The Smoke Point Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs we mentioned earlier, extra virgin olive oil is known for having quite a low smoke point. But what is a smoke point, and what is EVOO\u2019s smoke point, specifically?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To answer your first question, an oil\u2019s smoke point refers to the temperature at which the oil basically begins to burn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The smoke point is important information to have before you get cooking, because it\u2019s the temperature at which your oil\u2019s flavor and aroma will change (and not in a good way). Compared to other oils, EVOO\u2019s smoke point is not very high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, the exact smoke point may vary depending on which brand you buy, but it tends to sit between 320 degrees Fahrenheit and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you compare the smoke point of EVOO to other olive oils, you\u2019ll see the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virgin olive oil, for example, will only reach its smoke point at 410 to 470 degrees Fahrenheit. For context, virgin olive oil is slightly lower quality than extra virgin, but better quality than standard olive oil (which has a smoke point of around 470 degrees).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember, just because extra virgin olive oil hasn\u2019t yet reached its smoke point doesn\u2019t mean it won\u2019t be losing its flavor. Extra virgin olive oil is a sensitive substance, especially when it comes to light and heat, so heating it just a little can impact its flavor significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How To Choose Extra Virgin Olive Oil?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhen you buy extra virgin olive oil, you\u2019ll be paying more than you would for a bottle of regular olive oil, or even virgin olive oil. This is to be expected since the main thing that differentiates EVOO from its counterparts is the fact that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Check The Age<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAge is one of the most important factors in choosing extra virgin olive oil. Unlike wine, this is not because olive oil gets better with age. In fact, quite the opposite – it gets worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re looking for the best quality olive oil, you should look for a date that indicates it\u2019s fresh. Now, of course, \u2018fresh\u2019 is a pretty broad term, and you definitely don\u2019t need to try and find a bottle of EVOO that was harvested last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You probably wouldn\u2019t have much luck with that. Instead, just focus on finding a bottle of extra virgin olive oil harvested some time within the past 2 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Don\u2019t Worry About <\/strong>The Color<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nA lot of people will spend a significant amount of time comparing different olive oil colors and judging them based on this factor. However, we\u2019re here to tell you that you do not need to be a color specialist to choose a good bottle of olive oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The color of your EVOO really doesn\u2019t matter. Delicious, authentic extra virgin olive oil can be very pale yellow, any shade of green, or even a dark color approaching mustard. None of this means it will taste or smell a certain way, and it\u2019s not an indicator of quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Prioritize Dark Bottles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe\u2019ve already established that the color of your extra virgin olive oil doesn\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, just to add another reason why you shouldn\u2019t spend half an hour comparing different bottles of EVOO at the store based on color, you shouldn\u2019t be able to see the color clearly through the bottle. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because ideally, extra virgin olive oil should be stored in a dark container. Many of us are used to seeing extra virgin olive oil sold in clear plastic or glass containers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, as we mentioned earlier, exposure to heat and light can compromise the flavor and aroma of extra virgin olive oil. If you want your EVOO to last as long as possible and still taste great, you should try and find some in a darkly-colored bottle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Buy From An Olive Estate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMaximizing your chances of getting the best quality extra virgin olive oil often means buying directly from an olive estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on where you live, this can be tricky, and it\u2019s certainly more effort (and usually more expensive) than just grabbing a bottle from the grocery store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you can\u2019t buy directly from an estate, the next best thing is to look for an estate-labeled bottle of extra virgin olive oil. This is like a stamp of approval that guarantees quality. While we\u2019re on the subject of buying from olive estates, avoid extra virgin olive oil produced in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We don\u2019t say this because EVOO from Italy is bad by any means. It\u2019s just that the \u2018Product of Italy\u2019 label doesn\u2019t actually mean what you think it does most of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can usually buy from a local estate at much more reasonable prices, and Italian olive oil isn\u2019t always actually made in Italy. Often, the olives are shipped from elsewhere in the Mediterranean and only processed on Italian soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Do Not Refrigerate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt may seem logical to refrigerate something when you want to keep it fresh, but when it comes to extra virgin olive oil, you want to choose a dark storage space that stays at room temperature pretty consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cold refrigerator will produce condensation, which can also negatively impact the flavor of the oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nExtra virgin olive oil, or EVOO, is different from other kinds of olive oil because it\u2019s unrefined, which means it\u2019s not as processed. It also goes through more quality testing than other olive oils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Extra virgin olive oil has many health benefits, from lowering the risk of heart disease to improving skin conditions. It\u2019s also very flavorful. This oil is best added to cold dishes like salads or sandwiches, or hot dishes after the cooking process because it has a low smoke point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FDA recommends getting up to 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in your food every day, so start adding this oil to your cooking today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nCan I Make Roast Potatoes Using Extra Virgin Olive Oil?<\/strong><\/strong> Roasting potatoes in extra virgin olive oil might sound like a great way to take your potatoes to the next level. However, the reality is that doing this will involve taking the olive oil beyond its smoke point, so it won\u2019t taste as good. We recommend using regular olive oil, or virgin olive oil, rather than extra virgin. These alternatives have lower smoke points and aren\u2019t as expensive, so if the flavor is compromised, it\u2019s not as much of a waste.<\/p> <\/div>
Is It Okay To Have Extra Virgin Olive Oil Every Day?<\/strong><\/strong> Yes, it is healthy to have one to two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil every day. Although olive oil does contain a lot of calories, it\u2019s also full of healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants.<\/p> <\/div>
Does Olive Oil Help Your Digestive System?<\/strong><\/strong> Another benefit of olive oil, including EVOO, is that it can help to clean your bowels. Drinking a tablespoon of olive oil first thing in the morning, before you have eaten anything, can encourage bowel movements because it acts like a lubricant. If you are having digestive issues, speak to your doctor about incorporating olive oil into your diet.<\/p> <\/div>
What Happens If You Consume Too Much Olive Oil?<\/strong><\/strong> Over-consuming any kind of olive oil can lead to side effects and have a negative impact on your health. If you consume too much extra virgin olive oil, you could end up with skin issues, including acne and blackheads. Additionally, while the monounsaturated fats in olive oil can have many benefits for your heart, too much of the saturated and trans fats in the oil can cause heart conditions and other diseases. Despite the anti-inflammatory properties of the antioxidants in the oil, drinking too much can result in inflammation and digestive problems.<\/p> <\/div>
Is It Healthier To Cook With Extra Virgin Olive Oil?<\/strong><\/strong> Extra virgin olive oil may be healthier to cook with than other types of olive oil because it\u2019s unrefined and minimally processed. However, extra virgin olive oil also has a lower smoke point, so it\u2019s easier to ruin its flavor and aroma by cooking it. Therefore, whether you like to cook with extra virgin olive oil will depend on your priorities. It\u2019s the healthier choice, but it won\u2019t taste as good, which would be a shame given how much more expensive it is.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n