{"id":11526,"date":"2023-05-30T15:04:51","date_gmt":"2023-05-30T15:04:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foodchamps.org\/?p=11526"},"modified":"2023-06-04T16:27:59","modified_gmt":"2023-06-04T16:27:59","slug":"about-extra-virgin-olive-oil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foodchamps.org\/about-extra-virgin-olive-oil\/","title":{"rendered":"All About Extra Virgin Olive Oil In Food"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Extra virgin olive oil is an excellent source of flavor for many common dishes, from sandwiches and salads to pizzas.<\/p>\n\n\n

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So many recipes call for extra virgin olive oil, but many of us are simply adding it to our food without knowing much about it (other than that it tastes amazing, obviously).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019d like to know more about extra virgin olive oil, just keep reading! We\u2019re going to discuss what extra virgin olive oil actually is, how it\u2019s different from your average olive oil, and how you can use it in your day-to-day cooking!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You might sometimes hear extra virgin olive oil referred to as \u2018EVOO\u2019. This is simply an abbreviation because, let\u2019s face it, \u2018extra virgin olive oil\u2019 can be a bit of a mouthful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019d like to thank Rachel Ray for coining this term, and we\u2019re going to be using it throughout this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case you\u2019re wondering how extra virgin olive oil is different from regular olive oil, we should start by mentioning that there are several different varieties of olive oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extra virgin olive oil, specifically, is a type of unrefined olive oil. It\u2019s cold-pressed, and in order to receive the label \u2018extra virgin\u2019, it needs to go through several tests and meet all the high standards associated with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people are skeptical about the difference between extra virgin olive oil and other types of olive oil: \u2018Is it all just a clever marketing ploy? Am I about to pay an extra few dollars for oil that\u2019s basically the same as the bottle next to it?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news (if you like to buy extra olive oil, anyway) is that there is a distinct difference in the flavor of extra virgin compared to other kinds of olive oil. Compared to refined olive oil, it tastes somewhat fruity, which means its flavor is more palatable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health Benefits Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many people avoid cooking with oils because they worry about the calories and fats in these products. However, there are plenty of benefits to cooking with extra virgin olive oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first and most important benefit is that while olive oil (including extra virgin) does contain a lot of fat, most of these are actually healthy fats. While 14% of calories from extra virgin olive oil does come from saturated fat, 73% come from monounsaturated fat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These fats, which include omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are beneficial for your heart. They may even reduce your risk of developing heart disease if you consume a couple of tablespoons of olive oil each day, according to the FDS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scientific studies have suggested that extra virgin olive oil (and other forms of olive oil) can have positive effects if you suffer from high blood pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can even help to balance your cholesterol, lowering levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and boosting high-density lipoprotein levels (HDL). Extra virgin olive oil may also help you to maintain healthy skin because of the high levels of vitamin E in the oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another great thing about extra virgin olive oil is that it\u2019s rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants have anti-inflammatory effects, which means they can help reduce your risk of certain cancers (in the case of olive oil, skin cancer, specifically).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even more studies have pointed to EVOO as a factor in reducing the risk of strokes, cognitive decline, and mental illness, including anxiety and depression. Bear in mind that in many of these studies, it\u2019s not clear whether the correlation equals causation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there is enough evidence to suggest that consuming olive oil, including extra virgin, in moderation will do more good than harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Uses Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil In Cooking<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sauces And Dressings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most common foods you\u2019ll find extra virgin olive oil used in include sauces and dressings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because EVOO is more flavorful and smooth than other kinds of olive oil, it\u2019s more likely to be added to components of dishes that are specifically designed to add flavor and texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most popular sauces made with EVOO is aioli, but you can also find extra virgin olive oil in various dressings based around vinegar and oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only that, but when you mix extra virgin olive oil with ingredients like garlic, cheese, and basil, it makes for a delicious pasta sauce. The best part? You don\u2019t need to add anything at all to extra virgin olive oil to enjoy it as a sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many areas of the world, dipping bread and other foods into plain EVOO is commonplace. If you haven\u2019t tried it before, you definitely should!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Make Sauce With Extra Virgin Olive Oil?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Want to know how to make an incredible sauce using extra virgin olive oil? There are many ways to approach this, but one of the easiest and tastiest methods is to simply infuse the oil with flavorful ingredients. All you need is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n