The Biggest Mistakes You Can Make with Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the most beneficial products on the planet. Thanks to its properties, it can be used in edible applications and skincare. Extra virgin olive oil is one of the wonders of the world. It contains heart-healthy fats and antioxidants and it tastes awesome. Being one of the most common kitchen staples, it is weird that most of the people make a lot of mistakes while using olive oil. Here is a list of some of the biggest mistakes people make.

Storing the Oil in a Wrong Way

Olive oil should be stored at a low temperature and in a dark place. Heat exposure can cause the polyphenols to degrade the sensory or flavor profile. Store it in your pantry, not above the stove or a windowsill.

Cooking at High Heat

High-temperature cooking can make the antioxidants in olive oil perish. This will cause the alteration of the flavor. Olive oil shouldn’t be used for any cooking method that requires temperatures above 360 F degrees. So, using it in recipes like salads is always welcomed, but don’t use it for frying.

Buying it in a Bulk

Even if we like it or not, discounts have an evil influence on customers. This is how we end up binge-shopping for things in big quantities. Like buying olive oil in a bulk. Olive oil is a actually fat and it goes rancid. If you want to benefit from olive oil’s properties, make sure that the oil recipients don’t stay opened for more than 6 weeks.

Using the Same Oil for Everything

While staring at the shelves, be honest: which olive oil do you choose? The cheap one or the expensive one? Actually, most of the people go for the middle pick and use a one-size-fits-all approach. Usually, it is recommended to select a premium oil for pasta or salads. Olive oil taste ranges from peppery to fruity.

Olive Oil Has Varieties

This is the biggest mistake people make when using olive oil. They assume each type is the same thing. It might seem similar but the effects on some foods are completely different. Let us see what olive oil is all about:

• Light Olive Oil. Also known as “refined”, people usually associate it with first quality oil. However, when an oil is refined, certain particles are removed, changing the flavor. This is why refined olive oil is perfect for baking.
• Premium Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This oil is made by adding extra ingredients like herbs, orange peel or garlic. These flavors are very powerful so it is recommended to use this type of oil for meals where it isn’t the main dish.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This type of oil comes from the first press of the olives. This means that it has the highest particle content. This makes it the perfect oil for pasta dishes or salads.

From now on, we hope you will use olive oil in the right way. By doing so, you can benefit from its properties.