Buying a really good quality olive oil is really worth it. The flavor is much better, more complex than cheap ones. It is also much better for you as the good stuff is processed out of cheap oils. These days it is easy to find small batch extra virgin olive oil and totally worth the effort and slightly higher price.
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.
Small batch varieties are usually made from hand picked olives which are carefully sorted. The best ones are carefully pressed to extract the purest form of oil. It is left unfiltered and unrefined retaining all the vitamins, minerals and aromatic polyphenols. Larger scale production is mechanized and often destroys the natural characteristics of the fruit. Factories also use solvents to extract every droplet from the fruit and residues of these chemicals can be found in the oil.
Small batch producers are the ones who take the most care over making this oil. They typically hand pick the fruit and select the best ones for the extra virgin oil. They are then pressed to extract the pure juices. Large producers use a mechanized process which is not nearly so gentle and harvesting with machines means rotten fruit can be mixed in producing rancid oils.
There are several ways to check whether an oil you have purchased is pure. Firstly, you can check the smell. Pour a couple of tablespoons of oil into a glass and swirl it around with your hand over the top. Then take your hand away and inhale the aromas. They should be grassy, like olives and fruit. Any scents of vinegar or cardboard indicate adulterated oil.
Smell is the first indicator of purity. It should be grassy, fruity and smell like olives. If there are aromas of vinegar or cardboard this indicates a rancid oil which is most likely adulterated. Many sellers will let customers have a taste. When doing this think of wine tasting. Roll it around your mouth and then swallow. A pure oil will give a bitter taste in the back of the throat. This is from the polyphenols which are super healthy and add complexity to the flavor.
It has been prized for its life giving properties for thousands of years. The Romans were extremely particular about their oil and demanded that it be labelled clearly with the producer, date and type of olive so that they knew exactly what they were consuming. They knew what scientists are now showing, that is is excellent for preserving the heart and brain.
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.
Small batch varieties are usually made from hand picked olives which are carefully sorted. The best ones are carefully pressed to extract the purest form of oil. It is left unfiltered and unrefined retaining all the vitamins, minerals and aromatic polyphenols. Larger scale production is mechanized and often destroys the natural characteristics of the fruit. Factories also use solvents to extract every droplet from the fruit and residues of these chemicals can be found in the oil.
Small batch producers are the ones who take the most care over making this oil. They typically hand pick the fruit and select the best ones for the extra virgin oil. They are then pressed to extract the pure juices. Large producers use a mechanized process which is not nearly so gentle and harvesting with machines means rotten fruit can be mixed in producing rancid oils.
There are several ways to check whether an oil you have purchased is pure. Firstly, you can check the smell. Pour a couple of tablespoons of oil into a glass and swirl it around with your hand over the top. Then take your hand away and inhale the aromas. They should be grassy, like olives and fruit. Any scents of vinegar or cardboard indicate adulterated oil.
Smell is the first indicator of purity. It should be grassy, fruity and smell like olives. If there are aromas of vinegar or cardboard this indicates a rancid oil which is most likely adulterated. Many sellers will let customers have a taste. When doing this think of wine tasting. Roll it around your mouth and then swallow. A pure oil will give a bitter taste in the back of the throat. This is from the polyphenols which are super healthy and add complexity to the flavor.
It has been prized for its life giving properties for thousands of years. The Romans were extremely particular about their oil and demanded that it be labelled clearly with the producer, date and type of olive so that they knew exactly what they were consuming. They knew what scientists are now showing, that is is excellent for preserving the heart and brain.
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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