Olive oil finds its place in a wide range from the foods on our table to health products. The fact that it acts as a shield against many diseases makes olive oil one of the indispensable nutrients for our health. Living in a very rich geography in terms of olives also provides a great advantage to benefit from olive oil. However, in order to maximize this benefit, it is necessary to follow some rules while buying, storing and consuming olive oil.
The acidity level determines the quality
The indispensable part of our home and culture, olive oil is natural, first-class, organic natural, early harvest, cold-pressed There are many varieties such as refined, riviera. The things you need to know in order to make the right choice are actually quite simple.
Olive oil is a food rich in fatty acid called oleic acid. There are many forms of oleic acid in oil, but the less its free form, the better the taste and quality of olive oil. The acidity level, which is the leading olive oil quality criteria, is determined by the free oleic acid form.
Do not choose Riviera olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil, which has no defects in taste and smell, has an acidity of 0.8 percent, from food It is known as the best quality version of its class that can be added to all foods, from salads.
Refined olive oil has an acidity of 0.3%. It is obtained by refining the crude oil of olives with different methods without spoiling. It is preferred for frying rather than meals.
Riviera olive oil is obtained by mixing refined olive oil and different olive oils. In other words, it is not a single kind of pure product, but a mixture. The acidity level is 1.5% on average. It can be added to the meals according to the preferences of the people.
The amount of oleic acid in olive oil is not at a level that can be perceived or distinguished by the palate. However, it is important to consider the information on the label when choosing a quality oil. It is necessary to pay attention to other information such as production year, filling year, expiry date on the label.
Information about the method obtained is also on the label. Here, our preference should be cold pressed olive oil. Color is not a criterion for olive oil. All kinds of olive oil may have different colors depending on the harvest or processing or depending on the olive variety. There is detailed information on the label that it does not contain additives or preservatives, it will be useful to pay attention to these when purchasing.
Early harvest has the highest nutritive value
Another variety that should be kept a little further apart from this classification is ‘early harvest’ olive oil. It is made by harvesting the olives, usually in October, just before they get their dark color. In early harvests, the amount of olives and the amount of oil are not directly proportional. More olives are used for the same amount of oil. Therefore, the cost is higher than all other varieties. However, its nutritional value is much higher than other oils.
Keep in dark glass bottles
There are some rules that must be followed when choosing the right olive oil and when it comes to the kitchen. It is important to keep olive oil away from light, moisture and odor as much as possible and to stabilize the storage temperature values.
Olive oil should be best stored in dark glass bottles or stainless chrome nickel cans. The storage temperature can be around 14-22 degrees depending on the environment we keep. It should not be forgotten that if olive oil is in contact with air for a long time, oxidation begins, that is, the oil becomes bitter and deteriorates. Therefore, the covers must be closed.
The most important actor of the Mediterranean type of diet
Olive oil, which is a friend of the immune system with its rich content, is also very rich in polyphenol compounds. It also contains tocopherol (vitamin E). It has been proven that the strong antioxidant activities of olive oils prevent the formation of free radicals created in the body by air pollution, environmental pollution, stress, smoking, malnutrition and many effects in daily life and destroy these formations. Olive oil is one of the most powerful agents of Mediterranean diet recommendations, as it is effective in cardiovascular diseases. For this reason, olive oil should have an important place in kitchens.
Consume under control
In addition to all these, the consumption amount of olive oil, which is considered harmless due to its herbal nature, should still be controlled. It is useful to make daily consumption under a certain limit and to use spoon measurements from time to time instead of eye decision. An individual without health problems can consume an average of 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil per day. However, when evaluating this amount, it is necessary to take into account the different oils used and the already existing oils in the content of the foods.
