When you go to the store to buy olive oil, are you aware of the fact that there are several different varieties of this popular cooking oil?
From the highest-quality option of extra-virgin olive oil to the little-known, cheap version of this “liquid gold” which is denominated as being “refined,” there are lots of different options for olive oil buyers. Here is your explanation of the differences between each variety.
Extra-Virgin
Extra-virgin olive oil is the highest quality variety of the product that you can buy. Not treated in any way or altered by chemicals, it retains the essence of the olives that are used to make it. Be careful when using it for cooking, however, as its low smoke means that it can burn easily.
Virgin olive oil is similar to the extra-virgin oil, with the only slight difference being in the content of oleic acid that it contains. It’s also not treated with any type of chemicals or unnatural processes, but might be slightly more astringent and bitter due to the higher acid content.
Refined olive oil, which is often sold as “pure” olive oil, is a lower-quality product than virgin varieties. These “pure” oils are usually made mostly with refined oil, which has been treated to remove impurities and may contain a slight amount of virgin oil. It is, however, a better option for cooking due to its higher smoke point.
