Olive Oil Archives - Page 5 of 6 - D'Olivo Tasting Bar

April 16, 2021April 16, 2021

Fun and Creative Uses for Olive Oil

Olive oil is well known for its many and varied health benefits, however olive oil is extremely versatile and has many other uses around your house. Here’s a quick list of some additional ways to utilize your olive oil.

Makeup Remover –

yes, it’s true that olive oil is safe for use on the skin and hair. If you’re looking for ways to incorporate natural products into your daily routine, using olive oil as a makeup remover is a great place to start.

Treat Cradle Cap –

Olive oil is a wonderful scalp treatment for people of any age, and since it’s all natural it is also safe to use on even the smallest of children. If your baby is suffering from cradle cap, simply rub a little olive oil onto the scalp, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently rub off the flakes.

Gum Remover –

did you recently step in gum, ruining your favorite pair of shoes? Do you have a child who has managed to get a piece of gum stuck in their hair? Don’t fear – you can use your handy olive oil from the cabinet. Simply soak a cloth in olive oil, wrap it around the hair or place it on the shoe and let it sit. The oil will begin to break down the gum and it should slide right off during removal.

Nourish Skin –

Olive oil is a great treatment for overly dry skin. While you can use plain olive oil for this purpose, we’d recommend shopping our selection of Olive Oil Skincare Products. Made with 100% saponified Extra Virgin Olive Oil. From hand creams to shampoo and conditioner we’ve got you covered. (https://dolivotastingbar.com/shop/)

Cuticle Treatment –

Are you suffering from cracked cuticles and looking for a quick treatment. Look no further than your cupboard. Rub some olive oil onto your cuticles and let it absorb. You can also add olive oil to warm water and allow your hands and feet to soak in the water.

Eliminate Hair Frizz –

winter can be a tough time for hair. It’s not uncommon during this time of year for hair to become dry and frizzy. If you are dealing with this we’d suggest using just a few drops of olive oil. Either use your finger and simply apply to the ends of your hair, or rub some onto a comb and run that through your hair to help reduce frizz.

Upgrade Bath Time –

as we mentioned above, olive oil is a great treatment for the skin. If you want to make bath time extra fancy, try adding olive oil to the mix. Your skin will thank you afterwards.

Cooking and Baking –

While all of the above are great ways to utilize olive oil in your daily life, our preferred use is still in the kitchen. Get inspired to cook with our selection of Ultra Premium olive oils and vinegars by looking through our online recipes we’ve got everything from soups and salads to sweet treats and entrees.

March 16, 2021April 16, 2021

Understanding Olive Oil Appellation

Extra virgin olive oil, a staple in kitchen’s all over the world, has seen a rapid rise in popularity over the last several decades. This is due in large part to the documented health benefits and overall delicious flavor of this particular cooking fat. However, the growth in popularity has also given rise to the production of lower quality and fraudulent olive oils.

With so many varieties of olive oil available on the market it is common for people to start sifting through information to find the best quality product in their price range. While there are several factors that contribute to finding a high quality olive oil such as freshness, production method, taste, and storage as we highlight in our blog How To Choose A High Quality Olive Oil we wanted to use this blog to touch on one of the most commonly used factors of differentiation – appellation.

What is Appellation?

Appellation is defined as the legally defined and protected geographical location where various food crops are grown. While commonly heard around the Walla Walla region in relation to wine, it is also a term used to designate the geographical regions where olive oils are produced.

Where Are Olives Grown?

Similar to wine grapes, olive oils are grown all over the world. Regions in Argentina, Australia, California, Greece, Spain, Tunisia, New Zealand, Chile, Morocco, Portugal and more are producing unique and high-quality olive oils annually. Just as with wines, the region where olives are grown will create unique flavor profiles that can be tasted in the oils themselves.

Does Appellation Matter?

While appellation has long been considered a differentiating factor in quality and value as it relates to olive oil, with Italy being both the largest importer and exporter of olive oil, many today consider appellation to be less important than other factors in determining the quality of the oil. The time that elapses between the harvesting of the olives and when they are processed into olive oil, as well as the temperature the oil is processed at, as well as numerous other factors are more likely to impact taste and quality.

Where Do Our Olive Oils Come From?

At D’Olivo we are proud to source our olive oils directly from Veronica Foods. Veronica Foods owns and operates their own olive grove and oil mill in Tunisia, where they produce over one million gallons of the finest olive oil on the market each year.

Olives and oils are sourced from all over the world, alternating between the northern and southern hemispheres helping to ensure the freshness of the product. In addition, all olive oils from Veronica Foods carry their ultra-premium designation which shows that each oil has met the 33 internal parameters set by Veronica Foods to ensure quality.

If you haven’t been in to D’Olivo to experience our olive oil and balsamic vinegar bar we encourage you to stop in during normal business hours to taste the difference and gather useful information about how to best use our products. We’re open Monday-Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM.

February 23, 2021

Myths About Olive Oil

As olive oil has become more popular over the years, there’s been an increase in the spreading of false information as well. At D’Olivo we believe in providing our customers with all of the relevant information that they need to make a great decision about purchases. To help with this, we’re highlighting and dispelling some of the top myths about olive oil.

Myth #1 – You Can’t Cook with Olive Oil at a High Heat

There are many who claim that olive oil isn’t a great choice for those who want to cook something at a high heat, and this simply isn’t true. In fact, one of the benefits of extra virgin olive oil is that it has a relatively high smoke point. Smoke point is the temperature at which an oil or fat begins to emit smoke, and the point at which degradation or the loss of nutrients can occur. Learn more about smoke point here.

If you visit us at D’Olivo we cover the smoke point of our oils as part of each tasting experience to help you make the best selection for your cooking needs.

Myth #2 – Where the Olive Oil Comes from is Most Important

While it’s important to pay attention to the label of your olive oil for a number of reasons, the production area of your olive oil isn’t a clear indication that it’s a more superior oil. In fact, the true test of the olive oils quality comes down to the production level. How a producer sources, handles, and packages the oil will play a very large role in ensuring quality.

We are proud to source all of our oils at D’Olivo from Veronica Foods who takes the utmost care in all areas of production. Olives used in production are sourced from a variety of locations to ensure the freshest fruit is used, depending on the time of year. In addition, each oil must meet 33 internal parameters to earn the Ultra Premium (UP) designation that all of our oils carry.

Myth #3 – The Quality of Olive Oil Can Be Seen in the Color

Another falsehood that many believe is that you’ll be able to tell the quality of the oil based on its color. The color of an oil is determined by many factors during production and a high quality oil can appear dark green, lighter yellow, and many that are freshly produced may even appear cloudy.

We recommend that you look for other factors to determine the quality of your oil including freshness, taste, how it’s packaged and stored, and we always recommend purchasing from a trusted retailer.

Myth #4 – Olive Oil is like Wine – Better With Age

While wine is one of those products that improves with age, olive oil is not. It’s actually extremely important to the quality of the oil that it be fresh. When purchasing an oil you want to pay attention to the harvest date on the label. Similarly, once you’ve opened your bottle of oil make sure that you use it up in a reasonable amount of time to ensure it doesn’t go rancid.

Myth #5 – All Olive Oil is Created Equal

While it would be great if this were true, it just simply isn’t the case. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the top of the line when it comes to oils. Made from the first pressing of olives, and done at temperatures below 85 degrees (cold-pressing) these oils maintain all of the health benefits of the olives themselves.

Other olive oils on the market that do not carry the extra virgin designation are more likely to be altered or mixed with a lower quality oil like canola or vegetable.

November 4, 2020

How To Use Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is fast approaching (I know we can’t believe it either) and while this year is likely to look much different for many families, there’s no reason why your menu can’t still be absolutely top notch.

While Thanksgiving brings with it lots of traditional recipes from generations past, we always recommend getting a little creative with your dishes. Here are some great ways that you can add in high quality olive oils and balsamic vinegars that will definitely impress family and friends.

Start with the Appetizers

If you’re the type of host that likes to extend the meal by offering appetizers before the meal that can be a great opportunity to utilize your favorite oil or vinegar. From crostini to caprese salads there are lots of delicious options.

Use It on the Turkey

I’m sure everyone has heard that age old saying “but turkey is so dry.” Well not to fear, you can work to eliminate this by basting, rubbing, or even injecting delicious sauces onto the turkey throughout the cooking process. While most people might think to use butter, substituting with a high quality extra virgin olive oil is a healthier (and tastier) alternative. You can use a traditional olive oil or select from a number of fused or infused oils instead. We suggest trying our butter, rosemary, or lemon olive oils for you to try out this holiday season. Shop for our oils here.

Spice Up the Cranberry Sauce

Using a balsamic vinegar in your cranberry sauce can provide a nice balance to the tartness of the berries. For this type of use we definitely suggest a white balsamic vinegar as the darker balsamic will add a different color to the beautiful, bright sauce you’re working to create.

Drizzle it on the Veggies

Extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar make a great addition to roasted and grilled vegetables at any time of the year, and Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to showcase any of your favorite recipes. From green beans to brussels sprouts you can definitely add a little extra something special to the holiday table. Looking for some inspiration? Try out these sautéed green beans or these caramelized brussels sprouts.

Make a Salad

This might seem like the most basic of all ways to incorporate olive oil or balsamic vinegar, but that doesn’t mean your salad will be boring. There are hundreds of delicious combinations that you can use to create a salad dressing that your guests will be raving about. Try out this wedge salad for a spin on a traditional favorite or this squash and corn salad for something a little bit different for your table. You can also create your own dressing or vinaigrette from scratch by pairing together any oil and vinegar from our vast selection.

Don’t Forget Dessert

Olive oil can be a great substitute in baking of any kind, and it’s an exact one-to-one swap for other oils like canola or vegetable. You can also swap it out for butter in a ratio of three parts olive oil to four parts butter.

Using olive oil, especially a high quality one will add a richness to the flavor and olive oil comes with a lot of great health benefits too. While pumpkin pie is likely to hit the table at some point, offer your family a different option with this tasty tiramisu.

Cocktails for the win

A surprising and often overlooked use for balsamic vinegars can be during cocktail hour. You might not think of it often, but balsamic vinegar can be a great natural sweetener for non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages alike. For a homemade take on seltzer water, simply pour the seltzer water over ice and stir in your favorite white balsamic vinegar. For a non-alcoholic recipe try this blueberry lemon-thyme shrub or for those guests who are old enough, you can serve this elderflower champagne.

Our entire staff at D’Olivo are experts at pairing together our oils and vinegars and we love to offer suggestion for recipes. If you’re looking for ideas stop in for a tasting and to browse our selection. We’d love to help you get exactly what you need for your upcoming holiday dinner. We’re open Monday-Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM and Sundays from 11 AM to 4 PM.

October 22, 2020October 13, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions About Olive Oil

The popularity of olive oil has grown significantly over the last several decades. So much so that an entire industry of fraud has cropped up around this well-known, and highly beneficial cooking oil. Because of the prominence it’s started to play we figured it would be worth touching briefly on some of the most frequently asked question about this delicious oil.

What is The Best Olive Oil?

The answer to this question can depend a lot on what you mean by the best. Of course, by our definition, the best oil you can find is one that is produced using only the purest of methods for extraction and maintains all of the beneficial health properties that olive oil is so well-known for. In this case, you want to find an oil that’s been extracted using no chemical treatment, and ideally produced using the first cold press of the olive. The first cold press ensures that the oil maintains all of the flavor profile and it’s nutritional properties. For more about the best tasting olive oils check out our blog The Best Tasting Olive Oil .

How Long Does Olive Oil Last?

If you’ve got an ancient bottle of olive oil in your cupboard and are wondering if it’s time to toss it, we’re here to help. Research suggests that olive oil is good for 20-24 months after it’s crush date. Of course this is for oils that are still sealed inside their bottle so once it’s been opened you’ll want to make sure you use it up in a few months.

What’s the Proper Storage Method for Olive Oil?

Proper storage for perishable items is a key component to making sure they last as long as they should. High quality olive oils is no exception. To ensure you’re taking the best care of your oil you’ll want to store it in a dark bottle, don’t expose it to too much air, and keep it away from heat. So if you’ve got a bottle that sits right on the counter in direct sunlight you might want to consider a new placement for your oil.

How Do You Know If Olive Oil Is Bad?

The first indication would be to smell your oil. A good oil should smell fresh and green while a rancid oil might smell waxy like crayons. Another sure way to find out is to taste your oil. If it’s still good it will taste like fresh green grass or ripe green olives. An oil that’s gone bad will taste like grease or nuts that have gone bad.

What Are the Health Benefits of Olive Oil?

The news that olive oil is good for your health has been making the rounds for a while now. How exactly does it help though? We explore 5 Proven Health Benefits of Olive Oil, but in short olive oil has been shown to have a positive impact on weight loss, cardiovascular health, cancer rates, diabetes, and more. You can find out more about the science of olive oil here.

How Can I Use Olive Oil?

The possibilities are endless! From cooking to baking to mixed drinks, you can truly use olive oil in a plethora of ways that will keep your adventures in the kitchen exciting. For inspiration you can explore our recipe section online.

Conclusion

At D’Olivo we’re passionate about sharing our knowledge about both olive oils, vinegars, and everything kitchen related. We’d love to have you visit us in store where we can walk you through a tasting of our wide selection of ultra premium oils and balsamic vinegars. Plus invite you to shop all of our kitchen essentials from Wusthof knives to Le Creuset cooking and bakeware.

February 25, 2020February 11, 2020

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Nutrition Facts

The list of cooking fats is seemingly endless with everything from seed oils to vegetable oils flooding the market. While the options you might see on a shelf are vast, the nutritional benefits are not necessarily equal.

In fact, the nutrition information on olive oil suggests that it is the healthiest cooking fat on the market today. Extra virgin olive oil nutrition data shows that the high levels of antioxidants and fatty acids provide numerous health benefits including reduced risk of heart disease.

The predominant fatty acid in extra virgin olive oil is called oleic acid and it makes up about 73 percent of the total oil content. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fat that is odorless, colorless and can be found not only in olive oil, but a number of other animal and vegetable fats and oils.

In fact, some oils are processed in a way to increase the oleic acid content – olive oil however, especially those that adhere to strict guidelines, has a naturally occurring high-percentage of the stuff.

The overall benefit of the fatty acid comes from the number of studies suggesting that oleic acid has anti-inflammation effects, an issue that has been linked to all sorts of health problems.

Choosing an Olive Oil based on Nutrition Info

Once you’ve narrowed your choice down to olive oil, you might still be wondering which olive oil to choose.

Extra virgin olive oil is an olive oil that is made from the first cold press of the olives. This ensures that it maintains a majority of the health benefits that help set it apart. Virgin or light olive oil nutrition shouldn’t be confused with the extra virgin so be sure to read the labels carefully.

When we talk about the health benefits of olive oil you might be wondering what exactly we’re talking about. While research continues to be done into the Mediterranean diet and olive oil itself, we’ve highlighted a few of the known benefits below.

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

1. Contains High Levels of Healthy Fats – As we discussed above, while the oil does contain both saturated and polyunsaturated fats, a majority of the fat that exists in olive oil is a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid.

Studies have shown that oleic acid can help to fight inflammation in the body, one of the leading contributors to a range of different diseases and health problems.

2. Olive Oil Contains Antioxidants – Olive oil is loaded with powerful antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and also help reduce your risk of heart disease

3. Diabetes Prevention – Even if you have a balanced diet, additional measures to prevent diabetes can always be taken. Studies have found that extra virgin olive oil can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 40%.

4. It Can Help Lower Blood Pressure – The phenol-rich nature of olive oil has been shown to help lower blood pressure in several studies. Extra virgin olive oil has been considered so effective for hypertensive individuals that it has officially become a part of the DASH diet.

There are numerous other health benefits that have been noted in relation to consuming extra virgin olive oils. Overall, it’s a wonderful addition to any diet, and all of the nutrition labels for the olive oils that we source and sell can be viewed online.

If you’re wondering how you can add more of this healthy and beneficial fat into your diet then check out our recipe section.

January 28, 2020January 14, 2020

Baking With Olive Oil

We get asked a lot in the store to share recipes and cooking tips to those who are purchasing from our great lineup of ultra premium olive oils and balsamic vinegars. While we’ve got a great list for you to check out online here there are also lots of ways that you can incorporate olive oil into your cooking without a specific recipe.

While many might not know this, you can substitute olive oil for a variety of other baking and cooking fats. We explore those here and even include a nice conversion chart for those of you who are ready to take that leap.

Butter/Margarine

Lots of recipes today in baking call for one of these two ingredients. While these have their place as a cooking and baking fat, if you want to opt for something healthier then olive oil is a great choice.

You might be thinking – what do I do if I have to cream the butter with something else? Many recipes for cookies or light and airy cakes call for this technique. Even with olive oil you can make it work.

Below is a great chart on the substitutions you would use for typical measurements. If you don’t see your conversion here then please do this at a ratio of 3 parts olive oil for 4 parts butter.

1 teaspoon = ¾ teaspoon
1 tablespoon = 2 ¼ teaspoons
2 tablespoons = 1 ½ tablespoons
½ cup = 3 tablespoons
1/3 cup = ¼ cup
½ cup = ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons
2/3 cup = ½ cup
¾ cup = ½ cup + 1 tablespoon
1 cup = ¾ cup

Canola/Vegetable Oil

This type of swap in your recipes would be very easy as the exchange is a simple one-to-one ratio. In addition to being good for your health, the richness of a good quality olive oil is only going to enhance the delicious flavors in a chocolate brownie or cake recipe.

Why Make A Switch

We’ve talked a lot about the health benefits of olive oil and it’s becoming a popular topic that you’ll see in the news on occasion. Changing out one of the fats in a recipe for a healthier option can have an impact on your overall health.

Olive oil has been proven to have a high concentration of antioxidants and can help with inflammation. Check out our article on the 5 Proven Health Benefits of Olive Oil to read more about this topic.

Takeaway

Don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen and experiment by incorporating a new and healthy fat into your baking. Our recommendation (as it always is) is that you use a high quality, not overly processed olive oil, much like the ones we carry at D’Olivo. The robustness of the flavors you find in these as well as the health benefits will enhance whatever you’re cooking.

January 14, 2020

Does Olive Oil Go Bad?

Alright, it’s time to get honest about our kitchens. If yours is like so many others you’ve probably got items galore sitting in one of your cabinets, shoved WAY at the back that probably expired at some point in 2017. While everyone’s guilty of this there’s nothing to be ashamed about.

Of course, for us, olive oil isn’t really that item since we have a hard time keeping a bottle around for a month before needing a refill, but for others that might not be the case. Perhaps you’ve been away on vacation or maybe you just use it sparingly for only your favorite dishes.

While we explore the joy of cooking with olive oil here, for those of you that have a bottle that’s been sitting around we wanted to tackle the topic of how long olive oil lasts, tips for storing it, and how you can tell when it’s expired.

How Long Does Olive Oil Last

This is a great question! Of course, because olive oil is a perishable item it does have an expiration date, but it’s not nearly as short as some might think. Research suggests that olive oil is good for anywhere between 20 and 24 months after it’s crush date. However, once it’s been opened you’ll want to use it up within a few months.

That means you’ve got time to use your oil (assuming you can make it last that long). While the price might be a little higher, investing in a high-quality oil might seem like a better investment if you know that you can keep it stored for up to two years.

It’s important to note though that this timeline assumes you’re properly storing your oil and taking steps to ensure it lasts as it’s expected.

Proper Way to Store Olive Oil

1. Store it in a dark bottle – exposure to light can cause your olive oil to go bad more quickly than normal so you should store your oil in a dark bottle and in a cabinet away from light.

This is why you’ll see that our oils and balsamic vinegars are stored in stainless steel containers and then transferred to dark bottles and sealed right in store. This ensures a fresh bottling and helps prevent exposure to light.

2. Don’t Expose it To Air – exposure to the air can also impact the oil and cause it to go rancid before the expiration date. When you use your oil be sure that you get a good seal on it after use. You’ll also want to ensure that you use it up within a few months after you’ve opened it.

3. Exposure to Heat – While your oil is good at room temperature you’ll want to be sure that you don’t over-expose it to additional heat. Make sure you don’t leave it out on the counter where it sits in the sunlight for a majority of the day or it may alter the olive oil shelf life.

How to Tell If Olive Oil Is Expired

If you’ve followed all the tips above for storage but you’ve got a bottle that you just aren’t sure about there are a couple of ways to double check before pouring a bunch into your cooking pan or onto your finished dishes.

Smell the oil – open the bottle, pour some out and smell the oil. A good olive oil should smell fresh and green like ripe olives. Rancid oil will smell a bit waxy like crayons or putty.

Taste the oil – this is the ultimate test. A good oil will taste “green” like fresh grass or ripe green olives. If it is at all greasy or tastes like nuts that have gone bad get rid of it.

While eating rancid oil won’t make you sick, the off flavor you’ll get is likely to ruin a recipe. If you find that your oil has gone bad we suggest tossing it out and making a trip to the store.

December 17, 2019December 3, 2019

How To Choose A High Quality Olive Oil

Choosing a high-quality olive oil is important when you’re looking to add this delicious and nutritious fat into your daily diet. We talk about the importance of finding a good oil quite often but that’s because of how important we believe it is.

Olive oil is one of the healthiest fats that you can use in your cooking, offering lots of great health benefits. We can’t say enough that not all olive oil is created equal and we want to ensure shoppers are well educated. That’s why we’ve decided to offer you some quick hits on how to be sure you’re packing your cupboard with only high-quality oils.

Extra Virgin Designation

Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality olive oil that you can find on the market. What does that mean though? Well, in its simplest form, extra virgin refers to the method in which the oil is extracted. Extra virgin means that the oil was extracted mechanically without the use of added heat or chemicals.

This process ensures that the nutrients and wonderful polyphenols in the oil are preserved during the extraction. It’s these phenols and provide a lot of the health benefits that you read about oil providing and that we explore in our post here (link – https://dolivotastingbar.com/5-proven-health-benefits-olive-oil/).

As an added distinction, our D’Olivo oils are certified Ultra-Premium meaning they exceed even the highest nationally recognized standards for extra virgin olive oils.

Freshness

Because olive oil is an edible product you want to ensure you’re getting the freshest oil possible. We recommend looking for a harvest date or an expiration date on the bottle. You want to be sure that you pick out a fresher oil and we definitely don’t recommend grabbing anything more than a year old. However, you’ll also want to be aware that the expiration date is more of a suggestion. There’s never a guarantee on freshness when you’re buying from a grocery store since there are other factors that can cause the oil to go rancid such as exposure to light, heat or air.

Buying oils from a specialty olive oil store or tasting bar helps ensure that you’re getting a fresh product. The inventory moves much more quickly and they have employees regularly checking to make sure the oils are stored properly and not going bad on the shelf.

As we like to joke, olive oil is not like wine – it doesn’t get better with age so remember the fresher the better when making your selection. Going hand in hand with this philosophy – when you buy the oil – use it! At some point your oil will go bad so break them out and use them as you cook.

Taste

The surest way to pick a high-quality olive oil is to taste it to make sure it doesn’t have any hint of rancidity. The oil should taste clean, fresh, and green like fresh olives. If the oil you taste has peppery notes that linger in your throat that’s a great sign. The polyphenols are what give the peppery taste to the oil so the more of that you get, the healthier your oil.

This is why visiting specialty olive oil stores and taste bars like D’Olivo are the best way to ensure a quality oil. The oils are usually sourced from reputable distributors and you can taste each oil before purchase. In addition, because the oils move more quickly off the shelves you might even get to see your oil bottled fresh right in front of you.

Storage

As we’ve noted above, the enemies of olive oil are light, heat and air. You want to make sure that any oil you purchase comes in a dark bottle. The dark color will help protect the oil from heat and is a sign that the oil inside is worthy of protection.

After purchase you want to be sure to store your oil in a dark cabinet away from light to make sure it stays fresh as long as possible.

Buy From A Trusted Retailer

As we discuss in this article the popularity of olive oil has caused the proliferation of fake and counterfeit olive oils. While the price of olive oil, found in grocery stores might be hard to beat, if it seems too good to be true it usually is.

Visiting a store with locally sourced products or a specialty olive oil store, while slightly more expensive, provides an extra layer of protection for the buyer. These retailers will have a very good grasp on the olive oils they’re selling and should be able to provide you information on the region of origin of the oils as well as the transportation and storage of the oil. All of these factors are important in maintaining a good quality oil.

December 3, 2019December 3, 2019

Olive Oil Smoke Point

What Is A Smoke Point?

One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to cooking is related to the smoke point, but what exactly is a smoke point? This term refers to the temperature at which a given fat or oil starts to emit a continuous and visible smoke from the pan. If you’ve ever left butter or oil in a pan to heat for a period of time before adding your other ingredients then you’ve likely witnessed this occurance in your own kitchen.

Why Does Smoke Point Matter?

While some might argue that the only issue with the smoke point, also called the burn point, is that it might impart a burnt or unsavory flavor to your dishes. However, as any fat or oil begins to heat, degradation starts to occur. If you heat past the smoke point you can start to lose the important nutrients that exist as part of the fat. One of the benefits of cooking with extra virgin olive oil is that it’s an oil that has a fairly high smoke point, and in addition it retains more of its nutrients than other oils as it reaches these higher temperatures.

How do I know the smoke point of my oil?

For those of you looking for a more concrete answer than “when it starts to smoke in your pan” there are a number of online charts that list the standard smoke points for fats often used in cooking. Corn oil for example smokes at 450 degrees, and canola oil at 400 degrees. Extra virgin olive oil smokes between a range of 325 and 410 degrees farenheit.

At D’Olivo we offer recommendations on cooking with our oils that are specific to those that we source from Veronica Foods. For example, our mild ultra premium olive oil we recommend it be used as a finishing oil only and that you not cook with it. However, both our medium and robust oils can be cooked with, but we recommend you use the robust oil for the dishes you plan to cook at the hottest temperatures.

Do I Need To Worry About Smoke Point?

The answer here is both a yes and a no. Of course, the smoke point is important as you prepare dishes. First because you want them to be enjoyed by your guests without that burnt smell or lingering burned taste.

In addition, you’ll want to maintain all of the benefits of the oil that you’ve chosen to cook with. This is especially important with olive oil as the health benefits of olive oil are well studied and documented which we explored in this blog article.
However, many might be surprised to discover that when it comes to extra virgin olive oil you don’t need to worry as much about smoke point simply because the temperature threshold is higher (325 degrees to 410 degrees). The average temperature for various cooking methods often doesn’t exceed this temperature.

For example, pan frying or sautéing on a stove top typically reaches a temperature of 248 degrees. Deep frying happens between 320 and 356 degrees farenheit, and baking in an oven happens at an average of 356 degrees.

While there are always exceptions to these temperatures they provide a good example of why smoke point, especially when using olive oil, often might not impact your food.

We explore the best types of oils to cook with here and would encourage you to read that as you start preparing your next dinner party menu.