Nutrition
Krystina Claire
Weekly Tip - Olive oil what to look for when buying it
on
February 08, 2022
Olive is made from the you guessed it….olives. When buying your olive oil you might be overwhelmed by the variety available. Have a read below to find out the difference between extra virgin olive oil and regular olive oil so that you can make the best decision for you and your family.
Extra virgin olive oil - this type of unrefined olive oil is produced by cold pressing the olives and is chemical free. It’s the least processed form of olive oil and contains good amounts of vitamin E, vitamin K and lots of antioxidants. Extra virgin olive oil has some impressive from heart health, brain function and protecting against certain types of cancer. You can cook with it at moderate temperatures, and is delicious as salad dressing.
Olive oil - This is the cheaper version of olive oil and is often found to be a blend of virgin olive oil and refined olive oil (which is made using heat and sometimes chemicals) It’s lighter in colour and not as tasty as extra virgin olive oil. It has a higher smoke point too, making it a better option if cooking at high heat. It’s not as high in nutrients as extra virgin olive oil though as these nutrients are lost during the processing.
There are many flavoured olive oils available too, but I would always suggest going for an extra virgin unflavoured option whilst it is more expensive you know that you will be getting all the health benefits.