Is it normal for olive oil to freeze in the refrigerator?

Question

I recently bought a bottle of olive oil, and it smelled like proper olive oil, but when I put it in the refrigerator, it froze solid. I thought the great thing about olive oil is that it's very liquid and doesn't solidify in your blood vessels, so what's the deal?

(By the way, I had another bottle that was expired, but it didn't freeze.)

Answer 1

Olive oil congeals in the refrigerator.  Take it out and when it comes to room temperature it will be back in oil form with no harm done.  

The other olive oil may have had some vegetable oil in that kept it from congealing.

Answer 2

shouldn't freeze or become completely solid. maybe there's something wrong with that bottle?

Answer 3

Refrigerator temperatures are preset to around 37 degrees F.

Oil which has not been winterized will clump and form needle-like crystals at refrigerator temperatures as the longer chain fats and waxes in the oil congeal, but the oil will not usually harden completely unless chilled further. Some olive varieties form waxes which produce long thin crystals, others form waxes which congeal into rosettes, slimy clumps, clouds, a swirl of egg white like material, or white sediment which the consumer may fear represents spoilage.  These visual imperfections may form outside the refrigerator during the winter when oil is exposed to cold temperatures during transport. Chilling or freezing olive oil does no harm and the oil will return  to its normal consistency when warmed.

Answer 4

It depends upon the type of olive when it will start to harden because of being in a cold environment.

The link that I list below will give you all sorts of information why - everything from the type of olive used to the ideal storage temperature, which is 50 degrees.

All fats harden if they get cold enough.

Answer 5

Oils will solidify in the fridge. Keep the olive oil in a cabinet, at room temperature.

Answer 6

I'm not sure what it did was freeze.  It will solidify in the bottle but when you take it out it will reliquify.  I keep mine in the fridge all the time because I buy big bottles and don't want it to go rancid before I've used it up.

Answer 7

I have a mixture of olive oil and salt in the freezer. That's my butter. I don't see why not.