Choosing the Best EVOO for Your Health: A Guide
Posted by Texana Brands on
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, or EVOO, has been used for cooking and in cooking for centuries. To this day, olive oil is incredibly popular, and for good reason. Not only is it versatile and flavorful, but extra virgin olive oil has been shown to possess surprising health benefits.
However, not all olive oil is created equal, and finding the right one can be challenging. Some are better than others regarding quality, taste, and, most importantly, the health benefits they provide.
In this post from Texana Brands, our experts will guide you through choosing the best EVOO for your health and cooking needs.
Table of Contents:
- What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
- What Makes EVOO Best for Health?
- Choosing The Best EVOO for Health in 5 Steps
- Always Choose All Natural
- Look for EVOO That's Cold Pressed
- Choose EVOO in Dark Glass Bottles
- Taste The Oil If You Can
- Opt for Estate-Grown Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Conclusion
People Also Ask:
Which olive oil is the cleanest?
100% extra virgin olive oil is the purest culinary and dietary oil available. Therefore, it's the best for cooking and used for dips, salad dressing, marinades, and baking!
Which olive oil has the highest polyphenols?
Olive oil that is 100% extra virgin has the highest levels of polyphenols and other high levels of natural antioxidants and nutrients.
What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Extra virgin olive oil, or EVOO, is the only undefined type of olive oil. This means EVOO is the most flavorful and highest-quality olive oil available.
Why? Because EVOO is never processed with chemicals or heated for creation. Instead, the olives are ground up and pressed using cold-pressed methods designed to retain as much natural flavor profile and nutrients as possible.
What Makes EVOO Best for Health?
Extra virgin olive oil is widely known for its unmatched health benefits. Its naturally high levels of polyphenols make it stand out from other oils. Polyphenols are natural plant compounds that are packed with powerful antioxidants.
These properties make EVOO an ally in fighting disease and boosting overall health. Some health benefits include reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.
Additionally, extra virgin olive oil is a potent anti-inflammatory agent.
Many recent studies have shown that EVOO contains a superfood compound known as Oleocanthal. Extra virgin olive oil is the only dietary oil containing Oleocanthal, and Oleocanthal is one of the most powerful health-promoting molecules.
Incorporating extra virgin olive oil into your cooking and eating routine is a simple yet effective step towards a healthier lifestyle.
Choosing The Best EVOO for Health in 5 Steps
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is often touted as the healthiest option due to its high concentration of healthy monounsaturated fats and polyphenols. Still, there are a few things to remember when choosing the best EVOO for your health needs.
Read more about choosing the best EVOO for your health in five easy steps!
Always Choose All Natural
This type of EVOO is made from olives that are grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. It's also extracted using mechanical means only – no chemicals or heat are used.
Look for EVOO That's Cold Pressed
Cold-pressed EVOO is made by crushing the olives without using any heat. This allows the oil to retain its natural flavors and nutrients.
Cold-pressed EVOO is higher in polyphenols, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and protect against heart disease. It also has a higher vitamin E concentration, an important antioxidant that helps protect against cell damage and aging.
Choose EVOO in Dark Glass Bottles
We all know olive oil should be stored in a cool, dark place to preserve its quality. However, only some know that the oil's packaging also plays an essential role.
Light can harm the oil, so look for EVOO packaged in dark glass to protect it from exposure to sunlight. We package all our signature 100% virgin olive oil products in dark glass bottles at Texana Brands, taking those extra steps to preserve the taste and quality of ingredients.
Taste The Oil If You Can
The simplest way to discern the quality of your EVOO is by tasting it. For this reason, you can purchase oils that offer free tastings or sample bottles. High-quality extra virgin olive oil packed with nutrients should taste fruity, slightly bitter, and spicy, with a nutty taste that can differ depending on the variety of olives used.
Opt for Estate-Grown Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Estate-grown EVOO is made from olives grown on a single estate or farm. This means that the olives are harvested and crushed at the peak of ripeness, resulting in a fresher and more flavorful oil. Estate-grown EVOO is also often unfiltered, organic, and high in polyphenols, making it an excellent choice for optimal health.
Conclusion
Choosing the best extra virgin olive oil for your health can be daunting, especially with so many options available. However, by following the tips outlined above, you can decide which oil is right for you.
Remember that the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil come from the antioxidants, polyphenols, and healthy fats that are naturally present in it. Choosing the right oil adds an extra layer of health and flavor to your cooking and meal preparation.
Shop Texana Brand's signature olive oil products here!