Olive oil is one of the healthiest types of cooking oil. It's good for the heart, it lowers bad cholesterol and it impedes certain types of aging. Choosing the right extra virgin olive oil can be difficult to do because slick ads often confuse consumers with labels like "lite" or "cold pressed." The true quality of extra virgin olive oil depends on the quality of the olive and on how the oil was processed. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
1. Investigate the differences between extra virgin olive oils. Start with a local natural food store, like Whole Foods. Most natural food store personnel can provide good information or at least direct you to where you can get it. Check the Internet too, especially, the web site for the "International Olive Oil Council."
2. Make sure extra virgin olive oils are indeed what they are advertised as. Well-nurtured olives that have not undergone intense processing make the healthiest olive oils. Choose organic extra virgin olive oil to increase the health benefits of this amazing cooking oil. Ask grocers or people who enjoy cooking for advice on product names.
3. Try out a few quality extra virgin olive oils for taste. Move forward with the one(s) that please your palette the most. Realize that, like wine, good extra virgin olive oil comes in many different varieties of flavors, moods and styles.
4. Choose one or two tasty and high quality extra virgin olive oils to sprinkle on salads and other dishes. Choose a lower quality (and less expensive) extra virgin olive oil for cooking. Know that some of the common brands of extra virgin olive oil are good to keep on hand for cooking.
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