posted by PHILEOS EVOO on January 15, 2024
The market is saturated with different kinds of olive oil which causes confusion and angst among consumers. There are many reasons why olive oil is an important staple in you pantry. It is versatile oil and brings many benefits to your health. When it comes to extra virgin olive oil, the terms that usually get the most attention from consumers are “extra virgin” and “cold pressed”. But what do these terms really mean?
Cold-pressed olive oil is considered superior because it has more flavour, a stronger aroma and far more nutrients than oils created using heat and chemicals. While taste is subjective and there may be people who actually prefer the taste of regular olive oil, the nutritional benefits of extra virgin olive oil can be measured and quantified. These benefits include:
- Higher levels of vitamin E and vitamin K.
- Higher concentrations of natural antioxidants like oleocanthal and oleuropein that protect against heart disease by preventing LDL cholesterol from oxidizing.
- More abundant fatty acids like Omega-3, Omega-6 and oleic acid.
The general definition of cold pressed olive oil is that the product was extracted at low temperatures. There are legislations that state which temperatures the process cannot exceed to earn the label. It also means that the olives and pits used in the process are fresh and did not go through any heating process.
This is why cold pressed olive oil retains the natural smell and taste of olives. After all, cold pressing is a process that has been taking place for many years throughout history. Currently, companies use modern machinery to make the process easier. However, it is still the same process our ancestors developed.
All Phileos of Sparta extra virgin olive oils are cold pressed and retain the best and most important qualities from fresh ingredients. They keep the golden green colour and can become a delicious addition to your daily diet or health routine.
How Is Cold Pressed Olive Oil Made?
In general, cold pressing means that no extra heat is used to extract the olive oil in the process. There are legislations on what terms can be used on a bottle of olive oil and what criteria the oil needs to fulfil. According to the legislation, extra virgin cold pressed olive oil cannot exceed a temperature of 27°C during the process. If the temperature gets any higher, the oil would not be legally able to use the term on a label.
The process begins by washing all the olives. It is necessary to get rid of all the leaves, twigs and dirt so it does not taint the final product. Then, stainless steel rollers turn all the olives and pits into a paste. At this step, it is necessary to watch the temperatures carefully. Then, it is time to add water to the paste slowly. The water helps droplets of oil to get together. This way, it is much easier to extract them later on.
During this part of the process, the oil infuses a flavour from the olives, and it is what makes the final product tastier. To ensure that the product does not oxidise, mixing takes place in closed chambers with no oxygen. Finally, the paste gets into a spinning stage where water and oil separate.
What Makes Cold Pressed Different From Other Olive Oils?
If you would like to compare it to normal olive oil, which is a mixture of refined olive oil and virgin or extra virgin olive oil, the differences are quite significant. Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil retains much more colour, flavour and smell from the fresh olives used in the process.
Cold pressed oil also retains more vitamins and nutrients than regular olive oil, which is extracted by heat. Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil contains a high amount of vitamins E and K, which are beneficial mainly for your immunity and bone health. It is also packed with healthy fats, which can help you to improve levels of bad cholesterol and regulate blood pressure.
Extra virgin olive oils from Phileos are also suitable to be added to your meal straight from the bottle. They will elevate any of your salads and dressings in a matter of seconds. Normal olive oil has a slightly higher smoking point, so it can be used in cooking on low heat or baking.
How Should You Use Cold Pressed Olive Oil?
You can quite easily include cold pressed olive oil in your daily diet. There are many recipes in which you can use it to improve the overall taste of the dish. It is suitable for roasting, baking and sautéing. However, cold pressed olive oil is also an ideal ingredient for salads, dressings, marinades and sauces.
If you would like to make the oil a more significant part of your diet, it does not need to be difficult. When cooking, start by replacing butter or lard with a bit of olive oil. You can also liven up your pasta dinner with homemade pesto or mix up your own salad dressing instead of buying one in the shop.
Extra virgin olive oil can also be used in different ways besides cooking. It has highly moisturising effects on the skin and fights bacteria. Including a bit of olive oil in your skincare routine can help you fight acne and kill the bacteria that causes spots. Applying cold pressed extra virgin olive oil can also improve the condition of your hair. It can help you to fix split ends and make your hair feel more hydrated.
Why Should Always Buy Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
When you see the term on a label, you know that the manufacturer is legally obliged to watch the temperatures throughout the cold pressing process. Overall, adding cold pressed extra virgin olive oil to your household is a simple yet effective change you can make for your health.
You can easily use it to enrich your daily diet with valuable vitamins and nutrients to improve your overall health. It will also add to the taste with the slightly bitter undertones.
Finding an authentic premium high quality is not too difficult as you will recognise it by its green colouring, smell and taste. At Phileos, we ensure that all of our award-winning extra virgin olive oils are of the highest quality and comply with the legislation.
If you want a bottle of Phileos cold pressed extra virgin olive oil today, visit our website to purchase. We promise once you try it, you will never want to go back to another olive oil brand.