6 MYTHS ABOUT EVOO

EVOO is internationally known as a fantastic food that everyone should include in their daily diet. Today, we will explore certain things we think we know about EVOO that are not actually true. So, let’s check out the myths and bust them!

Myth #1

EVOO should not be cooked at very high temperatures.

Nope. Olive oil can be used even when we are frying. The polyphenols contained in the olive oil make it suitable for high temperatures, compared to other oils in the market.

Extra virgin olive oil remains “stable” at about 410 degrees Fahrenheit, so frying which is usually done at 356 degrees Fahrenheit does not affect its quality, turning it to a toxic substance for our body.

However, we should keep in mind that fried food is not the healthiest choice we can make, so we should try to avoid it.

 Myth #2

It is OK to store EVOO on the kitchen counter.

It is not OK at all. Olive oil should be stored away from the oven and protected from sunlight. Ideally, it should be kept in a dark and shady place. This is why EVOO bottles are usually dark.

Myth #3

You can understand whether an olive oil is good by its color.

Olive oil comes in a variety of color tones depending on the olives and the region they are grown. Darker or lighter, green or golden yellow, its color has nothing to do with its quality.

Myth #4

Quality EVOO does not cost much.

The truth is that good olive oil costs. This is due to the fact that it is made from olives that are hand - picked and mashed on the day they are collected. The production of extra virgin olive oil is not easy therefore, its price goes up.

Myth #5

The labels on the bottle do not provide any important information.

Quite the opposite is true. From the label on the bottle you can understand a lot about the quality of the olive oil that you are buying. For instance, acronyms like “DOP”, “DO”, “DOC” and “PDO” indicate that the oil has been produced according to EU requirements.

Myth #6

The expiration date does not matter.

Olive oil does not spoil easily, but it is a good idea to buy it as fresh as possible. For example, if the bottling date is 18 months ago, it means that this oil could be 3 years old, as sometimes bottling is delayed. Prefer buying oil that has been bottled as recently as possible.