The benefits of the Mediterranean diet are talked about a lot these days. The people of the region live longer, healthier lives than lots of us & doctors put it down to their food. Their diet is rich in seafood, vegetables and olive oil all of which contain healthy fats and fatty acids which prevent heart disease and protect the brain. Unfortunately all oils are not created equal and it is worth the money to buy the more expensive small batch extra virgin olive oil.
The best olive oil is the first press of carefully selected, decent fruit which should be left in its natural state. This is what you get when buying extra virgin from small batches. The producers take great care to make an artisan product which retains its flavor and health giving properties.
Small batch varieties are usually made from hand picked olives which are carefully sorted. The best ones are carefully pressed to extract the purest form of oil. It is left unfiltered and unrefined retaining all the vitamins, minerals and aromatic polyphenols. Larger scale production is mechanized and often destroys the natural characteristics of the fruit. Factories also use solvents to extract every droplet from the fruit and residues of these chemicals can be found in the oil.
There is also the problem of producers who tamper with their product and water it down with other, cheaper oils. Some research has found high levels of sunflower, peanut and soy oils in what is supposed to be olive oil. This is an issue for individuals who have nut allergies. It is also a problem for other consumers who want to buy a healthy product as cheaper oils are not nearly so beneficial and are sometimes harmful.
There are several ways to check whether an oil you have purchased is pure. Firstly, you can check the smell. Pour a couple of tablespoons of oil into a glass and swirl it around with your hand over the top. Then take your hand away and inhale the aromas. They should be grassy, like olives and fruit. Any scents of vinegar or cardboard indicate adulterated oil.
Identifying the real stuff is not so hard and it is worth knowing how to do it. Many of us have been eating impure versions for years so may not be sure what the real ones taste like. The best way to know is to check the smell and then taste it. You should look for aromas of grass, fruity notes and of course olives when sniffing the oil. To taste it take about a tablespoon into your mouth, roll it round and then swallow it. As it passes the back of your throat you should get a bitter taste. This is from the polyphenols which give rich flavors and are also full of antioxidants so great for health.
The fatty acids in olive oil are what provide the benefits to health. They protect the heart and are thought to lower blood pressure. The polyphenols are a great antioxidant and are associated with lower rates of cancer in the Mediterranean.
Quality olive oil is a fantastic ingredient to have on hand to make tasty meals. Added to dips, salads and even just poured over bread it is a complex and delicious food. It is worth paying more for proper oil with all its health giving nutrients and wonderful aromas.
The best olive oil is the first press of carefully selected, decent fruit which should be left in its natural state. This is what you get when buying extra virgin from small batches. The producers take great care to make an artisan product which retains its flavor and health giving properties.
Small batch varieties are usually made from hand picked olives which are carefully sorted. The best ones are carefully pressed to extract the purest form of oil. It is left unfiltered and unrefined retaining all the vitamins, minerals and aromatic polyphenols. Larger scale production is mechanized and often destroys the natural characteristics of the fruit. Factories also use solvents to extract every droplet from the fruit and residues of these chemicals can be found in the oil.
There is also the problem of producers who tamper with their product and water it down with other, cheaper oils. Some research has found high levels of sunflower, peanut and soy oils in what is supposed to be olive oil. This is an issue for individuals who have nut allergies. It is also a problem for other consumers who want to buy a healthy product as cheaper oils are not nearly so beneficial and are sometimes harmful.
There are several ways to check whether an oil you have purchased is pure. Firstly, you can check the smell. Pour a couple of tablespoons of oil into a glass and swirl it around with your hand over the top. Then take your hand away and inhale the aromas. They should be grassy, like olives and fruit. Any scents of vinegar or cardboard indicate adulterated oil.
Identifying the real stuff is not so hard and it is worth knowing how to do it. Many of us have been eating impure versions for years so may not be sure what the real ones taste like. The best way to know is to check the smell and then taste it. You should look for aromas of grass, fruity notes and of course olives when sniffing the oil. To taste it take about a tablespoon into your mouth, roll it round and then swallow it. As it passes the back of your throat you should get a bitter taste. This is from the polyphenols which give rich flavors and are also full of antioxidants so great for health.
The fatty acids in olive oil are what provide the benefits to health. They protect the heart and are thought to lower blood pressure. The polyphenols are a great antioxidant and are associated with lower rates of cancer in the Mediterranean.
Quality olive oil is a fantastic ingredient to have on hand to make tasty meals. Added to dips, salads and even just poured over bread it is a complex and delicious food. It is worth paying more for proper oil with all its health giving nutrients and wonderful aromas.
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