The Mediterranean food is one of the healthiest, which is based on consuming food products from this particular area of the world in the U.S. One of the pillars of this kind of food is undoubtedly olive oil, which is also called liquid gold with all fairness. In this article, we will tell you about the best extra virgin olive oil. Before that, we need to give you some important information, which you must read to understand what exactly the best extra virgin olive oil is. Read on!
Olive oil is used for frying, for flavoring or can be consumed as is on a toast, for example. There are many varieties of this product and also different qualities. It is a food that must be present daily at your table.
Olive oil has some properties that are common to all oils of vegetable origin. But it also has some that are typical of the olive. The characteristics of olive oil depend on the variety of olive used, the way in which the oil was processed and how it has been stored.
Olive oil has, as we said, has many properties. One of them is that it is rich in vitamin E. This vitamin has many benefits for the body and, for example, helps reduce cholesterol levels.
In the market, you will find different types of olive oils. You have to know its different characteristics to make the best choice. Not only in terms of quality but also valuing the use you are going to give it.
Quick look of the best olive oil in 2021:
What do you need to know about olive oil?
Olive oil is a type of vegetable oil that is used in cooking. Its use dates back thousands of years and owes its name to the use of olives in its elaboration. It is a typically Mediterranean product. In fact, the three main producers worldwide are Italy and Greece.
To extract the oil from the olives, they have to ripen for about eight months. The harvest time is at the end of autumn. Once they have been picked, the olives are pressed to get the juice. From there the whole production process begins, on this, the oil quality will depend to a large extent.
Following are the best olive oil:
In this section, we will tell you about the best extra virgin olive oil. If you want to buy the best products, you must choose among the following. Continue reading!
1. Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Without a doubt, it is one of the best oils in its category in the world. To prepare this oil, the olive is collected early. To produce a liter you need between 12 and 13 kilos of olives. Other oils barely use four. Therefore, its objective is not to produce a large amount of this food but to obtain a high quality product. Not forgetting the careful design of their bottles.
It is olive oil that you can use to enhance the flavor of the rest of the food. It is suitable for all kinds of preparations. Your taste will surprise you. It has excellent nutritional values. In addition, it is ground the same day the olive is harvested and pressed using mechanical procedures.
It is advisable to accompany raw or cold seasonings, as in warm or hot foods, such as vegetables, fish or grilled meats. This variety offers a medium intensity, with a soft and delicate mouth entry, followed by a slightly bitter taste.
2. Ellora FarmsTraceable Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The producers of the farm are totally autonomous: they collect, transport, and grind their own olives. They also handle storage and bottling. As the olive groves are close to the factory, olives are always picked up quickly (less than 12 hours) for extraction after harvest.
It has a very good olive and with additional flavor. Sweet and pleasant, it does not leave a bitter aftertaste and is ideal for preparing salads and all kinds of cooking. The organoleptic properties of this oil make it perfect for raw consumption with stews.
The extraction of this oil is done cold, with a maximum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. This process allows obtaining an extra virgin olive oil while preserving all its properties, its flavors, its smell, and its characteristic appearance. It is 100% pure Greek extra virgin oil. Moreover, there are pesticides, herbicides, artificial solvents, and additives.
3. 2020 GOLD Award Winning PJ KABOS
PJ KABOS is one of the best products on our list of extra virgin olive oil. It has won the 2020 best award – i.e. gold medal for its unique properties and 100% natural, organic form.
It has aromas of green grass, green fruit, and fresh herbs. It has medium bitterness, abundant fruitiness, as well as rich in antioxidants – which makes it the best product when it comes to health benefits.
There are no additives, no artificial colors, no pesticides or herbicides residues, Non-GMO, BPA-free, and 100% pure and natural organic olive sent from Greece to the United States. The best thing about this product is that it does lose its freshness.
4. LaRambla Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This olive company occupies a prominent place as an ecological company in the world of oils. It is one of the pioneers in the production of organic olive oil. It also produces other products that it sells, such as cheese.
It presents intense fruity flavors with an aroma of freshly cut grass and olive leaves. In the mouth, its flavor is bitter and spicy, with persistent notes of almond and apple. The geographical environment in which it develops is particularly conducive to olive trees: it is surrounded by an idyllic environment with meadows, pine forests, and two mountain peaks.
To prevent oxidation, oxygen is injected into storage tanks. Olive oil will not be bottled until an order has been received. However, it should be kept closed in a dark and cool place. It has a wide range of health benefits as well as other household advantages – for instance, you can use it for cleaning purposes.
5. Troy Organics Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Troy Organics Virgin Olive oil is a unique product suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. There are no artificial flavors as well as it is BPA-free, cruelty-free, and gluten-free.
When it comes to the health benefits of this product, you must know that it helps with digestive system problems or ailments, diabetes mellitus, psychological disorders, and heart diseases.
It is a rich source of powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. You can also use this oil for massage all over your body. Make sure you mix it with the flavored oil for a better aroma.
6. AmazonFresh Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This organic extra virgin olive oil comes in 500 ml plastic bottle. This oil is great for grilling, roasting, marinades and salad dressings. AmazonFresh olive oil is great for you if you like Colavita roasted garlic.
7. Tropical Holistic Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil
This high quality organic extra virgin olive oil made from premium olives and yellow greenish color is the sign of quality and freshness. This is one of the best all-rounder oils used for everything from cosmetics and beauty to food preparation and cooking.
Great oil is for cooking of all types and healthier that other heavier oils and fats. This product is using high quality olive. This extra virgin olive oil is organic and safe with no harsh chemicals, toxins or hazardous impurities.
8. Carapelli – Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Carapelli is a cold pressed organic extra virgin olive oil. Exclusively sourced from farming organic and produced in fresh environment. This product made with premium Mediterranean olives with blended for consistency and good quality bottle.
9. Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The product comes with a premium quality variety bottle. This Flavored extra virgin olive oil made from organic olives and exclusively flavored with organic ingredients. Robust flavor makes your cooking experience difference. Perfect for pizza, salad dressing and dipping sauces, as well as good on meats, chicken and fish.
10. Botticelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Botticelli extra virgin olive oil made from high quality olives using cold extraction. You can enjoy the rich aroma and full flavor of this gourmet kitchen staple. You will get a premium product at an affordable price. Botticelli is all your cooking essentials from sauces and pasta to olive oils and vinegars.
Is extra virgin olive oil or sunflower oil better?
One of the debates that arise from time to time is whether olive oil or sunflower oil is better. The truth is that without wanting to throw sunflower oil on the ground, olive oil is much better.
It is so much in its elaboration as in its many properties. Therefore, whenever possible, it is better to bet on extra virgin olive oil.The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of extra virgin olive oil in the context of a Mediterranean diet can explain the observed benefits.
What categories of olive oil exist?
One of the most interesting aspects of the world of olive oils is knowing their categories. Surely you are used to hearing about some of them, but you may not know how they differ. Therefore, we have prepared the following table in which we show you the different categories and their main characteristics.
| Type of oil | Main features |
| Virgin olive oil | It is only cold-pressed and no heat is used to increase production. It is always made with the first pressing of the olive. |
| Extra virgin olive oil | It is the best oil and the one with the most attractive flavor. Its acidity level is below 1%. It highlights its particular green color. |
| Extra fine virgin olive oil | It is not a bad oil, quite the opposite, but it cannot be compared with the extra virgin. It has a more golden color and an acidity close to 2%. |
| Ordinary virgin olive oil | It is a low-quality oil, although suitable for human consumption. Its acidity is above 3% and has a few properties. |
| Refined Olive Oil | It is not a good oil and it shows in its flavor. Its acidity allows it to be consumed by people. Due to the heat that is applied, it loses its properties. |
How do you read the olive oil label?
Unfortunately, consumers do not always look at the information on the label of the products they buy. However, it contains data that is very valuable when making a purchase. Therefore, we will show you below how to read the label of a bottle of olive oil, although it will not always be the same:
Recommended use: On some labels, you will find the recommended use for the oil you are going to buy. It suggests you with what types of food best combines the chosen product.
Olive varieties or types: You already know the main varieties of olives that are used. You have verified that the flavor of the oil changes depending on the one used. So, you are interested in looking at this aspect.
Harvest: It shows you the year of the harvest that is used. It can be a single year or more than one.
Cold extraction: If you point to this characteristic, the label is because it has been removed at less than 27 degrees. If so, the taste will be better.
Designation of origin: This data must appear if it is virgin or extra virgin olive oil.
Oil type:Perhaps it is the most important aspect since it tells you what kind of oil you use. As we have already mentioned, always try to bet on the best extra virgin olive oil.
How to choose the best extra virgin oil for massage?
One of the first aspects to consider when selecting massage oils is the basis they have. In general, these products are made with ingredients of plant origin, although it is sometimes possible to identify models whose formula has an animal origin. The oil base will largely determine its properties.
For example, if the oil is made with aloe Vera base, this means that the skin will receive a higher dose of hydration thanks to the benefits of this plant. Very common is the massage oil based on olive, also very moisturizing and with high doses of vitamins A and E, proteins and minerals.
The typology is an indispensable detail that we cannot forget for massage oils. In this line, we can find thicker and more liquid models, suitable for each type of massage.
For massages where it is not necessary to apply too much friction, such as relaxants, thick oils will fit better. Although it seems the opposite, they are oils that slide much better through the skin.
Another advantage is that olive oils are absorbed more slowly, which means that the oily texture will stay longer on the skin and not so many applications will be required.
There are many plants that serve as a base to prepare essential oils that will help you relax with a body massage, as well as other natural ingredients to enhance its effects.
In the first place, you will need a base oil, such as olive oil and some drops of organic and pure essential oil, such as lavender, jasmine, rose-hip, cinnamon, mint, etc. are better known.
The regular ratio to mix them correctly is to use 100 ml of base oil and add 10 to 20 drops of olive oil. In this sense, you can mix different oils to achieve a multi-effect in your massage oil.
For example: in 100 ml of olive oil place 10 drops of rosewood oil to bring the floral and relaxing touch, 5 drops of jasmine oil to stimulate the body and mind and 5 of cinnamon to relieve the tension of the muscles.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of olive oil?
Olive oil is present in almost all households. It is used both for cooking and dressing a salad, among many other uses. At this point, you already know some of its features. Now the time has come for you to discover its main advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- It is a health care product
- It improves the taste of food
- It is a product that is easily found
Disadvantages
- Some varieties are quite expensive
- It does not maintain a constant cost
- You have to know how to use it
Buying Guide
We are about to start this buying guide, but we don’t want to do it without reviewing some aspects that you should evaluate. It is true that olive oil is bought frequently, but it is good that whenever you do it correctly. So, do not miss the information we show you in the following sections.
Type of oil
You have already seen that there are different types of olive oil in the market. You have also discovered that not all are equally beneficial. Therefore, you should always try to acquire extra virgin olive oil. They are the ones that will take better care of your health and those that give an optimal flavor to food.
Variety
When buying olive oil, you must take into account its variety and what it is recommended for. The best option is to have different varieties at home to use the most suitable one. Of course, try to consume oil at a reasonable time. We say this because then it loses some of its properties. Extra virgin olive oil is the perfect food.
Container size
Following the line of the previous section, it is important that you bet on the appropriate container size for your family.
You are welcome to save some money by buying a five-liter bottle if you take a long time to consume them. In addition, the minimum container must be half a liter so that the product remains in perfect condition.
Acidity
Acidity measures how many fatty acids are free in the oil. In fact, it is a value that shows the quality of the best extra virgin olive oil. The lower the acidity, the higher the quality of the oil. Virgin olive oil will have an acidity equal to or less than 2 degrees. The extra virgin must be 0.8 degrees or less.
Quality
It is good that you buy olive oil in online stores that guarantee its origin. It would also be appropriate for you to buy a product from which you can verify its origin and that complies with its labeling. Do not forget that sometimes there have been cases in which consumers have been scammed with this product.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Extra virgin olive oil does not contain free radicals compared to the regular one. It is likewise a rich source of powerful antioxidants – that are extremely beneficial for your overall health and wellbeing.
Although some manufacturers claim this, the truth is that it does not contribute directly to weight loss. Research shows that it keeps your cholesterol level lower – so, yes, it indirectly leads to weight loss or burning belly fat.
Yes, absolutely. It is one of the best essential oils for massage on any part of the body – including the joints to reduce pain or inflammation.
Conclusion
Olive oil is a product with infinite properties. In addition, it is essential in your kitchen. It is used to prepare almost all dishes and brings a special flavor to your elaborations. When choosing an olive oil you have to choose the one that best fits the ingredients that will be used to achieve an optimal result.
In the market, you will find a wide variety of olive oils. Not everyone has the same quality nor is it equally beneficial for health. Throughout this article, we have given you a series of guidelines so you can choose the best one.
Of course, our recommendation is that you bet on extra virgin olive oil – and you can choose any of these products that we have mentioned in this article. Just make sure you choose the product that best fits your specific requirements. Good Luck!
