How to choose Olive Oil

Olive oil is used in almost all every type of cooking, but what is not known is the differences between types of olive oils and why premium oils are woth the expense.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Olive oil comes from pressing olives. It is traditionally used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, soaps, and even fuel for some lamps. 95% for all of the olives used for olive oil are grown in the Mediterranean region. In olive oil producing areas the local production is considered the finest.

2. Due to European Union laws the origin of the olives must be on the label. There is an International Olive Oil Council that sets regulations for olive oil production and release.

3. Virgin Olive oil means that no chemicals were used in producing the olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil comes from cold pressing the olives and is considered to have the best taste. Refined Olive oil is chemically treated to neutralize strong flavors. This oil is considered to be lower quality than any virgin oils. Pure olive oil or just olive oil is a combination of refined olive oil and a virgin or extra-virgin olive oil.

4. Pomace olive oil is oil that is extracted from the pomace left over from pressed olives. This is mainly achieved by solvent sand heat. Olive-pomance oil cannot be called olive oil, but must contain pomace in the title. Olive-pomace oil that can be consumed is blended with pure olive oil. Lampate olive oil cannot be consumed but is used as fuel for lamps and is industrial grade.

Tips & Warnings

• I fyou enjoy food and particularly wine tastings, try an olive oil tasting. They are a lot of fun and you pick up the different characteristics that make one olive oil different from the next. Particularly olive oil from different regions.

[Kyle10jeep]

on 8/5/2008 I highly recommend Sanso Olive Oil. The Culinary Institute of America had it as their featured olive oil. It's simply awesome. Not that expensive, but has an amazing taste. If you love to cook, give it a try.