The Ultimate Guide to Choose, Store, and Use Olive Oil
When shopping for cooking oil, the majority of people search at olive oils. It has monounsaturated fats that forms the base of healthy heart by Mediterranean diet. However, it is rare to know properly what kind of olive oil to choose and how to use it properly it to cook.
Olive oil is abundant of unsaturated fats, polyphenols and oleic acid. That’s why there are a growing number of people who consume olive oil on an empty stomach.
In this article, we will see which olive oil is the best to use, how to use it properly, and how to store it to make more practical use of nutritious olive oil.
1.Is Pure olive oil the best quality?
The word “PURE” is maybe the most significant word in the world of food. If you see the word “PURE” is written on the bottle, you cannot deny that it sounds healthier. However Pure olive oil is merely a way of saying that the oil does not contain any other oils or ingredients. Pure olive oil is an inferior grade compared to “EXTRA VIRGIN” oil.
Olive oil is classified according to the order of extra virgin, virgin, and pure based on taste, aroma, acidity, as well as the amount of milking. The Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the top oil of the highest quality.
Extra virgin olive oil is considered the healthiest because it contains the highest number of polyphenols. These are natural organic compounds found in olives that serve as antioxidants in the body. Additionally extra-virgin olive oil is known to have stronger flavor than virgin or pure olive oil.
Pure olive oil has less flavor than extra virgin olive oil. But the fuming point is 226 degrees, so it is a good oil for frying at high temperatures.
2.Has “Light” olive oil less fat and calories?
The calories of olive oil are typically between 850 and 990 kcal for 100 grams. Usually, when the word “Light” is on the wrapper, it translates to the product is low in calories and fat. But when it comes to olive oil, things are somewhat different.
The term Light within olive oil doesn’t mean calories or fats however it is simply a reference to “taste”. All kinds of olive oil are made up of the same amount in calories as well as fat. The only difference is that the light olive oil doesn’t have a lower fat content. It just has less flavor and lower cost in comparison to other types.
3.Can’t you cook with extra virgin olive oil?
Some people believe that olive oil made from extra virgin olives isn’t suitable to cook with. Most people use it for an ingredient in sauces or salad dressings. Actually, Extra Virgin Olive Oil is distinguished by its lower level of fuming compared to other cooking oils. It is, however, safe enough for cooking at home.
However extra-virgin olive oil is more flavorful than other varieties in olive oil. If you prefer inodorous oils, it is better to choose light or pure olive oil or labelled just olive oil.
4.Does cooking with olive oil degrade the nutritional value in the oil?
The majority of consumers know that extra virgin oils are not meant to be heated. But a study from the University of Barcelona in Spain discovered that olive oil improves its polyphenolic composition when it is heated.
Therefore, heating olive oil with a gas stove or electric stove will not erase the benefits of olive oil. Even though the taste of weak acids might disappear, most of polyphenols found naturally in olive oil can be consumed as is after heating.
5.Are the majority of olive oils in markets fake?
Some people say that the cheap olive oil sold in the store is not actually olive oil, but another type of oil. They say that purchasing genuine olive oil is extremely expensive. So it is best to purchase the most expensive product feasible.
However, only three of the totals of the 88 products of olive oil didn’t satisfy the purity standards, according to the US FDA’s review on Extra Virgin olive oil. So, if the label doesn’t state that it has been blended with different oils, then both pure olive oil as well as Extra Virgin Olive Oil are certified to be of high the purity and quality.
6.Tips to Buy Olive Oil
If you’re looking to purchase olive oil to use it efficiently then choose an opaque bottle, if it is possible. It is the premium oil that is in a dark bottle because oxidation can occur faster when exposed to UV light.
7.How do you preserve olive oil?
If you intend to store olive oil for a long period and preserve its distinctive scent, it is better to store it in a dark glass bottle. If you have one in transparent bottle, it’s best to wrap the bottle in aluminum foil or a black plastic bag and then store the bottle in a secure location.
Olive oil is temperature sensitive, which is why it is important not to store it in excessively low or high temperatures. It is not advisable to store it at a high temperature of more than 30 degrees. Hence, it is best not to store it near the stove on gas or in an area in which hot water flows.
After the olive oil has been opened, it is recommended to be used it in the next 3 to 6 months.
We have learned everything from the benefits of olive oil to its kind, the best way to select the best one, how to store it, and the best way to make use of it. Refer to the information above to assist you in purchasing olive oil.
