of 500mg/kg and above, well beyond what most store-bought options deliver.
Garlic brings allicin to the table, a sulfur compound with anti-inflammatory properties that has been associated with better blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels over time.
A few more things worth knowing:
- Garlic infused olive oil is a popular option for people following a low FODMAP diet, as the fructans in garlic do not transfer into the oil during infusion
- The smoke point of EVOO sits around 375-405°F, making it reliable for sauteing, light frying, and roasting
- How much a nutrient from food contributes to your health depends on your full diet. For general nutrition advice, a registered dietitian is always the best resource
How to Store Your Garlic Infused Olive Oil
Olive oil has been used as a natural preservative for thousands of years, so your bottle is more resilient than you might think. A few simple habits will keep the garlic flavor at its best:
- Keep moisture out - moisture is the biggest threat to olive oil quality. Make sure the cap is sealed well between uses, and avoid introducing any water or wet utensils into the bottle. A pour-spout helps here.
- Store in a dark place - light degrades the oil over time. A pantry or kitchen cabinet is ideal.
- Room temperature is best - no need to refrigerate. Cold temperatures cause condensation, which introduces moisture and can make the oil go rancid.
- Away from direct heat - a bottle near the stovetop is fine if you use it often. The goal is regular use, not perfect isolation.
- Shelf life - an unopened bottle stored correctly lasts 18-24 months. Once opened, enjoy it within 9-12 months for peak flavor and the full benefit of its polyphenols.
A quick test: fresh garlic infused oil should smell warm and aromatic when you open it. If it smells flat or stale, it is time for a new bottle.
Not sure which oil is right for you? Contact the Kofinas team and we will be happy to help.