Details About Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil

By Francis Riggs


Olives are enjoyed by many. Perhaps more popular than the olive itself is the fat or oil that can be extracted from it and used in many applications. The extraction may be carried out in different ways but often it is done by pressing the whole olives. The oil can be used in cooking, as well as oil lamps, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and soaps. Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil is widely available and considered a top-quality choice when it comes to EVOO.

Cold pressed is used to describe the process of oil retrieval. This approach means that the oil was not heated higher than a certain temperature. The low temp means that nutrients in the oil were preserved and faced less degradation during extraction.

An oil that is labeled extra virgin is one of the highest types available. Virgin is used to indicate that olives have been pressed in order to extract oil. That is, no chemicals or heat were used during the process. The final result is an oil that is unrefined and pure. Virgin olive oil contains the most polyphenols, which are antioxidants that are said to improve overall health and wellness.

Extra virgin labeling has strict requirements. It is checked for defects such as winey, muddy, fusty, rancid or musty sediment. Defects occur for varying reasons. Some of the most common reasons for these defects is a harvest that is inadequate and the olives used being battered or infected.

A lot of benefits may come from cold-pressed olive oil. Many use it while cooking. It is considered one of the best healthy fats available. EVOO is filled with antioxidants and fatty acids that can improve function of the immune system, and overall well-being. Benefits may be seen on external and internal levels.

Although this may be used in cold and hot dishes, people need to make sure they cook with it appropriately. That is, EVOO should never be used at a high heat because it has a low smoke point. This means that when it is cooked to high, it is broken down on a chemical level. The oil then begins to lose its benefits and releases toxic chemicals through the smoke. Essentially, it becomes more harmful than good when put on high heat.

Olive oils vary in many respects. They can be made with different olives. Each kind may allow for a different shelf life, flavor and texture. The oils can also be used in different ways. Sometimes they are best for indirect consumption, such is the case with domestic cooking or catering. Other times they are best for direct human consumption, which is the case for all that are used for culinary purposes. There are even industrial applications, such as engineering uses and as animal feed.

The oil is manufactured in many regions of the world. The top producing areas are Greece, Italy and Spain. This also happens to be where EVOO is popularly used, especially in the culinary world. Arizona, California and Texas are America regions where olive oil is commonly produced. Ultimately, this is used in many places around the globe because of its positive applications and overall versatility.




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