If olive oil is a staple in your kitchen, consider this your cue to start treating it like the star ingredient it actually is. For more than three decades, Québec-based Maison Orphée has been quietly elevating the everyday with high-quality, accessible oils—and according to President Élisabeth Bélanger, it all comes down to intention. “Our main focus for the last 25 years has been high quality, premium, affordable olive oil that you can use every day,” she shares.
Because not all olive oil is created equal. While many shoppers assume “pure” olive oil signals quality, Bélanger explains that’s not quite the case. “Pure means that there’s only olive oil in the bottle, but it doesn’t account for quality … Extra Virgin is the best quality you can find.” It’s a distinction that matters—not just for flavour, but for how an oil performs in your cooking and on your plate.
Maison Orphée’s approach is rooted in close relationships with growers around the world. “We work with several smaller farmers with whom we have true partnerships… Each year we visit the different families… to understand their process,” Bélanger says. That attention to detail shows up in the final product, where taste is shaped by everything from climate to harvest conditions.
So what should you actually be tasting? According to Bélanger, great olive oil is all about balance. “You’re looking for the fruity ‘olive’ aspect… then the bitterness, and the pepperiness. These are the three qualities you want to find.” Whether you lean delicate or intense, it’s that harmony that defines a truly good oil.
And yes, olive oil has enemies. Light, air, heat, and time can all impact quality—hence the importance of dark bottles and paying attention to freshness. “A rancid oil … can smell fishy or vinegary or even like wax crayons,” Bélanger notes. Not exactly the vibe you’re going for in your next salad dressing.
When it comes to using it, Bélanger keeps things refreshingly simple. A balanced extra virgin olive oil shines as a finishing touch—drizzled over fish, tossed with greens, or paired with tomatoes and goat cheese. Meanwhile, more delicate oils are perfect for cooking, from soups to pastas to even baked goods.
But perhaps the most compelling takeaway is this: olive oil isn’t just an ingredient—it’s a ritual. “I just love it with bread, or to top hummus with a drizzle of olive oil … A day is wasted without olive oil,” she says.
Consider that your permission to pour generously. —Noa Nichol
Win! 1 of 3 $100 Maison Orphée Prize Packs!
Congrats Rosalie R. of Mitchell, ON, Dale B. of Calgary, AB, and Velika P. of Trois-Rivières, QC, who will each receive a $100 Maison Orphée Prize Pack, including:
- 1 x Delicate Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 x Delicate Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 x Balanced Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 x Balanced Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 x Lemon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding. Full contest rules/regulations here.
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April 13th, 2026 at 9:10 am
I love a simple salad and homemade dressing! @karleeeerae
Thank you! IG: @winswithabogey
April 13th, 2026 at 9:14 am
On my egg on rye bread.
April 13th, 2026 at 9:20 am
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio @yawoftheshaft. My IG name is @toco11.
April 13th, 2026 at 9:21 am
Focacia
@LarsenBaldry
April 13th, 2026 at 9:22 am
I use olive oil in all of my basic marinades, along side of lemon juice cracked pepper, and Dijon. And like I said on Instagram, never underestimate the power of a simple but delicious salad dressing with quality olive oil, maple syrup. Dijon cracked black pepper and lemon juice @alohadismom
April 13th, 2026 at 9:41 am
Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá (Portuguese salt cod casserole). We use olive oil in making it and also drizzle before serving.
Tag @enjoyerofbooks
I’m @lara.maynard on IG.
April 13th, 2026 at 9:42 am
I use Olive Oil in Salads @bettybattiste
April 13th, 2026 at 9:45 am
On pizza ♡
@nathalielabbe1623
April 13th, 2026 at 9:46 am
On pizza @lindafilion
April 13th, 2026 at 9:54 am
Pizza @mitch_yeg21
April 13th, 2026 at 10:06 am
Olive oil cake
@Wass.ingdelia
April 13th, 2026 at 10:22 am
Greek Salad tag: @jorikellow
My ig: @LesliCKellow
April 13th, 2026 at 10:31 am
i love olive oil on fresh garden tomatoes. tagged my friend ch.im
I am @jefftraderc on insta
April 13th, 2026 at 11:18 am
@mulsy73
Bread@mulsy69sm
April 13th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Stir fry! 😋
April 13th, 2026 at 11:38 am
Would be amazing to win for my chicken salads and more. Thank you. Belleviemtl on IG and TikTok
April 13th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
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April 13th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Tagged @miss_mama_xo
I am gramma_llama_28
April 13th, 2026 at 12:11 pm
Pasta @j3n_o
IG @plumie.o
April 13th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Alio e Olio @aakritist
My IG @axeterisk
April 13th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
So many uses for olive oil but one thing I use it for is Caesar salad.
@teresaalbertagirl
@e.j,egert
@ryley_pochapsky,
My handle is @dorisavra.
April 13th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
I prefer to use the best olive oil in Hummus! @oxo.cube
April 13th, 2026 at 1:25 pm
@belcantor24 freshly baked bread thanks
@asdsafel
April 13th, 2026 at 1:26 pm
I use olive oil to fry potatoes @debfifitte.I am @wghutton
April 13th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
Wow love this Contest! With Olive Oil, I love some pasta with just olive Oil, garlic, basilic 😍 @marysecharb
April 13th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
Olive Oil Cake
@svitlanarezai
@lillil88888888
April 13th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
Homemade Salad dressing with olive oil
@mary_kotso
April 13th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
I like olive oil in my salads @allannippard
@ksceviour on Instagram
April 13th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
Olive oil salad dressing is my favourite dish to enjoy olive oil. @lyndac1968
@caro.craftnook
April 13th, 2026 at 6:23 pm
Our roasted vegetables are always made with olive oil @karin_1622
@skarm_1622
April 13th, 2026 at 6:53 pm
Greek salad @akathenan
April 13th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
I love hummus!! @the.joyful.albertan
andrea_hockeygirl
April 13th, 2026 at 9:54 pm
Pasta with olive oil, and caprese salad w olive oil @beecarts
My Instagram: @legallyblondeambition
April 14th, 2026 at 4:06 am
Shrimp baked in olive oil and garlic over spaghetti @jfitze2
April 14th, 2026 at 4:16 am
@mightymad0 Orange Cake, I am @jufu248
April 14th, 2026 at 4:21 am
Sur la pizza, crevettes cuites à l’huile d’olive avec tomates séchées! Mon pseudo est lindafi62. Merci!
April 14th, 2026 at 4:29 am
Marinara Penne
IG @tonivelthuis
April 14th, 2026 at 5:08 am
Olive oil with flavoured balsamic vinegar on my charcuterie boards @cobblers1978
@amandalmasters99
April 14th, 2026 at 5:25 am
Garlic Aioli @rebeccalynn7603 posted by @lebeau5450
April 14th, 2026 at 6:07 am
I love a cod fish and roasted potatoes dish drizzled in extra virgin olive oil! @krisha444444
By: @benchmark.faria
April 14th, 2026 at 6:18 am
@akathenan
PESTO!
INSTAGRAM NAME: @muapetahl
April 14th, 2026 at 7:57 am
I am pretty partial to dipping bread in olive oil and balsamic. @gypsy_cat69
@arcticvixen007
April 14th, 2026 at 7:59 am
Roasted asparagus
@vannarip
April 14th, 2026 at 8:25 am
I use olive oil in my everyday cooking, especially dressings and pasta sauces. @hdfraga Thanks, @maryandcedar
April 14th, 2026 at 9:16 am
I like olive oil on roasted root veggies @furnaceguy66
janetlmeisner
April 14th, 2026 at 10:01 am
Bruschetta @vélikaparent
April 14th, 2026 at 10:26 am
@paulgalbas a mix of maison Orphée olive oil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar my go to with a good piece of fermented bread ! 😃😊🥖
April 14th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio 🍝
@j.laq
My instagram: @bri0774
April 14th, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Many years ago I lived in France for a couple of years. That is where my love and respect for the many attributes of Olive Oil. It is so versatile and when you discover the many variations you will realize a whole new way to cook and create delicious dishes featuring Olive Oil.
April 14th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
A good olive oil is needed on all my pasta dishes. On ig lillianmb23
April 14th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
I love a good hummus with olive oil. @mcguiremcclean
@msdanieli
April 14th, 2026 at 7:44 pm
Avocado and Herb Salad.
@missy_kkkk
April 14th, 2026 at 10:24 pm
Sourdough with olive oil and spices @ahutch780
April 15th, 2026 at 8:23 am
Olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip for my favourite breads
April 15th, 2026 at 9:55 am
Olive oil & balsamic for bread dipping
@marilyn_kaluza
April 15th, 2026 at 10:21 am
For salad dressing
@squirrelandspud9
April 16th, 2026 at 6:39 am
I love hubby’s clam pasta @davetravels1
pamalot28
April 16th, 2026 at 8:48 am
I love, love, love making Aglio e Olio Pasta with olive oil. @alicesp18
My Instagram handle: @wandyjb
April 16th, 2026 at 8:49 am
My favourite dish with olive oil is salad while adding good balsamic vinegar also. I tagged my friend @couicoui77
My IG is @melcami1
April 16th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Olive oil, balsamic vinegar and focaccia 😍 @daylebag
April 16th, 2026 at 8:52 pm
Pasta Aglio e olio Le Pete
April 17th, 2026 at 5:15 am
I love dipping fresh bread in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Such a tasty treat 😋
Ig: proudmomjess
April 17th, 2026 at 6:52 am
I use this brand to make my delicious homemade salad dressing! @adistantship on IG
April 17th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Vegetable stir fry. @thebunklady
My IG @minty_mo2020
April 17th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
Pasta and pasta salads
@manny3062
April 18th, 2026 at 4:42 am
drizzled over pizza!
@rachelanncartwright on instagram
April 18th, 2026 at 6:26 am
“ Bread dipped in olive oil and vinegar. Yum! @jconlinz”
@medievalcanadian
April 18th, 2026 at 7:49 am
Olive oil, balsamic vinegar and house salad!
@routhierdaniel
April 18th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
Burrata with olive oil, balsamic and sourdough
@kwjamilla
April 18th, 2026 at 6:48 pm
Salads 🥗
Instagram: feed_me_nina
April 19th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
With salad or dip my bread in it
@s2_vii
April 19th, 2026 at 3:59 pm
Pesto tortellini @abraidwood
April 19th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
Olio e aglio
@nommynomnomms
April 19th, 2026 at 8:37 pm
Salads @chrismiles
April 19th, 2026 at 9:10 pm
Salad dressing, but olive oil is essential for so many dishes.
@saffron.threads
April 20th, 2026 at 8:37 am
Garlic shrimp @carole.ccm
@maibdan
April 20th, 2026 at 8:56 pm
Bruschetta @emilyisland
My IG @romantaimaggie
April 20th, 2026 at 8:56 pm
Chicken Stirfry with vegetables is my fav dish with olive oil @
@cmcleodmetz on IG
April 20th, 2026 at 8:59 pm
My fav dish with olive oil is Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
@iksundby on IG
April 21st, 2026 at 12:04 am
I love using olive oil in my home made pasta sauces, hummus and salad dressings
IG. @JohannaNewman88