πŸ«’

Pantry Staples

Olive oil, honey, chocolate, nuts, grains, and other foundational foods

83gold17silver
β—ˆHow We Evaluated This Category

βœ“What to Look For

  • β€’COOC certification for olive oil (stricter than international standards)
  • β€’Harvest date on olive oil (should be within 18 months)
  • β€’Heavy metal testing for chocolate and rice products
  • β€’Mercury testing for canned fish (Safe Catch tests every fish)
  • β€’Pasture-raised certifications with outdoor access requirements

βœ—Red Flags to Avoid

  • β€’Olive oils without harvest dates or vague origin claims
  • β€’Imported honey without origin (46% of imported honey is adulterated)
  • β€’Rice from Texas/Louisiana/Arkansas (highest arsenic levels)
  • β€’'Cage-free' eggs (just means no cages, not outdoor access)
  • β€’Fish without mercury testing or sustainable sourcing

πŸ“‹Our Methodology

Products evaluated on third-party certifications, published lab testing for contaminants, supply chain transparency, and adherence to category-specific quality standards. Prioritized brands with verifiable sourcing and independent testing.

πŸ…Key Certifications to Know

COOC Seal β€” California Olive Oil Council - stricter chemical and sensory standards than international
Certified Humane Pasture-Raised β€” 108 sq ft outdoor space per bird, 6+ hours outside daily
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) β€” Sustainable fishing practices, traceable supply chain
Fair Trade β€” Fair prices paid to farmers, community development premiums
USDA Organic β€” No synthetic pesticides, GMOs, or artificial additives

olive oil(9)

California Olive Ranch 100% California Extra Virgin Olive Oil
01Gold Standard
12/12

California Olive Ranch

100% California Extra Virgin Olive Oil

$15($0.60/oz)
View details β†’

COOC certified (stricter than international standards). Harvest date on every bottle. Single-origin California olives. Best-in-class freshness and traceability.

COOC-certifiedharvest-dated+2
Graza Sizzle (Cooking EVOO)
01Gold Standard
11/12

Graza

Sizzle (Cooking EVOO)

$20($0.80/oz)
View details β†’

Spanish single-origin Picual olives in squeeze bottle. Designed for cooking with higher smoke point. Harvest date on every bottle.

single-originsqueeze-bottle+2
California Olive Ranch 100% California Reserve Miller's Blend
01Gold Standard
12/12

California Olive Ranch

100% California Reserve Miller's Blend

$22.00-$26.00($1.30/oz)
View details β†’

This is the gold standard for domestic oil, carrying the COOC (California Olive Oil Council) seal which enforces stricter standards than the USDA. It is consistently fresh, single-origin, and provides a harvest date on every bottle.

COOC-certifiedCalifornia-grown+2
Cobram Estate California Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil
01Gold Standard
11/12

Cobram Estate

California Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil

$16.00-$20.00($1.25/oz)
View details β†’

Cobram Estate utilizes a proprietary 'tree-to-table' integrated model that ensures olives are crushed within 4-6 hours of picking. They are world leaders in olive oil research and consistently win international competitions for purity and flavor profile.

estate-grownaward-winning+2
Apollo Olive Oil Mistral Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
01Gold Standard
11/12

Apollo Olive Oil

Mistral Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

$36.00-$40.00($2.84/oz)
View details β†’

Apollo uses a unique vacuum-milling process that prevents oxygen from touching the oil during extraction, preserving the highest possible polyphenol levels. It is one of the few oils that is truly 'raw' and unheated.

organicvacuum-milled+2
Gaea Gaea Fresh
01Gold Standard
10/12

Gaea

Gaea Fresh

$18.00-$22.00($1.06/oz)
View details β†’

Gaea Fresh addresses the biggest enemy of olive oilβ€”oxidationβ€”by using nitrogen flushing and black-painted glass to block 100% of light and air. It is the first olive oil in the world to be certified carbon neutral.

carbon-neutralnitrogen-flushed+2
California Olive Ranch 100% California Reserve Collection Miller's Blend
01Gold Standard
12/12

California Olive Ranch

100% California Reserve Collection Miller's Blend

$22.99($0.91/fl oz)
View details β†’

This is the gold standard for domestic extra virgin olive oil, carrying the COOC seal which has stricter standards than international bodies. It is a single-origin oil that provides a clear harvest date and uses cold-extraction within hours of picking.

single-origincold-pressed+2
Cobram Estate California Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil
01Gold Standard
11/12

Cobram Estate

California Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil

$16.99($1.33/fl oz)
View details β†’

Cobram Estate utilizes proprietary 'ultra-premium' harvesting technology that minimizes fruit damage and preserves high polyphenol counts. Their oils consistently win international competitions for chemical purity and flavor profile.

estate-grownhigh-polyphenol+2
Bariani Bariani Extra Virgin Olive Oil
01Gold Standard
10/12

Bariani

Bariani Extra Virgin Olive Oil

$24.99($1.47/fl oz)
View details β†’

Bariani is a cult-favorite among purists for its 'raw' approach. It is unfiltered, decanted in stainless steel tanks, and bottled in small batches to maintain the highest possible enzymatic activity.

unfilteredorganic+2

honey(9)

Wedderspoon Raw Premium Manuka Honey KFactor 16
01Gold Standard
11/12

Wedderspoon

Raw Premium Manuka Honey KFactor 16

$30($3.40/oz)
View details β†’

KFactor 16 verified for authentic New Zealand manuka. Raw and unpasteurized. Non-GMO Project verified. Full traceability to New Zealand hives.

KFactor-certifiedraw+2
Comvita UMF 20+ Raw Manuka Honey
01Gold Standard
11/12

Comvita

UMF 20+ Raw Manuka Honey

$129.99($14.77/oz)
View details β†’

Comvita is the gold standard for therapeutic honey, holding both UMF and MGO certifications with a high 20+ rating. Every batch is triple-tested for purity and potency, ensuring the bioactive compounds remain intact through the supply chain.

manukaraw+2
Beekeeper's Naturals Raw Wildflower Honey
01Gold Standard
11/12

Beekeeper's Naturals

Raw Wildflower Honey

$15.99($0.91/oz)
View details β†’

This is the best everyday honey due to its strict 'Glyphosate Residue Free' certification and sustainable sourcing. It maintains the natural pollen and enzyme profile often lost in commercial processing.

wildflowerpesticide-free+2
Steens Raw Manuka Honey UMF 15+
01Gold Standard
11/12

Steens

Raw Manuka Honey UMF 15+

$54.95($4.58/oz)
View details β†’

Steens uses a unique 'Whole Bean' cold-press extraction method that doesn't fine-filter the honey, resulting in a higher amino acid and pollen content than even other premium Manuka brands.

cold-pressedmanuka+2
Heavenly Organics Raw Acacia Honey
01Gold Standard
10/12

Heavenly Organics

Raw Acacia Honey

$12.49($1.04/oz)
View details β†’

This honey is wild-harvested from the Himalayan mountains, making it naturally organic and free from the commercial agricultural chemicals found in many farm-based honeys.

organicwild-harvested+2
Comvita Certified UMF 20+ Raw Manuka Honey
01Gold Standard
11/12

Comvita

Certified UMF 20+ Raw Manuka Honey

$125.00($14.20/oz)
View details β†’

Comvita is the global leader in medical-grade Manuka honey, holding the prestigious UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) certification which guarantees MGO levels. Their 20+ grade offers therapeutic-level methylglyoxal concentrations with full traceability from hive to jar.

manukatherapeutic+2
Steens Raw Unpasteurized Manuka Honey UMF 15+
01Gold Standard
11/12

Steens

Raw Unpasteurized Manuka Honey UMF 15+

$54.95($4.58/oz)
View details β†’

Steens distinguishes itself by using a unique 'Whole Bean' cold-press extraction method that preserves the bee bread (pollen) and natural enzymes better than centrifugal extraction. Their traceability system allows consumers to see the exact GPS location of the hive their honey came from.

cold-pressedraw+2
Beekeeper's Naturals Raw Wildflower Honey
01Gold Standard
11/12

Beekeeper's Naturals

Raw Wildflower Honey

$14.99($0.85/oz)
View details β†’

Beekeeper's Naturals sets the standard for purity in everyday honey by third-party testing for pesticides like glyphosate and neonicotinoids. Their wildflower honey is raw, enzymatic, and sourced from sustainable apiaries across North America.

pesticide-freeraw+2
Heavenly Organics Raw White Himalayan Honey
02Excellent
9/12

Heavenly Organics

Raw White Himalayan Honey

$13.49($1.12/oz)
View details β†’

This is a rare, single-origin honey harvested from wild beehives in the Himalayan Mountains. It is USDA Organic and Fair Trade, ensuring that the honey is free from agricultural runoff and that the wild harvesters are paid fairly.

organicwild-harvested+2

chocolate(9)

Hu Simple Dark Chocolate Bar
01Gold Standard
10/12

Hu

Simple Dark Chocolate Bar

$6($6/bar)
View details β†’

Only 3 ingredients: cacao, coconut sugar, cocoa butter. No refined sugar, dairy, soy lecithin, or emulsifiers. Certified organic and Fair Trade.

organicFair-Trade+2
Valrhona Guanaja 70% Dark Chocolate
01Gold Standard
11/12

Valrhona

Guanaja 70% Dark Chocolate

$9.99-$12.00($0.14/g)
View details β†’

Valrhona is the gold standard for professional pastry chefs, offering unmatched consistency and a B Corp certification that ensures ethical sourcing. The Guanaja bar is celebrated for its complex flavor profile and commitment to 100% traceability to the plantation level.

dark chocolateb-corp+2
Pascha Organic 85% Cacao Dark Chocolate
01Gold Standard
11/12

Pascha

Organic 85% Cacao Dark Chocolate

$5.49-$6.50($0.07/g)
View details β†’

Pascha specializes in 'ultra-clean' chocolate, specifically targeting the removal of common allergens and heavy metal contaminants. Their 85% bar is one of the purest on the market, using only organic cocoa mass, organic cane sugar, and organic cocoa butter.

allergen-freeorganic+2
Raaka Pink Sea Salt 71% Unroasted Chocolate
01Gold Standard
10/12

Raaka

Pink Sea Salt 71% Unroasted Chocolate

$6.00-$8.00($0.12/g)
View details β†’

Raaka utilizes an 'unroasted' process that preserves the natural polyphenols and fruity flavor profiles of the bean. They are industry leaders in 'Transparent Trade,' publishing exactly what they pay farmers, which is significantly above Fair Trade minimums.

unroastedtransparent trade+2
Taza Chocolate 70% Deliciously Dark Amaze Bar
01Gold Standard
11/12

Taza Chocolate

70% Deliciously Dark Amaze Bar

$4.50-$5.50($0.06/g)
View details β†’

Taza is the pioneer of stone-ground chocolate in the US, using traditional Mexican molinos. This minimal processing results in a unique, gritty texture that preserves the integrity of the bean and requires fewer additives.

stone-grounddirect trade+2
Raaka Chocolate Pink Sea Salt 71% Dark Chocolate
01Gold Standard
11/12

Raaka Chocolate

Pink Sea Salt 71% Dark Chocolate

$5.95($3.30/oz)
View details β†’

Raaka uses an unroasted 'bean-to-bar' process that preserves the natural antioxidant profile and complex flavors of the cacao. Their commitment to transparent trade and organic, single-origin sourcing is industry-leading.

unroastedorganic+3
Taza Chocolate Organic Amaze Bar 80% Dark
01Gold Standard
11/12

Taza Chocolate

Organic Amaze Bar 80% Dark

$5.50($2.20/oz)
View details β†’

Taza uses traditional stone-grinding to create a unique gritty texture that requires minimal processing and no industrial conching. This 'Direct Trade' pioneer offers exceptional purity with only two ingredients in their base bars.

stone-grounddirect-trade+3
Beyond Good Single Origin Madagascar 80% Dark
01Gold Standard
10/12

Beyond Good

Single Origin Madagascar 80% Dark

$4.99($1.89/oz)
View details β†’

Beyond Good is one of the few brands that manufactures at the source in Madagascar, ensuring the cacao is processed fresh and providing more economic value to the local community. Their heirloom Criollo cacao is naturally less bitter.

heirloomsingle-origin+2
Alter Eco Classic Blackout 85% Dark
02Excellent
9/12

Alter Eco

Classic Blackout 85% Dark

$4.49($1.59/oz)
View details β†’

Alter Eco is a leader in regenerative agriculture and climate-neutral business practices. Their Blackout bar is a high-potency dark chocolate with minimal sugar and clean ingredients.

regenerativefair-trade+2

nut butters(5)

Once Again Organic Creamy Almond Butter
01Gold Standard
11/12

Once Again

Organic Creamy Almond Butter

$12($0.75/oz)
View details β†’

Single ingredient: dry roasted organic almonds. No added oils, sugar, or salt. Employee-owned company. Glass jar (no BPA concerns).

single-ingredientorganic+2
Once Again Organic Creamy Peanut Butter (No Salt Added)
01Gold Standard
12/12

Once Again

Organic Creamy Peanut Butter (No Salt Added)

$10.49($0.65/oz)
View details β†’

Once Again sets the gold standard for safety and purity in peanut butter, utilizing a rigorous testing protocol for aflatoxins and heavy metals that far exceeds industry standards. Their employee-owned model ensures high accountability and consistent quality in their organic, single-ingredient product.

organicno-palm-oil+2
Artisana Organics Raw Organic Almond Butter
01Gold Standard
10/12

Artisana Organics

Raw Organic Almond Butter

$18.99($1.35/oz)
View details β†’

Artisana is the premier choice for nutrient density, using a unique stone-grinding process that keeps the almonds raw (under 115Β°F). This preserves the natural enzymes and delicate monounsaturated fats that are often degraded by high-heat commercial roasting.

rawstone-ground+2
Georgia Grinders Creamy Pecan Butter
01Gold Standard
10/12

Georgia Grinders

Creamy Pecan Butter

$14.99($1.25/oz)
View details β†’

Georgia Grinders produces small-batch nut butters with a focus on sourcing. Their pecan butter is made from premium Georgia-grown pecans and sea salt, offering a superior omega-3 profile compared to almond or peanut butter.

pecan-buttersmall-batch+3
Georgia Grinders Creamy Roasted Almond Butter
02Excellent
9/12

Georgia Grinders

Creamy Roasted Almond Butter

$14.50($1.20/oz)
View details β†’

Georgia Grinders focuses on small-batch production using high-quality California almonds and a touch of sea salt. Their slow-roasting process creates a superior flavor profile without the need for the sugars or stabilizers found in mass-market almond butters.

small-batchroasted+2

rice grains(1)

canned fish(2)

eggs(4)

butter dairy(1)