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How do I taste olive oil?
There are two ways to taste olive oil: 1. Savor the aroma: smell deeply and repeatedly to appreciate the bouquet. 2. Appreciate the taste: eat a slice of apple to cleanse your palate, and then hold some olive oil in your mouth until it is warm, noticing its flavor and aftertaste. Educate your taste buds with the huge variety of oils available.
Is the color of extra virgin olive oil an indicator for quality?
You cannot tell by its color what the taste of an olive oil will be. Olive oils have a wide variety of natural flavors, ranging from mild (delicate, light or "buttery"); semi-fruity (stronger, with a more pronounced olive taste); and fruity (an intense olive flavor). It is not always true that the darker, more intensely colored oils have a more fruity flavor. Flavors of olive oils have more to do with the olive or olive blend used and the growing conditions than with color. Experiment to find your favorite.
What are the nutritional benefits of extra virgin olive oil?
Today's leading researchers recognize olive oil's positive health profile. It contains more monounsaturated or "good" fat per tablespoon than butter, margarine and all other cooking or salad oils. Research shows that monounsaturated fat, when used to replace saturated fat in the diet, helps to reduce the level of LDL or "bad" cholesterol while maintaining the "good" HDL cholesterol. In this way, it may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. And, a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that women with a higher level of monounsaturated fat in their diets were less likely to develop breast cancer1.
OLIVE OIL HANDLING AND STORAGE TIPS
- Store olive oil in an airtight container away from the light in a cool place, such as in a cupboard.
- If stored in the refrigerator, olive oil will become cloudy and eventually solidify. If this happens, let the olive oil come to room temperature and it will become clear and pourable again. The quality and flavor of the olive oil will not be affected.
- Stored properly, olive oil can last years, but the sooner it is consumed after opening, the better the taste will be.
What is the Mediterranean diet?
Over time, the Mediterranean population, in which olive oil plays an integral role, has shown a much lower incidence of diet-related diseases, such as heart disease and breast cancer, than North American and Northern European populations. So what do the people of the Mediterranean typically eat? Their diet is based on fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, breads, pasta, potatoes, a wide variety of grains, fish and olive oil. Red meats and wine, both in moderation, round out the diet dubbed "Mediterranean" by nutritional experts. In the "Mediterranean diet," olive oil is the principal source of fat.
What does first cold pressing mean?
It means that extra virgin olive oil is obtained exclusively from the first pressing of the olives, with no application of heat.
Do you have a question about olive oil or olives? Please send it to us. If selected we will post it on our website and send you a bottle of our Lefas Brand Extra Virgin Olive Oil as a thank you.
We take pride in our Greek heritage and customs; our products are still produced and and processed like in the old country. Our traditions not changed in over 100 years continuing to produce the finest quality food products.
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