posted by PHILEOS EVOO on December 12, 2022
One of Phielos' guiding principles is to educate the North American consumer about the incredible health benefits of true extra virgin olive oil and how to identify the good stuff! If you haven’t given any thought to the olive oil you’re using, you are likely missing out on some truly major health benefits. Not all oils are created equal!
Most of us have found ourselves strolling down the grocery store aisle containing spices, oils and the like, and may have felt completely overwhelmed at your choices when it comes to olive oil. From extra virgin olive oils to premium varieties and everything in between, how can you tell what's going to add flavour to your dish (and is healthy to boot) and what's going to leave you disappointed? As you peruse your options, you may begin to wonder what warrants a top shelf spot and what's wrong with all the other options.
Premium extra virgin olive oil is the juice that comes from the first press of green olives, which means that they are not yet ripe. This first press is important because it contains tons of polyphenols – the naturally occurring antioxidants that have been proven over and over again to improve health, reduce risk of disease and increase longevity.
It takes 5-8 kilos of unripe, green olives to produce each 500ml bottle Phileos ultra premium extra virgin olive oil. I’ll say that again, 5 -8 kilos of olives to produce one bottle! Ultra premium oils have much higher polyphenol content so that just 2-3 tablespoons per day of Phileos EVOO can truly improve your health and longevity. Greeks consume 20 times more olive oil than North Americans.
When it comes to premium olive oil versus regular olive oil, what's the difference? Let us show you...
If you know any olive oil aficionados, you may have heard them gush about premium olive oil and how anything else just doesn't belong in your kitchen. Premium olive oil, most notably ultra-premium olive oil (Phileos is in this category) is considered to be the highest quality olive oil on the market. These types of premium olive oils are made with pure, cold-pressed olives, giving them a lush, fresh taste. Although many labels found in the grocery store claim to be of “premium” caliber, unfortunately many of these offerings aren't technically premium.
Premium olive oil such as Phileos will have a brilliant, vibrant colouring with a balance between fruitiness, bitterness and pungency. A well-balanced premium olive oil will contain hints of grassy, peppery flavors that will complement a dish perfectly.
What To Look For When Shopping For Premium Olive Oil
How can you tell if the bottle you're holding in your hand is actually premium?
Some key indicators of whether or not an olive oil is of premium quality. These indicators include:
- Free Fatty Acid (FFA) content less than 3%
- High Oleic Acid Content
- Contains Biophenols (Oleocanthal, Oleuropein and Hydroxytyrosol)
- Low Peroxide values
Smell test indicator: EVOO will have a distinctly grassy aroma. Therefore, If it smells fresh like grass, fruit or vegetables, it’s more likely that your oil is truly extra virgin.
Taste test indicator: A true extra virgin will reveal lots of fruit and vegetable flavours as you swirl it around your mouth and will have a peppery or bitter taste at the back of your throat when you swallow it. It’s normal to cough and in fact, premium olive oils are often characterized as one-cough, two-cough or three-cough oil. The more coughing, the more the polyphenols and the better the oil! This sensation is actually caused by higher levels of the antioxidant oleocanthal, which is associated with many of olive oil's health perks. Phileos contains all of these attributes, thus reaffirming our EVOO as ultra premium status.
No fresh scent, no bitter or peppery taste and no cough? Toss it and upgrade to Phileos! Don’t waste your time with lesser oils!
Premium olive oil is considered to be the gold standard in the world of olive oil. Although there may be a large variety of the “other guys” available, often sporting an affordable price tag, you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to olive oil. Don't skimp on flavour and health when it comes to the dishes you create in your kitchen. Meals are meant to be enjoyed and mealtime is a chance for us to connect with each other and savor the flavours of our food. Treat yourself to a higher standard with premium olive oil such as Phileos.