High-Quality Cold-Pressed Olive Oil
You might have noticed that chefs and cooking enthusiasts often regard olive oil as superior to most other cooking oils. However, you may wonder what really separates high-quality olive oil from other types of cooking oils, like canola oil or sunflower seed oil.
This guide aims to discuss what high-quality cold-pressed olive oil is and how it differs from other cooking oils, such as avocado oil. We'll also mention some of the most common uses of cold-pressed olive oil and some of the best products on the market.
What Is High-Quality Cold-Pressed Olive Oil
High-quality cold-pressed olive oil often refers to cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil or EVOO. This type of oil comes from non-GMO organically farmed olives whose quality isn't affected by pesticides and herbicides and, thus, aren't contaminated by chemicals.
After harvest, olives are first cold-pressed to extract the highest grade of oil, which is referred to as EVOO. The remaining olive content is then crushed and turned into paste, from which water and oils are extracted together. Refined oil is then extracted by refining the unrefined oils using heat.
While there are high-quality olive oils on the market, what separates organic extra virgin olive oil from the rest is the organic cultivation process devoid of any chemicals, followed by washing and then cold-pressing to extract the finest oils.
Please note that the best EVOO oils come in a glass bottle with a Certified Organic label, which guarantees that the oil is unfiltered, comes from organically cultivated olive trees, and is the product of first pressing, so it isn't refined.
Uses of Cold-Pressed Olive Oil
EVOO stands out from other oils in terms of quality, which is why it found its way into numerous applications. Thanks to its fruity, grassy, or peppery flavor (depending on the variety and region), olive oil became a prized choice for salad dressing, drizzling, dipping, and finishing dishes.
It's also good for sauteing and low-to-medium cooking since it doesn't really have a high smoke point, but it's also a good base for marinades. It's rather popular in Mediterranean cuisine.
However, due to its rich nutrient content with high levels of polyphenols (powerful antioxidant) vitamins E and K, and monounsaturated fats and fatty acids (the healthy fats), olive oil is often praised for its health benefits, especially in skincare and combating heart disease.
Check Out Our Cold-Pressed Olive Oil
If you're looking to buy yourself some olive oil, why not go for the best? Here is our selection of the finest olive oils on the market.
Frantoio Grove Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This oil is extracted from the more generously irrigated section of the orchard, with nearly all green fruit, yielding a high-polyphenol oil that's expressive yet low on the bitterness that's often associated with more stressed trees.
Frantoio Grove Picual: This particular blend, which is extracted from both green and ripe Picual olives, offers plenty of vibrancy and depth.
KATZ Chef's Pick EVOO: This oil is extracted from the olives pressed at the Frantoio Grove mill under the watchful eye of the 6th generation farmer Patrick Martin and features a blend of Taggiasca, Casalive, and Favolosa olive varieties.
Summary
EVOO olive oils aren't just beneficial to your body and your health; they're also a blessing for your taste buds. If you're looking to buy premium olive oil, don't hesitate to check out Frantoio Grove - the first and only regenerative organic certified olive farm and mill in California.
