People left stunned as they realise what the olive oil bottle tab is really for

If you've ever used olive oil while preparing a meal and ever wondered what the little tab on the inside of the bottle is, then you are definitely not alone.

Many people discard this little ring tab and toss it in the bin as they buy a new bottle - but there is actually a purpose for it, reports the Mirror. People who have now realised the use of this little bottle table are hailing it at a "game-changer" for cooking.

You may have accidentally spilled some olive oil while cooking which can be a pain - especially with the price of the cooking liquid going up by the minute it seems on supermarket shelves.

However, this can be easily avoided by using the olive oil lid - and pull tab - properly. A common misconception is that the tab on the bottle is merely an indicator of whether the bottle has already been opened.

But one video has shared the real reason behind this tab, which was posted by @foodies on

Rather than discarding this tab, the person inverts it and reinserts it into the neck of the plastic oil bottle, creating small openings around the edge.

This will allow you to control how much oil you are pouring out. The 'Today Years Old'

reposted this video with the caption, "Game changer".

One person commented: "Are you kidding me?!"

Another said: "Manufacturers should be telling consumers how to use their products in the first place."

A third penned: "Sometimes I believe great engineering just goes unnoticed. Half our problems are already solved, we just don't know that they have been solved."

So how much oil should you be using in your recipes according to the experts? Food Network has advised using just enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of your pan, typically one to two tablespoons, rather than an excessive pour.

The NHS also said that a modest amount of fat in a balanced diet is important.

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