Olive oil, being one of the important elements of a healthy diet, brings great benefits to the human body. So, it helps lower blood cholesterol , preventing heart attacks, has a positive effect on the musculoskeletal system, skin, hair and more. And since not everyone knows how to choose olive oil correctly, we will consider this issue in detail.
First of all, it is recommended to study the packaging and the label. At the same time, bottling and production of the product should be carried out in one country, this will indicate its high quality. It must be remembered that over time, olive oil may lose its high quality, so you need to purchase the product that was recently released.
The container should be darkened and hermetically sealed, since sunlight helps accelerate the oxidation process, which, in turn, spoils the color and taste of the product.
Before choosing olive oil, it is recommended to study the percentage of its acidity. Ideally, the product should have low indicators (0.8 percent), and when these indicators are reduced to 0.5 percent, the oil is considered healing.
Color does not affect the taste and quality of the product, but depends on the variety and maturity of the olives. Most often, a mixture of oils extracted from olives of different ripeness levels is used.
To know how to choose olive oil, you need to familiarize yourself with its grade. So, branded oils are elite and are made from raw materials grown in one particular area. Single-grade oils are produced from raw materials of the same variety, while blend oils are produced from various varieties, in order to obtain a certain taste and aroma.
To date, there are refined oils produced from the collection of various vegetable oils, including olive oil, and unrefined (opaque), which are the result of a small filtration. Each of these types has its own unique qualities and properties. In order to find the best olive oil, you can and should experiment, stopping your choice on the brand and manufacturer that are most suitable.
When choosing a product, it is recommended to pay attention to its taste and purpose. So, for the preparation of cold dishes, marinades and salads, it is recommended to take unrefined cold-pressed unrefined oil , which is of the highest quality. It contains about eighty percent of the nutrients, has a strong odor and a dark green color.
Before choosing olive oil for frying and main dishes, you should pay attention to its labeling. Such a product should be refined, second extraction, with a neutral taste and a long shelf life.
In the case of cooking hot dishes, a mixture of unrefined and refined oils is used.
Today, more than ninety percent of the production of olive oil falls on the Mediterranean countries (Spain, Tunisia, Italy, Greece). Greece produces a high-quality product, eighty percent of which is first-pressed oil. Spanish oil is distinguished by the use of three or more varieties of olives to achieve a balanced aroma and taste.
Thus, knowing how to choose olive oil, you can cook great dishes that will differ not only in good taste, but also in healthy properties. And to check the quality of the purchased product, just put it in a cold place. If it thickens and white flakes appear, then its quality is at a high level. However, you should always remember that you should not leave olive oil for a long time in the cold, as it loses its properties and taste.