Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil is the primary ingredient of the staple food in the Mediterranean diets. Olive oil is obtained by pressing olives; a fruit that is found in the Mediterranean regions. Apart from cooking, olive oil finds its applications in several fields. It is used in the preparation of cosmetics, soaps, pharmaceuticals or even to light lamps. The different varieties of olive oil include extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, light olive oil, pure olive oil, fine and super fine olive oil. The biggest advantage of olive oil is that it contains monounsaturated fats. Among all the different varieties, the extra virgin and the light olive oil rank first and second respectively. Here we will see more on it.

Overview on Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The oil obtained from the first press is known as extra virgin olive oil. It undergoes lesser chemical processes and is considered as the best and the finest quality olive oil. As it is extracted from the first press, there is very little acid content (1%) in it. As it undergoes lesser chemical processes, it is not as fine as light or super fine olive oil and may contain finer pieces of olives. It is more popular for its excellent taste and aroma. Extra virgin olive oil has a strong aroma and taste which is different from the typical pungent odor of the ordinary olive oil. While preserving this oil, one should remember to place it in a dark container in a cool dry place to prevent it from turning rancid.

Nutrition Facts
Olive oils are mostly used for the fat content present in them. It should be noted that the nutritional value of all the types of olive oil is similar.

Nutrients	Percentage
Total Fat 7g	11%
Saturated Fat 1g	5%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrates 0g	0%
Protein	0%
Vitamin A	0%
Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	0%
Iron	0%

Health Benefits
People who have a regular intake of extra virgin olive oil are found to be less susceptible to coronary heart diseases. They also have lesser chances of developing atherosclerosis, asthma, diabetes and colon cancer. Olive oil is a prominent source of fat as it is the only seasoning used in cooking. It does not pose any threat to our health as compared to vegetable oils and butter. Extra virgin oil specially contains an antioxidant called polyphenols which protects the heart against several diseases. Its high content of monounsaturated fats are very beneficial for heart health. On the other hand, olive oil, specially the extra virgin version, is very easy to digest and also prevents other gastric problems. This variety of olive oil also contains high amounts of vitamin E as compared to other versions. Additionally, extra virgin olive oil prevents hair damage, and hair fall; while adding shine and gloss to it. It also makes the skin supple and smooth.

This oil can be used as an ingredient for preparing pasta, salads, sauces, with meat or simply on vegetable sandwiches. You can add other spices to this oil to add different flavors. One should remember that this type of olive oil should not be used for deep-frying as it tends to burn and produce smoke very quickly. As extra virgin oil is got directly from the farms, it is equally popular among organic food lovers. As a concluding note, remember that extra virgin olive oil is the best and most superior version of olive oil you can ever buy!