You have heard of Olive Oil, but how much do you know about it?
The Benefits of Olive Oil
- Olive oil is rich in vitamins A, D, E, K, and contains antioxidants with the anti-aging effect.
- Olive oil contains - monounsaturated fatty acids up to 77%, can effectively lower levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) in blood, and to prevent blood vessel blockage and heart disease effectively.
- Olive oil can help increase levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) in blood, HDL can protect blood vessels effectively.
- Olive oil helps to retain good cholesterol while lowering the accumulation of bad cholesterol, especially good for the heart blood vessels.
Olive Oil Grading
According to the standards set by International Olive Oil Council (IOOC), olive oil can be divided into the following categories:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) refers to the oil squeezed from the olives in the first time, during which no heating or any chemical process are used to extract the fruit that harvested by hand, the whole process, from harvesting the fruit to squeezing oil, are taken in no more than 24 hours; fatty acid degree is less than one percent in this oil, with strong olive fruit taste and flavor. It is suitable for mixing salad, frying fish in low temperature, dipping bread ... and so on. Examples such as Italian Bertolli extra virgin olive oil, Olivital extra-virgin olive oil. ... Etc.
Pure olive oil (Pure Olive Oil / Extra Light / Classico) is refined from pomace after the first pressing of olives, and the olive oil is squeezed after heating, the color is light with a lighter taste. The degree of fatty acids is less than 1.5% in this oil, which can be used for general fried, boiled purposes. Examples such as Italian Bertolli Extra Light, Bertolli Classico .... etc in our stores.
Olive oil (Pomace Oil) is a mixture of refined olive oil and extra virgin olive oil, that is the cheapest kind of olive oil, but it is definitely a hundred percent made of olives, no rich olive flavor but it is most suitable for Chinese people for deep frying purposes. Examples such as Italian Gondola 100% Pomace Oil, Monte Pollino 100% Pomace Olive Oil .... And so on.
How to Properly Store Olive Oil
It should be stored in a sealed container, and keep in a cool and dark place, where sunlight cannot reach at normal room temperature. If stored in a cold place or the weather changes cold, condensation may occur and olive oil has cloudy phenomenon. That is a natural reaction, it does not affect the quality and taste of the oil. The oil will turn clear when it is put back to normal room temperature (20 to 24 degrees Celsius degrees).
Because of the antioxidant ingredients inside the olive oil, if store properly, its shelf life can be up to 15 to 24 months.
Why are There Different Colors of Extra-virgin Olive Oil?
Except olive tree varieties, geographical environment, climate and agricultural technology will affect the taste of olive oil, harvesting time is also an important factor, as this will have different maturity olives, resulting in different flavors and different colors of olive oil.
Oil produced early harvested olive would be more green, overripe olives will produce more olive oil, but the taste will be lighter.
The best olive oil is from precocious olives, i.e. the colour of the olive ranging from 1/3 to 2/3 in black, that can produce the best quality oil.
