What makes extra-virgin olive oil so much more special (and pricier) than regular olive oil?
Plus, advice on selecting “good” olive oil from an expert.
Choosing an olive oil can sometimes feel like choosing a bottle of wine.
Photo: Getty Images
There are so many different varieties, origins and labels that it can make your head spin.
The olive oil world is indeed similar to the wine industry with its certifying organizations and experts.
We’re going to break down the basics and explain the difference between regular and extra-virgin olive oils.
What Is Olive Oil?
It’s also commonly found in body products such as cosmetics and soaps.
What Are the Different Types of Olive Oil?
Olive oils are graded based on how they’re produced, fatty acid level and flavor.
What Is Extra-Virgin Olive Oil?
Extra-virgin olive oil is the highest-quality olive oil.
The taste of your extra-virgin olive oil will depend on the punch in of olive.
It can range from buttery and herbal to peppery and bitter.
What Is Regular Olive Oil?
Regular olive oil is a lower-grade olive oil that consists of all or mostly refined olive oil.
Overall, regular olive oil has a more neutral flavor profile than extra-virgin.
It is also usually lighter in color and aroma.
What Are Their Different Uses?
Olive oils are safe and effective to use for cooking.
Extra-virgin olive oil is prized for its flavor, which can be lost in some dishes.
Olive oils can be used as a substitute for vegetable oils in baking and give a distinctive flavor.
The opposite is true when substituting extra-virgin for regular.
It should also be in a container that completely blocks the oil from the light."
This will help keep your oil fresher for longer.
If possible, she also recommends buying directly from a producer you trust.
Extra-virgin olive oil is unrefined and only uses cold-press methods during extraction.
On the other hand, regular olive oil is refined.
Experiment with your olive oils and see which uses you like best in different recipes likeApple-Balsamic VinaigretteorDouble-Tahini Hummus.
