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Olive oil offers incredible benefits - when chosen wisely. Learn all about olive oil from production to usage with this comprehensive guide. Discover how to pick the healthiest olive oil and easily control portions.
What is Olive Oil?
Olive oil comes from pressing olives, the fatty fruit behind this Mediterranean staple. Cold pressing without chemicals retains olive oil's nutritious compounds. Extra virgin olive oil boasts the richest flavor and antioxidants.
Why Use Olive Oil?
The monounsaturated fats in olive oil promote heart health by controlling LDL cholesterol and blood pressure. Olive oil also increases calcium absorption for stronger bones and contains vitamin E to nourish skin and hair. Its versatility makes it perfect for dressings, dips, sautéing, and more.
Choosing the Best Olive Oil
Select olive oil from top producers like Italy, Spain, and Greece for premium quality. Check for an acidity below 0.8 and higher unsaturated fat content between 55-83%. A smooth, slightly peppery taste with fruity notes also signals freshness. Avoid olive oil with a greasy mouthfeel or strange scents.
Tips for Storing
Store olive oil away from light and heat, as exposure damages the compounds. Dispense from a dark glass bottle with a tight seal. Refrigeration helps prolong freshness once opened. So you can choose an oil jug with the right capacity according to the number of people in your family.
Using Olive Oil
Serving Methods:
Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over dips, dressings, breads and finished dishes. Save regular olive oil for light sautéing. Deep frying damages olive oil's nutrients, so opt for heat-resistant avocado oil instead.
Other Uses:
When washing hair, add a few drops of olive oil in the water basin, can make the hair become smoother and brighter, olive oil is rich in vitamin E can prevent the hair from yellowing and split ends.
When in the bath can also add drops of olive oil, can help you eliminate fatigue, long-term persistence can make the skin moisturized and elastic.
Controlling Portions
The WHO recommends limiting oil to 25g daily, so invest in a scale-marked dispenser. Chinagama's range of spouted cruets with measurements lets you precisely pour olive oil while elevating your kitchen's style.
If you want to know more, you can read How to Choose the Perfect Oil Dispenser for Healthy Cooking for more details.
Click here for more kitchen tips.
Post time: Nov-09-2023