Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Which Is the Best for Cooking?
Posted by Ruth Mercurio, Professional Olive Oil & Wine Taster on 25th Jul 2022
Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Which Is the Best for Cooking?
Cooking is a precious art if you like to be
healthy, but sometimes we are assailed by doubts about which olive oil is
preferable for cooking. What would you say about arbequina olive oil, extra virgin
olive oil, or hojiblanca oil? You will be interested to know that
California
olive oil
has become one of the star products of our gastronomy,
being the basis of a
Mediterranean
diet
thanks mainly to its health benefits.
In this blog, we will give you more details about
the different olive oils that exist, and you will know which is the best for
cooking. Please keep reading to find out because we will give you some
recommendations to use your extra virgin olive oil (
EVOO). In addition, you will be
surprised to know that you will have top-quality products delivered to your
doorstep at We Olive, as it is the most searched
olive oil store near
me
.
Types of olive oil
All olive oils have their benefits, but
there is one that enhances all its
properties.
Consider the following and see which one is the best:
●
Olive oil. This type of oil is not 100% pure because it is combined with
virgin olive oil and oils refined through chemical processes, so its acidity is
1.5%.
●
Virgin olive oil. Although it is similar to extra virgin olive oil, its acidity is
higher. In addition, it contains fewer organic compounds and natural
antioxidants.
●
Extra virgin olive oil. Our Californian version is undoubtedly the most authentic and pure
olive oil because it is made following a rigorous process. These freshly
harvested seasonal olives go through a cold extraction mechanism. Its acidity
is 0,8%, and the lower the acidity, the higher the quality of the extra virgin
olive oil.
●
Orujo oil. It is made by mixing virgin olive oil with other oils obtained by a
chemical process, that is, from the pulp and bone of the olive. So, its acidity
level is a maximum of 1,5%.
●
Flavored olive
oil
. It is
interesting that Arbequina olive oil, Hojiblanca, Koroneiki olive oil, Picual,
etc., are made exclusively from a variety to achieve unique aromas and flavors.
They are usually fruity, bitter, spicy, and sweet, excellent for vinaigrettes,
fruit salads, sauces, gazpachos, tuna dressings, fish, and pasta. Thus, they
create a combination blend with flavors including
olive
oil and lemon
, blood orange
olive oil
, basil olive oil,
garlic
olive oil
, olive and fig, and many more.
Which oil
is healthier for frying?
Some may
conclude it is avocado oil or sunflower oil. However, it is best to try to fry with extra virgin
olive oil when possible, especially the one made in California, as it is the most natural and
provides essential properties to food. Still, be careful not to overheat evoo
oil when frying the food..
The ideal temperature is below 190° C or 374° F, so try not do not let it burn or start to smoke. This way, the
properties will not be lost, nor will trans fats harmful to the body be
generated.
Why is it better to use extra virgin olive oil in your
kitchen?
Extra virgin olive oil is prepared to
withstand high temperatures and not degenerate. In contrast, other oils are
more likely to form polymers, similar to trans fats. Let's look at two
additional benefits of using
California
olive oil
:
Monounsaturated
fats
Generally, oils at high temperatures are
oxidized by contact with air, producing free radicals. However, extra virgin
olive oil barely generates harmful aldehydes since it contains many
monounsaturated fats that restrict this process.
Authentic and certified olive oil is better
When you cook with authentic EVOO and certified olive oil, you gain a lot
because its properties and natural antioxidants remain intact. In addition, if
you cook with genuine extra virgin olive oil, you will enjoy each dish to the fullest and experience notable
benefits in your
health.
EVOO's nutritional value
Another exciting aspect of
EVOO is that it contains a high
percentage of oleic acid, which helps prevent chronic diseases such as cancer,
diabetes, hypertension, and other health effects. Likewise, it is one of the
pillars of the Mediterranean diet. Its color, aroma, flavor, and texture make
it ideal for tasting dishes.
It is no wonder that the best chefs
worldwide specialize in this delicious product. Therefore, if you want to have
an excellent diet and a healthy life, it is essential that you include
California
olive oil
from We Olive in your diet, so you will be giving your
life that elemental twist that you need.
On our official We Olive store website, you can
learn about the different presentations of
EVOO. Choose the one that best suits your
needs and preferences.
Recommendations before using EVOO
Before using extra virgin olive oil in your
kitchen, we invite you to take the following advice seriously:
●
Always use
authentic extra virgin olive oil.
Never mix it with other oils, neither cold nor when
cooking, and use it below 190° C or 374° F, since it is the
temperature that extra virgin oil can withstand.
● Avoid burning or smoking. This will not generate peroxides harmful to health.
● Make sure foods are dry. That is when frying. If the food contains water, it favors the decomposition of the oil.
● Do not reuse more than three times. Try not to use the oil more than three times because each time you use it, the smoke point decreases, and the oil loses its properties. Therefore, you must filter after each use.
● Consume raw extra virgin olive oil . Just as you can use it for cooking, take the opportunity to consume it raw. That will provide your body with superb nutrition.
Shop for an authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil today!
Now that you know the different
classifications of olive oil and which one is indicated when
cooking, you will undoubtedly be able to choose at your next feast. We invite
you to carry out the recommendations mentioned here so that your
California
olive oil
retains the essential nutrients and thus colossally
complements your dishes.
On our We Olive website, you can search for
olive oil stores
near
me. Shop now and start enjoying the authentic liquid
gold
of EVOO. Feel free to contact us today and send us a message at info@weolive.com.