Praised by Celebrities Amid Slow-Aging Craze... "This" Tops Food Search Rankings

Up 109% Year-on-Year, 260% Compared to 2023
Rising Interest in Uses Driven by Diet Trends

Olive oil (photo to aid article understanding). Pixabay

Olive oil ranked first in search volume among more than 25,000 food-related items, with 310,000 monthly searches. This figure surpasses the search volumes of popular foods such as fried chicken, gimbap, shabu-shabu, and coffee. When adding separately tallied types of olive oil, such as "extra virgin olive oil," "pressed olive oil," and "cold-pressed olive oil," the total search volume approached 400,000.

According to AhaTrend, which investigates and analyzes consumer search data, an examination of portal site search volumes for over 25,000 food and ingredient keywords revealed that "olive oil" recorded the highest search volume among all foods and ingredients in August 2025. The search volume for "olive oil" rose by 20% compared to the previous month, by 109% compared to the same month last year, and by 260% compared to August 2023, showing a clear upward trend over the past two to three years.

Trend of olive oil search volume analyzed by Ahatrend based on Naver search volume. Ahatrend

The rise in olive oil searches can be attributed to increasing interest in health and dieting. Dishes using olive oil, such as salads, marinades, and pasta, have become more popular, and the "Olle Shot" (olive oil mixed with lemon juice) has also gained significant popularity this year. In addition, reports that many celebrities drink olive oil every morning to slow aging have further fueled demand.

Many people are showing interest in the Mediterranean diet, which includes olive oil in nearly every dish. Additionally, recipes for mayonnaise and bread, which traditionally use other oils, are being shared with olive oil as a healthier alternative. There is also a growing trend of drizzling olive oil, salt, and pepper on ice cream, and pairing raw fish with olive oil-based sauces instead of traditional condiments such as chojang or soy sauce. Demand for olive oil continues to expand in these diverse ways.

Trends in major food search volumes analyzed by AhaTrend based on Naver search volume. AhaTrend

As interest in olive oil grows, efforts to find healthier and higher-quality olive oil are also reflected in search data. Searches for "extra virgin olive oil," considered the highest grade, reached 78,000 per month, while searches for "cold-pressed olive oil," valued for preserving flavor and aroma, have increased more than twelvefold compared to two years ago.

AhaTrend analyzed, "Unlike many fleeting food trends, the sustained upward trajectory over a long period suggests that the increase in consumer searches for olive oil is likely to continue for some time."