Every summer, many customers ask us:
“Will high temperatures during shipping affect olive oil?”
“Why don’t you use dry ice?”
These are very reasonable questions.
High quality extra virgin olive oil is, at its core, a fresh agricultural product. Like fresh juice, wine, or specialty coffee, it is sensitive to storage conditions — especially: temperature, light, oxygen, and time.
The Challenge of Shipping Olive Oil in Summer
During the summer months, temperatures inside delivery trucks and warehouses can become extremely high.
In some areas, temperatures inside delivery vehicles may exceed 120°F (49°C) for several hours during the day.
Short-term heat exposure does not usually cause olive oil to “instantly go bad.” However, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can gradually affect:
• Fresh aromas
• Fruitiness and flavor complexity
• Polyphenol stability
• Overall freshness
Heat accelerates oxidation, which causes olive oil to age more quickly.
For high quality EVOO, our goal is not simply to deliver the bottle safely, but to preserve its original aroma and flavor as much as possible.
Why We Do Not Use Dry Ice
Many people assume dry ice is the best solution for summer shipping.
In reality, dry ice is extremely cold (approximately -78.5°C / -109°F), and extra virgin olive oil does not respond well to extreme cold — just as it does not respond well to extreme heat.
Extremely low temperatures may cause:
• Rapid solidification and crystallization
• Stress from repeated temperature fluctuations
• Muted aromas
• Unnecessary thermal shock to both the oil and the glass bottle
Our goal is stability — not freezing.
How We Will Ship During Summer 2026
Beginning June 10, 2026, our summer shipments will begin using:
• Insulated packaging
• Gel ice packs
as part of our seasonal shipping method.
In addition, we will also:
• Avoid late-week shipping whenever possible
• Delay some orders until Monday shipping
• Work to minimize the amount of time packages remain in extreme heat
These methods do not provide “perfect temperature control.”
Once a package enters the national shipping network, no small business can fully control temperatures inside trucks or warehouses.
However, these measures can significantly reduce both the duration and intensity of heat exposure during transit.
Melted Ice Packs Still Matter
A common misconception is:
“If the ice pack melted, it didn’t work.”
In reality, melted ice packs have often already completed their most important job.
The purpose of an ice pack is not necessarily to keep the olive oil cold upon arrival.
Its real purpose is to:
• Slow down temperature increase
• Absorb heat during the hottest stage of transit
• Reduce dramatic temperature fluctuations
• Create a more stable environment inside the package
Even after melting, the cooled gel and water continue regulating temperature better than air alone.
In many cases, the ice packs have already helped the product survive the hottest part of the journey before delivery.
Our Philosophy
There is no perfect way to ship olive oil during extreme summer weather.
What we can do is thoughtfully and carefully minimize unnecessary heat exposure as much as possible within real-world shipping conditions.
Because truly great extra virgin olive oil is not simply “cooking oil.”
It is fresh olive fruit juice with aroma, flavor, and living character.
And all fresh things prefer balance — not extremes.
A Small Recommendation for Summer Purchasing
If you are especially concerned about heat exposure during summer shipping, we also recommend considering purchasing enough olive oil before peak summer temperatures arrive.
Many customers choose to stock up before summer begins and store enough olive oil for June through September in a cool, dark place at home.
This helps avoid shipping during the hottest part of the year whenever possible.
Thank you for supporting high quality extra virgin olive oil.
Live and Love Well
Lovevoo
