Olives are a unique food. One of only a few which contain all the macro nutrients and lots of micro nutrients. This is why we hear so much about the health benefits of olives and their oil. The oil has been highly valued for thousands of years and is now an important commodity all over the world. This inevitably leads to vast differences in quality and sometimes fraud. Buying small batch extra virgin olive oil ensures higher quality, better taste and a healthier product.
There are several types of olive oil on the market. Extra virgin is probably the most famous & the best for you as it is the least processed. Then there is virgin which is similar but not held to such rigorous standards. Olive oil and the light version are refined and have had most of the nutrients taken out. They can be useful for cooking as they have a higher smoke point.
For using on salads, in dips, purees and as a dressing on its own extra virgin is the only way to go. It has a much more complex taste due to high levels of vitamins and minerals and polyphenols which give those wonderful bitter grassy notes. It has a lower smoke point than other vegetable oils and should not be heated very much.
Recent research has shown an alarming rise in the adulteration of oils. This is done in order to make more money from a harvest. The olive oil is mixed with other, cheaper oils such as canola, peanut and soy. This is potentially dangerous to those with food allergies. It is also unfair to consumers who think they are purchasing a healthy product. Cheap vegetable oils are inferior in their nutritional content and unstable when cooked. They have the potential to go rancid easily and cause liver damage.
Small producers who care about their product and image are much less likely to do this. Many enter their oils into competitions so checking out the winners is a good way to find quality oil. The down side to this is that once a producer has achieved an excellent reputation their produce is worth more. Learning to identify pure oils for yourself can be a good way to get decent ones while spending less.
Identifying the real stuff is not so hard and it is worth knowing how to do it. Many of us have been eating impure versions for years so may not be sure what the real ones taste like. The best way to know is to check the smell and then taste it. You should look for aromas of grass, fruity notes and of course olives when sniffing the oil. To taste it take about a tablespoon into your mouth, roll it round and then swallow it. As it passes the back of your throat you should get a bitter taste. This is from the polyphenols which give rich flavors and are also full of antioxidants so great for health.
The benefits of the Mediterranean diet are now widely promoted, particularly in relation to heart health. Olives and their delicious oil are an intrinsic part of that lifestyle. The olive tree has a mythic status in the region and for good reason. The people know that it gives them life and helps them stay healthy through to old age. Cheap, adulterated oils will not give these advantages, in fact they are probably harmful.
Buying cheap olive oil is tempting but seeking out small batch products is more beneficial for your health and taste buds. They cost more because they are more pure and better quality. Extra virgin is not only delicious it is a health food so it is worth the extra dollars to be sure you get the right product.
There are several types of olive oil on the market. Extra virgin is probably the most famous & the best for you as it is the least processed. Then there is virgin which is similar but not held to such rigorous standards. Olive oil and the light version are refined and have had most of the nutrients taken out. They can be useful for cooking as they have a higher smoke point.
For using on salads, in dips, purees and as a dressing on its own extra virgin is the only way to go. It has a much more complex taste due to high levels of vitamins and minerals and polyphenols which give those wonderful bitter grassy notes. It has a lower smoke point than other vegetable oils and should not be heated very much.
Recent research has shown an alarming rise in the adulteration of oils. This is done in order to make more money from a harvest. The olive oil is mixed with other, cheaper oils such as canola, peanut and soy. This is potentially dangerous to those with food allergies. It is also unfair to consumers who think they are purchasing a healthy product. Cheap vegetable oils are inferior in their nutritional content and unstable when cooked. They have the potential to go rancid easily and cause liver damage.
Small producers who care about their product and image are much less likely to do this. Many enter their oils into competitions so checking out the winners is a good way to find quality oil. The down side to this is that once a producer has achieved an excellent reputation their produce is worth more. Learning to identify pure oils for yourself can be a good way to get decent ones while spending less.
Identifying the real stuff is not so hard and it is worth knowing how to do it. Many of us have been eating impure versions for years so may not be sure what the real ones taste like. The best way to know is to check the smell and then taste it. You should look for aromas of grass, fruity notes and of course olives when sniffing the oil. To taste it take about a tablespoon into your mouth, roll it round and then swallow it. As it passes the back of your throat you should get a bitter taste. This is from the polyphenols which give rich flavors and are also full of antioxidants so great for health.
The benefits of the Mediterranean diet are now widely promoted, particularly in relation to heart health. Olives and their delicious oil are an intrinsic part of that lifestyle. The olive tree has a mythic status in the region and for good reason. The people know that it gives them life and helps them stay healthy through to old age. Cheap, adulterated oils will not give these advantages, in fact they are probably harmful.
Buying cheap olive oil is tempting but seeking out small batch products is more beneficial for your health and taste buds. They cost more because they are more pure and better quality. Extra virgin is not only delicious it is a health food so it is worth the extra dollars to be sure you get the right product.
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