They told how to choose a quality product and shared a selection of the best manufacturers.

Which olive oil is better: top 5 brands of 2023

How is it used 

cooking

  • Salad Dressing - Mix with vinegar or lemon juice, salt and pepper to make a delicious and healthy salad dressing .
  • Roasting - Can be used to sauté vegetables, seafood, or meats. Heat in a saucepan, add ingredients. 
  • Grilling - brush vegetables, fish or meat, this will add flavor, prevent food from sticking to the grill.
  • Baking - use in place of butter or other butter when baking.

Skin care 

Here are some ways to use it in skin care:

  • Moisturizing - Apply a small amount of the product on the face before going to bed, leave overnight.
  • Make-up remover - moisten a cotton pad, gently wipe off makeup.
  • Hair Care - Pour onto hair and scalp, leave for 30 minutes, then rinse with shampoo.
  • Cuticle Oil – Apply a small amount of cuticle oil and massage in.

How to choose olive oil in the store

Let's discuss the important factors to consider when choosing a product.

Type 

The four common types are first cold pressed, first pressed, refined and pomace.


  • First cold pressed olives are produced by first cold pressing olives, resulting in a high quality product with a fruity taste and low acidity. It is best used for dressings, sauces , finishing dishes.
  • First pressing is also obtained from first cold pressed olives, but it has a higher acidity than first cold pressing. Suitable for cooking at lower temperatures, gives dishes a mild flavor.
  • Refined is produced by refining the product of the first pressing, resulting in a product with a neutral taste, suitable for cooking at high temperatures. In addition, it is cheaper than the product of the first cold pressing.
  • The pomace product is obtained by extracting the residue from the pulp of olives after the first pressing. It has a high smoke point and is suitable for deep frying and other high temperature cooking methods.

Quality and freshness

Quality and freshness are decisive factors to consider when choosing a product. Look for "cold pressed" or "first cold pressed" as this indicates that it was extracted using a mechanical process rather than chemicals. Choose a product that is bottled in dark glass containers or metal cansto protect from light and air. The packaging should also indicate the production date or expiration date to ensure freshness.

Origin and production

The origin and production methods can affect its taste and quality. It is better to take a product from a well-known manufacturer or brand that indicates the origin of the olives used in the oil. Olive oil produced in Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal is generally of high quality but there are excellent products from other countries. It must be certified organic or have a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

Taste and aroma

Subjective factors when choosing, but they can affect the taste of the dishes you cook. You can try it before you buy it or read online reviews to get an idea of ​​the flavor profile. For example, extra virgin olive oil should have a fruity, slightly bitter, pungent taste. The aroma should be fresh, grassy or nutty, depending on the variety of olives used.


Which olive oil is suitable for frying

It is important to use a product with a high smoke point, which means it can withstand high temperatures without producing smoke or decay. First cold pressed is not suitable for frying because it has a lower smoke point than other oils and can release harmful compounds when heated above the smoke point. You can use a refined one with a higher smoke point instead. and neutral taste. Avoid reuse for frying, as this can lead to the formation of harmful compounds, reducing the quality of the product.

Which olive oil is best for salads

For salads, the product of the first cold pressing is perfect. It is made from pure, cold-pressed olives without the use of heat or chemicals. It has a rich fruit flavor and a distinct aroma that can enhance the taste of salads, dressings and sauces. When buying such a product, look for bottles with a dark tint. Also choose a product that is from Italy or Greece as these regions have a long history of producing high quality olive oil.