Olive oil is one of our powerhouse foods. It is full of healthy fats, polyphenols, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Want to help protect yourself from heart disease? Have a couple spoonful’s a day.
So, what should you look for in olive oil and how should you use it? You want to buy extra virgin olive oil. This means it has been pressed one time without heat or chemicals to extract the oil. You want to use it cold. In other words, don’t heat it. Olive oil has a low smoke point of around 350 degrees. If heated too high, the fat molecules break down. This changes the organic chemistry of olive oil and makes it release free radicals and other toxic substances. Therefore, use your olive oil in dressings or pour it over meat or vegetables. You can use it in sauces or gravies as long as it is slow-cooked over low heat. You also want to be picky about the brand of olive oil you buy. Unfortunately, not all olive oils are pure. Some olive oils have been mixed with other lesser-quality oils. Clues that your olive oil is pure would be dark green in color with a taste strong of olives. It should also give you a peppery or bitter taste in the back of your throat. Look for brands made in California which are more likely to be authentic.
Some brands to consider are:
California Olive Ranch
Kirkland Organic
Corto Olive
McEvoy Ranch Organic
Cobram Estate
Bariani Olive Oil
The Furies Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil