Best Olive Oil Choices

By Luis J. Farmer


Grinding whole olives through mechanical or chemical means is a widely exercised procedure to obtain a fatty liquid called olive oil. It can be obtained from a tree crop found mainly in the Mediterranean Basin, and has been used worldwide for cooking, cosmetic ingredient, beauty products, pharmaceuticals, and as a fuel. Olive oil is the most nutritious and healthiest liquid that is made up of fats in the market today. As the demand for this oil increases, countries struggle to compete in producing the best olive oil in the world.

Countries Italy, Spain, and Greece are the top competitors for producing olive oil. Of the total amount of olive oil produced worldwide, 75% of it is supplied by these three leading countries. There is also a mass production of newer varieties of olive oil due to cultivation of tree crops of different types and strains. Each country has their own variety; Lianolia, Picholine, Galega, Leccino, Koroneiki, Picual, and Arbequina are some of these. These varieties of olive oils vary in their flavor and shelf-life, and just a few of the most famous varieties in the world.

The composition of the olive oil, different varieties of olives to make a distinct flavor, and age of the fruit or the maturity used for oil making are the criteria used to grade olive oil. The different grades of olive oil are the following:

The most flavorful of all varieties and the highest grade of olive oil is the Extra Virgin Oil. Without any addition of solvents or additives, this grade is produced solely through mechanical means. A fruity flavor, a bitter taste in the tongue, and a pungent sensation in the mouth are the specifications needed to be met for it to be graded as extra virgin oil. 0.8 grams for every 100 grams is the upper limit of oleic acid requirement for this grade.

Another grade of olive oils with an oleic acid content of 2 grams is the Virgin olive oil. On the other hand, Ordinary virgin oil has an oleic acid content that should not exceed 3.3 grams.

Olive oil is the term used to describe the blend or combination of virgin oil and refined olive oil. It has a maximum oleic acid amount of 1 gram.

Refinement methods can be used to further purify virgin olive oils and obtain a refined olive oil. Refined olive oils had an oleic acid content that should not exceed 0.3 grams. Furthermore, the refinement procedure should be carefully done so it won't affect the chemical structure and grade of the olive oil.

Olive-pomace oil is obtained when olives or olive pomace are treated with solvents or additives to fit for human consumption. There are other refining methods that can be done to further enhance composition of oil either for consumption or technical use.

In choosing among the different choices for the best olive oil, the purpose and composition of the different varieties and grade should be considered. Consumers depend on the flavor that fits their taste in choosing the best oil for them.




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