How to Choose the Best Olive Oil and What to Inspect
Choosing the best olive oil can be tricky. With so many different brands and types on the market, it's hard to know where to start. But don't worry—we're here to help. In this blog post, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about olive oil, from its history and production process to what to pay attention to when inspecting it. By the end, you'll be an olive oil expert!
The History of Olive Oil
Olive oil has been used for centuries, dating back to ancient Greece. It was even used in religious ceremonies! The Greeks thought of olive oil as a gift from the gods and believed that it had magical powers. Today, Greek people still love olive oil—in fact, they consume more olive oil per person than any other nationality.
How Olive Oil is Made
Olive oil is made from, you guessed it, olives! The olives are first crushed into a paste, and then they are mixed with water and centrifuged to extract the oil. The type of olive oil that you buy (extra virgin, virgin, or refined) depends on how much processing the olives undergo. Extra virgin olive oil is made from pure, cold-pressed olives—it's the highest quality olive oil you can buy. Virgin olive oil is also made from pure, cold-pressed olives, but it doesn't meet all of the strict requirements that extra virgin olive oils do. Finally, refined olive oils are made from a blend of cold-pressed and processed olives. They have a neutral flavor and a higher smoke point than extra virgin or virgin oils, making them ideal for cooking.
What to Inspect When Buying Olive Oil
Now that you know a little bit more about olive oil, let's talk about what you should pay attention to when you're buying it. First, check the label for these three things:
- The type of olive oil (extra virgin, virgin, refined)
- The country of origin
- The harvest date
These three factors will tell you a lot about the quality of the olive oil. Then, once you've chosen a bottle of olive oil, give it a smell—you should be able to identify fruity, grassy, or peppery aromas. And finally, take a small sip of the olive oil—it should be smooth and not too bitter. If it passes all of these tests, then congratulations—you've found yourself a high-quality bottle of olive oil!
Now that you know how to choose the best olive oil and what to inspect when buying it, you're ready to become an expert in this kitchen staple.
The History of Olive Oil
Olive oil has been used for centuries, dating back to ancient Greece. It was even used in religious ceremonies! The Greeks thought of olive oil as a gift from the gods and believed that it had magical powers. Today, Greek people still love olive oil—in fact, they consume more olive oil per person than any other nationality.
How Olive Oil is Made
Olive oil is made from, you guessed it, olives! The olives are first crushed into a paste, and then they are mixed with water and centrifuged to extract the oil. The type of olive oil that you buy (extra virgin, virgin, or refined) depends on how much processing the olives undergo. Extra virgin olive oil is made from pure, cold-pressed olives—it's the highest quality olive oil you can buy. Virgin olive oil is also made from pure, cold-pressed olives, but it doesn't meet all of the strict requirements that extra virgin olive oils do. Finally, refined olive oils are made from a blend of cold-pressed and processed olives. They have a neutral flavor and a higher smoke point than extra virgin or virgin oils, making them ideal for cooking.
What to Inspect When Buying Olive Oil
Now that you know a little bit more about olive oil, let's talk about what you should pay attention to when you're buying it. First, check the label for these three things:
- The type of olive oil (extra virgin, virgin, refined)
- The country of origin
- The harvest date
These three factors will tell you a lot about the quality of the olive oil. Then, once you've chosen a bottle of olive oil, give it a smell—you should be able to identify fruity, grassy, or peppery aromas. And finally, take a small sip of the olive oil—it should be smooth and not too bitter. If it passes all of these tests, then congratulations—you've found yourself a high-quality bottle of olive oil!
Now that you know how to choose the best olive oil and what to inspect when buying it, you're ready to become an expert in this kitchen staple.