Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The king of Olive Oils

There are too many varieties of Olive Oil out there. So what is Extra virgin Olive Oil and why should you use it?

Extra virgin olive oil is made purely by crushing olives and extracting the juice. It’s simply the juice of fresh, healthy olives which contains, more than any other grade, the health-promoting nutrients that olive oil is famous for.

Extra-virgin olive oil is an unrefined oil and the purest olive oil you can buy. There are very specific standards oil has to meet in order to labeled as "extra-virgin." Because of the way extra-virgin olive oil is made, it retains the taste of the olive and has a lower level of oleic acid than other olive oil varieties. It also contains the majority of the natural vitamins and minerals found in olives.

Extra-virgin olive oil is considered an unrefined oil since it's not treated with chemicals or altered by temperature. What distinguishes it from other olive oils is the low level of oleic acid and the absence of sensory flaws. It contains no more than 1% oleic acid and has a deep gold colour, with a distinct flavour and a peppery finish.

The production process of extra virgin olive oil is not an easy one. A producer must use fresh olives in excellent condition and monitor carefully every step of the process.

Also, the storage conditions should be carefully selected, with ideal temperature, humid-free environment and away from sun. However, even in perfect storage conditions, the oil will degrade over time, so it's important to enjoy it within its two-year shelf life.

While you can cook with extra-virgin olive oil, it does have a lower smoke point than many other oils, which means it burns at a lower temperature. That is the reason why it is not recommended for frying. For frying, prefer other oils such as vegetable oil, sunflower oil and pomace oil. Save the pricey good quality stuff for dipping bread, dressing, dips, cold dishes, and use the less expensive stuff for cooking and baking.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Nutrition Facts

You can order your Greek Extra virgin olive oil, olives and roasted peppers online at:
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