Extra virgin olive oil

Its exceptional quality and richness of flavour come from a production process based solely on mechanical methods of processing fresh healthy olives. The key fact is that no chemicals or heat treatments are used in production, preserving the natural flavours, aromas, and nutritional value of olives.

The pure juice of the olive fruit contains everything that preserves it from losing quality and spoiling, making it the only known juice in nature that is preserved without any additives and physical-chemical processes.

 

What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil and How to Recognize It?

There is a range of different-priced extra virgin olive oils on the market. Unfortunately, many of them are not true extra virgin olive oils. According to international standards, in addition to important chemical parameters, extra virgin olive oil must not have any defects in aroma or taste.

So, how to recognize genuine extra virgin olive oil? There are several signs to pay attention to.  First, the colour of the oil is not important. It can vary from bright green to green-yellow, depending on the time of harvesting, olive variety, and other factors.

 

The scent of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The scent is a crucial indicator – genuine extra virgin olive oil has a expressive fruity scent. If you are overwhelmed by beautiful green notes of freshly mowed grass, fresh apples, or another “green” scent, you are on the right track. What should not be detected even in traces is vinegary smell – the smell of spoiled wine or vinegar, and rancidity – the smell of rancid oil.

 

The taste of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Taste is the next important aspect. True extra virgin olive oil has a complex and rich taste consisting of bitterness and pungency. These can vary from mild to extremely strong pungent and bitter notes, depending on the olive variety and the moment of harvesting the fruits from the tree.

It is precisely the pungency and bitterness that indicate high-quality extra virgin olive oil containing a high content of polyphenols.

Recognizing quality oil is very important, and you can learn it through guided tastings at Oleum Histriae.

 

The Use of Olive Oil in Culinary Art

When it comes to cooking with olive oil, quality is important. Extra virgin olive oil retains its natural flavours and antioxidants. Its delicate scent and distinctive taste elevate both simple and more complex dishes.

We will combine various high-quality extra virgin olive oils with dishes primarily based on their strength. For fish dishes, we will use olive oils from milder olive varieties such as pendolino, maurino, or blend oils that were created by blending mild varieties.

For example, for tomato salads, we can use slightly spicier oils, and for meat or heavily seasoned foods, we can use more bitter and spicy oils. In fact, olive oils complement food excellently, and in taste, we don’t feel their bitterness or pungency separately, but rather a complete and complex taste of the overall dish.

The high smoke point of olive oil makes it suitable for various cooking methods, from gently frying seafood to roasting meats. It adds a juicy texture and a touch of fruitiness that enriches the overall dining experience. Additionally, replacing butter or other oils with olive oil can contribute to a healthier diet.

 

Health Benefits

Extra virgin olive oil not only enriches the flavors of dishes but also has significant health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, including unsaturated fatty acids, phytochemicals, vitamin E, and beta-carotene.

Thanks to such a balanced composition, olive oil has a protective role in fighting heart disease, maintains the elasticity of blood vessels, positively affects blood pressure, protects the stomach and liver, and generally improves metabolic functions in the body.

Regular consumption of olive oil, about three tablespoons per day, positively affects the reduction of osteoporosis problems, promoting calcium absorption and bone remineralization.

The ingredients of olive oil are also essential in the process of combating skin aging. It is excellent not only for direct application to the skin but also as an ingredient in creams and body scrubs and treatments for hair and nail care.

As we can see, extra virgin olive oil is not just an ingredient but a true treasure trove of flavor and well-being. Its presence in gastronomy brings complexity and depth to dishes while contributing to our health.

It is important to seek certified producers and products with quality labels to ensure that we enjoy genuine extra virgin olive oil that offers the best that olives can provide.

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