Olive oil is one of the most common edible products and is generally known as a Mediterranean diet. It is healthy and pleasing to taste. It can be drizzled over pasta, roasted vegetables, and several other diets. It can also be used for marinades and salad dressings. Olive oil is popular in every area, as several users use them for different things. This is why it is important to understand its brand options while you are grocery shopping.
It can be easy for you to buy your favorite olive oil if you know certain things that will help you get the best. Each bottle of extra virgin olive oil has pointers that will either make you decide to buy or withdraw from buying the oil. The following are a few things you should know, before buying an extra olive virgin oil:
What Is an Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
An extra virgin olive oil is a higher olive oil grade that is not only useful but healthy for all users. You should not just buy any olive oil for your salad dressings and cooking. Instead, you want to go for extra virgin olive oil. Therefore, while buying, look at the label to know if it is the quality of oil you should buy. For example, when the olive oil is labeled as "first-cold-pressed" it simply means the oil was extracted without any form of heating. However, according to an evaluation by the International Olive Council Trade, you cannot label an oil as “extra virgin” except if it is first cold-pressed.
The reason why extra virgin olive oil is more special than others is that it is free of acid. This is oleic acid, and it is about 0.80 grams for every 100 grams. This means that oleic acid develops and causes the olive to rot. This process takes place as soon as the olive has been harvested. This is why olives must be crushed immediately after harvest, and processed into oil.
If they are crushed immediately after harvest, the oleic acid will be reduced. Extra virgin olive oil is the best because it is produced from fresh olives and without rot. Aside from passing the acidic test, another interesting thing to know about extra virgin olive oil is that the term "extra" on the bottle label, is an indicator that it has been tested and approved by a panel of judges.
What Should You Know Before Buying an Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
1. Olive Oil Labeled "Extra Virgin" is the Best Option to Purchase
It is recommended that oil labeled as extra-virgin is healthier for consumption and other uses. However, this does not mean that it is a perfect oil, but, it will not be among the list of bad oils. Other oil bottles labeled as "Light Olive Oil", or plainly as “Olive Oil” are pure oils just like vegetable oils. Although they are not bad oils, they may not have the same amount of quality as Extra virgin olive oil.
2. Read the label.
You have to read the label on the bottle, no matter what language it has been written in. Whether, French, Italian or Spanish, you will recognize a few things, like the harvest date. Many producers put their use-by-date on the olive virgin oil bottle. However, some of these dates can be deceptive as they are counted 18 months from the date of bottling when it should be from the day of harvest.
3. Do Not Buy Oil Contained in Clear Glass Bottles
The oil contained in clear glass bottles is often beautiful and you can be lured by how pretty they look. But, olive oil and light are not good together, since the Olive oil will lose a great amount of their condiment and aroma. Virgin olive oils contained in opaque tins or dark glass bottles are the best options since they do not get affected by light.
4. Extra-virgin Olive Oil Will Not Improve With Age, The Fresher the Better!
You should understand that your olive virgin oil will not improve with age, which is why you should go for fresh ones just to stay healthy. It is best to consume extra virgin olive oil that has just been produced. This is because the fresher your oil, the better the taste, the aroma, and the flavor. Fresh oils normally possess unexpectedly aggressive condiments of pungency and bitterness that overwhelms the taste and aroma of the oil fruit. Taste specialists believe that these flavor challenges are indicators of high quality and they are proven by nutritionists, as healthful polyphenols.
6. Light and Heat is An Enemy to Your Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Since olive oil can have its flavor reduced by exposure to light, after purchasing your virgin olive oil, preserve it in a cool, and dark place. Heat is also bad for your olive oil so be careful not to store it in a heated pantry.
7. Find Out if You Can Use Your Oil Liberally
Good olive oil should be used in many ways, and the quality must be enjoyed. For example, If your virgin olive oil is good for potato baking, and salad dressings, you should go for more to enjoy all your healthy meals. Extra virgin olive oil can be drizzled on grilled bread, Telicherry perry, and fleur de sel.
8. Purchase Your Oil from Reliable Retailers
The best people to buy from are your trusted retailers. They know how to uphold the quality of their product, and many such retailers are from online stores.
Conclusion
For every consumable product you wish to buy, you should have enough information before making your best choice. There may be several types of olive oil, but virgin olive oil contains delicious qualities that will improve some of your meals, while also keeping you healthy. Before you buy your oil, check the label, avoid oil contained in clear bottles, and know that your oil is best consumed fresh.