This article was first published in the Fat Olive Blog at PJ Kabos and is republished here on OliveOil.com.
When choosing a good extra virgin olive oil, what the oil comes in matters more than we might think. Light, heat, and air are three of olive oil's greatest enemies, which is why good packaging plays such an important role in protecting it.
One particularly interesting option — especially for larger quantities of olive oil — is Bag-in-Box.
At PJ Kabos, we recently introduced our Family Reserve Organic Robust in a 3-liter Bag-in-Box, which gave me the perfect opportunity to take a closer look at how this rather clever packaging actually works.
Why Bag-in-Box?
So, what makes a box with a bag inside particularly well suited to protecting extra virgin olive oil from one of its enemies, oxygen when using a large container? Lots of container block light, but oxygen is a different story.
So let's take a look.
The Contracting Bag is the Story Here
It is all about what happens inside the dark, attractive box that protects the oil from light.
We might not think about it, but with a traditional bottle or tin, each time olive oil is poured out, air — since we live on planet Earth — quickly flows into the container and takes the place of the oil. This is less of a concern when your container is small, such as a 500 ml bottle, and is consequently used up fairly quickly — one of the reasons small containers are often recommended for high-quality EVOO. But with a larger, more economical container, the oil may be sitting there much longer. Over time, that increased exposure to oxygen can gradually diminish the oil's freshness, flavor and beneficial compounds.
And this is where Bag-in-Box does something very clever.
Takeaway:
The larger the container, the more important it becomes to protect olive oil from the air that enters as the oil is used.
Clever Bag-in-Box — How it works
As the olive oil is dispensed through the tap at the bottom of the box, the food-safe bag inside the box contracts around the oil that remains. Unlike a bottle or tin, where air takes the place of the oil as it is poured out, the inner bag simply contracts around the oil that remains.
Consequently, the Bag-in-Box doesn't allow nearly as much air to stay in residence with the oil which means you can safely store your oil in this larger container.
Stretching an analogy a bit, it's similar to a balloon that a child has blown up and then let the air out of again and again. The sides of the deflated balloon tend to lie against one another rather than simply filling themselves back up with air. Because the balloon has no rigid structure forcing those sides apart, the child has to deliberately blow air back inside to expand it again.
The inner bag works on a similar principle: as the olive oil is dispensed through the tap at the bottom of the box, the flexible bag holding the remaining oil collapses around it rather than leaving an empty space that would otherwise be filled with air.
This is particularly important with a larger container. Instead of three liters of olive oil being increasingly exposed to air as the container empties, the bag simply contracts and becomes smaller and smaller along with the amount of oil inside.
Takeaway:
As the oil is used, the inner bag contracts with it, greatly reducing the amount of air that comes into contact with the remaining olive oil.
More Olive Oil — Better Value
There is another very practical advantage to Bag-in-Box: it allows us to offer more of our high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil at a more economical price per liter.
Our 3-liter Bag-in-Box contains the equivalent of six 500 ml bottles of PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Robust. For those who use extra virgin olive oil generously and every day — as we do — a larger, more economical quantity makes very good sense.
Of course, six individual 500 ml bottles also protect the oil very well, since each bottle remains sealed until you are ready to use it and, once opened, it is generally used up fairly quickly. It also sits very nicely on a table. The clever advantage of Bag-in-Box is that it gives you both the convenience and economy of one large 3-liter container while greatly limiting the oil's exposure to air as you work your way through it.
Takeaway:
Bag-in-Box offers the better value of a larger quantity while helping protect the oil inside from unnecessary exposure to air.
How to Open the PJ Kabos Bag-in-Box — Watch Video
PJ Kabos Bag-in-Box: How to open and use.
A Note from the Author
I have been happily testing our new Bag-in-Box in my own kitchen, and I have to say that one of my favorite things about it has nothing to do with oxygen or packaging science — although both are of utmost importance. It is simply fun to use and so convenient as I use a lot of oil.
I have three liters of delicious Family Reserve Organic High-Phenolic EVOO literally at my fingertips. I simply pull up on the little tabs on the tap — which doesn't drip — and dispense exactly what I need directly into a pan, bowl, spoon or plate. I can also fill a small secondary bottle with just what I need for immediate use or to place on the table.
And then there is the box itself. It's downright pretty! With its matte black exterior and PJ Kabos gold detailing, it doesn't feel like a large, bulky container that needs to be hidden away. Mine sits proudly on my open kitchen shelf, ready whenever I need it.
No lifting a heavy container. No pouring. Just pull up on the tabs. And there it is! Gorgeous, precious PJ Kabos High-Phenolic Family Reserve Robust Organic EVOO (Note: Select "Pack Size" and you will see options for purchasing the Robust oil — including Bag-in-Box — in the drop down menu.)
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS BAG-IN-BOX?
Bag-in-Box is a packaging system in which the olive oil is held inside a food-safe flexible bag, protected by an outer box. The oil is dispensed through a built-in tap at the bottom.
WHICH PJ KABOS OLIVE OIL IS AVAILABLE IN BAG-IN-BOX?
Our PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil is currently available in the 3-liter Bag-in-Box. It is our award-winning high-phenolic, organic, robust Greek EVOO made from Olympia and Koroneiki olives. (Note: Select "Pack Size" and you will see options for purchasing the Robust oil — including Bag-in-Box — in the drop down menu.)
WHY IS BAG-IN-BOX USEFUL FOR A 3-LITER CONTAINER?
With a traditional large container, more and more air occupies the space left behind as the oil is used. With Bag-in-Box, the inner bag becomes smaller along with the amount of oil inside, making it particularly useful for storing a larger quantity.
DOES THE BOX PROTECT THE OLIVE OIL FROM LIGHT TOO?
Yes. The dark outer box completely surrounds the inner bag, protecting the olive oil from light — another of extra virgin olive oil's greatest enemies.
HOW MUCH OLIVE OIL IS IN THE PJ KABOS BAG-IN-BOX?
It contains 3 liters (101.4 fl oz) — the equivalent of six 500 ml bottles.
CAN I DISPENSE THE OLIVE OIL DIRECTLY FROM THE BOX?
Absolutely. Simply use the built-in tap to put as much as you need directly into a pan, bowl, plate or spoon. You can also fill a small secondary bottle for immediate use or to place on your table.
WHERE SHOULD I KEEP MY BAG-IN-BOX?
As with all extra virgin olive oil, keep it in a cool, dry place away from heat. A kitchen shelf or counter can work well as long as it is not next to the stove, oven, in direct sunlight or another source of heat.
WHAT IS THE INNER BAG MADE OF?
The olive oil is held inside a food-safe inner container designed for direct contact with food and compliant with applicable EU food-contact regulations.
SHOULD I REFRIGERATE MY BAG-IN-BOX OLIVE OIL?
No. Refrigeration can cause olive oil to become cloudy or partially solidify, but this does not mean the oil has spoiled or lost its beneficial properties. Once returned to room temperature, it will generally become clear and liquid again. A cool, stable room temperature away from heat is preferable. Besides...a 3-liter container is pretty big to store in a refrigerator!
IS BAG-IN-BOX BETTER THAN A 500 ML BOTTLE?
Not at all — they serve different needs. A smaller dark or painted bottle offers excellent protection. It is generally used quite quickly once opened.
Bag-in-Box offers a different advantage for people who want to buy in larger, more economical quantity, because its contracting inner bag helps limit the increased exposure to air normally associated with a large rigid container. Plus, for a large container it is very easy to use.
Visit and Shop
You can also have a look around our websites and shop our high-phenolic extra virgin olive oils directly at PJ Kabos.com or OliveOil.com or through PJ Kabos Amazon Store. Follow along with us on Instagram for photos from our groves in Greece, olive oil production, articles, family history and more.
Please note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance regarding your health and medical conditions.
PJ Kabos High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Your Trusted Oil, Straight from Our Table to Yours.
