How to use Olive Oil and Ideas

How Olive Oil is Made

Not all olive oils are created equal - their quality are in essence, graded based on production method, acidity level and flavor.

Although different grades can mix together to produce other grades and types, there are 3 principal grades of olive oil that benefit your health more than others, which you ought to know.

Let's run through their production processes briefly to help you get some basic ideas.

Harvested olives will first go through grinding and pressing using heavy granite millstones or modern stainless steel rollers to extract the oil. At this point, they never add any chemical so as to preserve its nutrients, aroma and flavor. In essence, the health benefits of olive oil retain.

For the liquid gold to be classified top quality, "cold pressing" is required. It means the frictional heat emitted during pressing and grinding should not exceed 86 degrees F (i.e. 30 degrees C).

Such "cold pressing" extraction method yields grades of extra virgin or virgin oil depending on its acidity level.

The lower the acidity level, the better the quality and thus, the greater benefits for your health.

Manufacturers further process some virgin oils after first chemical-free pressing, especially when they bear poor flavor and an acidity level of more than 3% (i.e. not fit for human consumption anymore).

They then send the acidic oil for refining to reduce its acidity level so that it can be re-used for consumption again.

Since ancient times, olive oil has been used to treat number of body ailments as it is a storehouse of numerous vitamins and nutrients. Even today various physicians and nutritionists make use of this wonder oil because of its significant health benefits. The extra virgin kind of olive oil is highly recommended by doctors as it contains several monounsaturated fats and agents which act as antioxidants. The various other benefits of olive oil are mentioned below- have a look!

You would be glad to read that regular use of this magical oil greatly reduces the chances of cholesterol level in body. The presence of alpha-tocopherol in virgin olive oil helps in preventing any blood arteries disorder.

The presence of monounsaturated fat known as oleic acid in this wonder oil is very effective in lowering the influence of oncogene. This gene can cause cancer in body by turning the host cancerous cell. Even antioxidants present in this healthy oil combats the risk of cancer in body.

The Olive Oil Tree

The olive tree was first reported to have been cultivated in Greece. In the year 2000BC, its nutritional value and medicinal qualities were discovered. The information quickly spread through to the entire Greece region, which until recently, was considered the main producer and exporter of the olive tree. This tree is important to the Mediterranean culture in religion, health, family, and employment. One of the most well-known olive tree traditions took place every time a child was born. When a child was born an olive tree was planted, in which the tree would grow simultaneously with the child. As the child would grow, the tree would bear fruit, flowers, and its olive products. Families would have generations and generations of olive trees that would represent their family.

Benefits Of Olive Oil In The Mediterranean

The olive tree and benefits of olive oil have been researched upon and studied for many years. In comparison to other nations, the Mediterranean culture exhibits the health benefits of olive oil. This particular culture uses a high amount of olive oil and little consumption of animal fat. Through the benefits of olive oil, this culture suffers little from heart and cardiovascular diseases.

drinking olive oil