Hey there, fellow olive oil enthusiasts! I’m here to help you navigate the tricky world of olive oil, where fakes and frauds abound. So, buckle up, and let’s take a deep dive into what’s lurking in your olive oil, what makes olive oil truly beneficial and how to spot the good stuff.
What’s Lurking in Your Olive Oil: The Importance of Choosing Quality Brands
First things first, olive oil is packed with nutrients and offers some amazing health benefits. The star of the show is the monounsaturated fats, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Olive oil even has antioxidants that can help combat high LDL cholesterol, strokes, and heart disease.
However, it’s important to be aware of what’s lurking in your olive oil, as some brands have been found to be adulterated with cheaper oils or even contain harmful contaminants. No wonder it’s a staple in the Mediterranean diet!
But here’s the catch: not all olive oil is created equal. In fact, around 80% of Italian olive oil sold is actually fake. Many so-called “olive oils” are made by cutting genuine olive oil with cheaper oils, like soybean oil, and then adding other ingredients to make it taste and look authentic. It’s a sad truth that many of us might not have even tasted 100% pure olive oil!
Keys to Quality and Proper Storage of Olive Oil
Now, let’s talk about quality. What makes a great olive oil? It’s all about the process, purity, and storage. Extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oil is considered the highest quality, as it preserves the oil’s flavor and nutritional profile. And remember, always look for third-party testing to make sure it’s the real deal.
But how do you store this liquid gold? Dark-colored glass containers are your best bet to maintain the oil’s freshness and quality.
Now, let’s get down to business. Which brands should you avoid? Here’s a quick “naughty list” of brands that might not be up to par:
- Filippo Berio
- Bertolli
- Pompeian
- Colavita
- Star
- Lucini
- Newman’s Own
- Whole Foods
- Safeway
- Mezzetta
- Mozzola
- Berio
- Amazing Value
But don’t worry, there’s good news too! Here’s a list of brands that you can trust:
- California Olive Ranch
- Cobram Estate
- Kasandrinos
- Corto Olive
- O-Live
- Oleoestepa
- Ottavio
- Omaggio
In a nutshell, choosing the right olive oil can be a bit of a challenge, but armed with this information, you’re now ready to tackle it head-on. Look for extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oil that’s been tested by third parties and stored in dark-colored glass containers. And always be on the lookout for those sneaky fakes. Happy olive oil hunting!
References
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- Lucas, Lisa et al. “Molecular mechanisms for inflammation. Current pharmaceutical designvol. 17,8 (2011): 754-68. doi:10.2174/138161211795428911
- Beauchamp, Gary K et al. Nature vol. 437,7055 (2005): 45-6. doi:10.1038/437045a
- Schwingshackl and Lukas. “Monounsaturated fat acids, olive oil, and health status: A systematic review and meta-analysis from cohort studies.” Lipids and health vol. 13 154. 1 Oct. 2014, doi:10.1186/1476-511X-13-154
- Estruch, Ramon et al. “Primary prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease using a Mediterranean diet” The New England journal. 368,14 (2013): 1279-90. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1200303
- Rodriguez, Cecilia. “The Olive Oil Scam: If 80% Is Fake, Why Do You Keep Buying It?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 12 Oct. 2022, www.forbes.com/sites/ceciliarodriguez/2016/02/10/the-olive-oil-scam-if-80-is-fake-why-do-you-keep-buying-it/?sh=1330f3d0639d.
- “Olive Oil Fraud Rampant as Demand Skyrockets.” NPR, NPR, 7 Aug. 2007, www.npr.org/transcripts/12571726.
- Blechman, Nicholas. “Extra Virgin Suicide.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 25 Jan. 2014, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/01/24/opinion/food-chains-extra-virgin-suicide.html.
- “Draft Report on the Food Crisis, Fraud in the Food Chain and the Control Thereof – Olive Oil Times.” European Parliament, Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, 1.oliveoiltimes.com/library/draft-report-fraud.pdf.
- “What’s The Difference Between Virgin and Extra Virgin Olive Oil?” North American Olive Oil Association. 30 April. 2020, www.aboutoliveoil.org/whats-the-difference-between-virgin-and-extra-virgin-olive-oil.
