We know that having a good olive oil in your house is a pretty big deal. It has great benefits for your health and can even help you with your beauty rituals. But what should you choose: green olive oil or extra virgin olive oil? We will discuss these aspects later on.
Choosing a great olive oil is made following certain parameters. It has to be high-quality, have its unique taste and smell and make sure it’s made only from olives (some may contain other extracts and ingredients).
I’ve recently come across an interesting questions. What’s the difference between green olive oil and extra virgin olive oil? It seems that there is one and knowing it can help you choose the right product.
Green vs extra virgin olive oil
When we speak about green products, we can refer to two things:
- items which are green (color)
- products which are environmentally-friendly (they cause little to no harm upon our ecosystems and environment)
So when we think of green olive oil, which of the two options is the one that fits? Surprisingly, the first one. Green is used only to describe the color of the olive oil. This brings up another question. Is the color enough to determine whether you are buying a quality product?
Let’s look at the color of extra virgin olive oil. Generally, it varies from yellow to green. The color is given by multiple factors such as the olive type and cultivation period. It may also come from other ingredients such as olive leaves. When the olives are pressed, some producers may add them to give the final product a rich green color. The chlorophyll from the leaves will make a green olive oil. Yet, there is a problem with this action. Leaves may spoil the taste, as they can make the olive more bitter. And when this happens we are not talking about extra virgin olive oil anymore.
Color is not a guarantee that you are buying a quality product. In the USA, there is a misconception that olive oil which is not green may be diluted. Producers know about this and they add green dye to make the product a little more colorful. This totally changes the situation. We are not buying extra virgin olive oil and we are also exposed to artificial ingredients.
How we find it in stores makes it hard to judge olive oil just by color. As it’s usually found in dark-glass bottles to maintain quality and to remain well on the shelf, it’s difficult to identify the color of the oil.
How to choose an extra virgin olive oil
We have made it clear that color is not the most accurate metric when choosing a good olive oil. So at what should we look when we are at the supermarket searching for this product? There are a few other details.
1. It should be cold pressed
The cold pressed process maintains the unique olive flavors, nutrients and vitamins. It means that during the oil extraction process, heat is not used. The temperature should not exceed 77°F.
2. Pay attention to the origin
You may know pretty well that Greece, Spain and Italy are known for their olive oil. However, it’s essential for the product to be completely produced just in one country. This means harvested, pressed and packaged.
3. Look at the ‘expiring’ date
Olive oil needs to be consumed until a specific date. Once it exceeds it, it can become rancid, making it hard and unpleasant to consume.
Extra virgin olive oil for cooking
You may easily recognize when you are eating a food cooked or prepared with olive oil. It has that unique string, yet fresh taste. It can be used in preparing hot meals or fresh salads and sandwiches. Either way, it’s a healthy ingredient.
Olive oil is rich in:
- monounsaturated fats
- vitamin K
- vitamin E
- omega-6
Including it into your diet and eating it regularly can help you reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, blood clotting, protects you against inflammations and lowers blood pressure. It can even be used to prevent and fight cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Extra virgin olive oil for your skin
Extra virgin olive oil is a real life savior in the beauty industry and it can do miracles for your skin. As it is rich in antioxidants (vitamin E), it moisturizes your skin and can act as an anti-aging product. It’s greatly used in body lotions and anti-aging creams.
Besides, olive oil can replace some of your daily products. It’s a great makeup remover and an excellent ingredient for making home-made scrubs. You can mix it with honey, sugar or sea salt and obtain a great scrub for your face, lips and body.
Olive oil is a must have product. Remember to always pay attention when choosing it to make sure you are buying an extra virgin one.