So Many Olive Oils – Get to Know the Differences between Them

Olive oil is one of the best vegetable oils out there, if not the best. It is very popular not only for its taste but also for its health benefits. It is well-known that olive oil can protect your heart, and it helps you to lose weight, maintain a low level of bad cholesterol in your bloodstream, and reduce the risk of cancer. Moreover, it has plenty of nutrients and proprieties that contribute to a glowing skin, beautiful nails, and strong hair. That’s why olive oil is used in beauty care products and cosmetic industry.

But when you want to but olive oil, you can choose from a large variety of types and, of course, prices. There are certain differences regarding processing, harvesting, or nutritional content. All these differences contribute to a lower or a higher quality of the oil.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This is the best choice when it comes to olive oils because it’s the result of first cold pressing of the olives. This means that it contains the highest amount of antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients. If you want to use olive oil for raw meals, such as salads, choose this type. Furthermore, when you use olive oil for health benefits, such as liver detoxification, it is also necessary to use extra virgin olive oil. However, this is the most expensive olive oil.

• Virgin Olive Oil

Even though it’s not as beneficial as extra virgin olive oil because it is not obtained during the first cold pressing, this type of olive oil is still packed with nutrients. You can use it especially for baking or frying when cooking, and for cosmetic purposes, such as hair conditioner or skin moisturizer.

• Pure Olive Oil

When you see this label, you may think that this is superior to all other types of olive oil, because of the name. In fact, pure olive oil is a combination of refined and virgin olive oil. This means that it does not have the same proprieties as virgin olive oil. Because of this, it is great for cooking, but it is not the best choice for a salad dressing.

• Refined Olive Oil

Refined olive oil is actually the processed virgin oil; so, its natural acidity is eliminated. Even though it still has many nutritive elements, the specific scent and taste have vanished. This can be good news for those who want to enjoy the benefits of olive oil, but they don’t like its taste or smell. It is recommended to use it for cooking, but not for salads. Another advantage is that it is affordable.

• Olive Pomace Oil

This oil is made from the last traces of oil in olives, and it is usually blended with virgin oil. However, it is perfect for cooking, due to its high smoke point.

• Light Olive Oil

Once again, the name may fool you because you may believe that it has fewer calories than other olive oils. In fact, the name refers to its low quality, because it no longer contains the same amount of nutrients as other types of olive oil. Light olive oil is still a good choice for cooking.