Olive oil is a commonly used ingredient in so many foods and has been around for a long time. It was known to be created in Middle Eastern countries like Italy and Greece. It is still a very commonly used ingredient to this day.
Olive oil is most commonly used in salad dressings, sauces, meat cooking, pan cooking, and baking. However, there are many other ways to use olive oil, and some of them do not involve cooking.
There are many types of olives, and they all have their benefits. Extra-virgin olive oil is known to be the healthiest olive with the most high quality to it. Olive oil is high in healthy fats and has many health benefits, such as lowering inflation, risk of cancer, improving brain function, etc.
The process of making olive oil consists of more steps than you think but you can do it. The first step when making olive oil is picking the olives, you can also buy them at the store, buy fresh olives and make fresh olive oil. The best olives to use are greener and less ripe olives.
Once you have your olives, make sure they are clean and free of leaves and stems. The olives are then crushed using large millstones or steel drums. The paste is then slowly mixed to allow the oil droplets to combine, improving the extraction process.
The best way to store olive oil so it lasts a while is in a dark place, such as a dark cupboard or kitchen cabinet. However, it should not be stored in direct sunlight or near the stove, which can make the oil go bad quickly. You could also put it in the fridge, but the cooler temperature will cause it to turn a little foggy over time.
Overall, olive oil has a long shelf life. The expiry date, best-by date, or expiration date on olive oil is between 1 and 2 years and that also depends on storage conditions. The type of olive oil also depends on how long it will last. Extra virgin olive oil is known to last the longest compared to all the other olive oils.
If your olive oil smells rancid or has expired, you know it has gone bad. If it has a strong smell or even a sour taste, you know it has expired. To avoid this, make sure it is not exposed to air and is stored properly.
Olive oil is great for cooking and has many health benefits. Here are a few of them.
Lower risk of heart disease- Olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, which are very good for you. If you swap out vegetable oils or canola oil for a healthier option like olive oil, you will lower your risk of heart disease.
Gut Healthy-Olive is very healthy for you; not only does it lower your bad cholesterol but it increases your good cholesterol. It also has healthy monounsaturated fats, which are very good for you.
Skin Healthy—Olive oil is great for cooking, has a great taste, and can be good for you. It also has other external benefits. Olive oil can soften your skin, and many people put it in their sugar scrubs or even directly on it. It helps moisturize dry skin.
Olive oil can also help lower type 2 diabetes. Its monounsaturated fats help break down the sugar inside the body better.
Olive oil can be used for so many other things. One of my favorite uses is dressing salads. I will show you my favorite salad dressing.
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup of red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- salt
- pepper
All you have to do is whisk all of the ingredients together inside of a bowl until combined. It’s a super simple and delicious light salad dressing that you can use on so many other things.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
Q. Can olive oil have oxygen exposure?
A. Over time if olive oil has light exposure or is exposed to heat it may go rancid, and you do not want rancid olive oil.
Q. What is the ideal temperature olive oil should be kept at?
A. The ideal temperature that olive oil should be kept at is between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. High temperatures of olive oil may cause it to lose flavor and you want it to be the best quality.
Q. How long does an opened olive oil bottle last for?
A. An opened bottle of olive oil can typically last for 12 to 18 months. An unopened bottle of olive oil can last for 12 to 24 months.
Q. How can I tell if my olive oil has gone rancid?
A. Rancid olive oil often has a bitter or metallic taste and can smell unpleasant, sometimes described as smelling like old crayons.
Q. Where can you buy olive oil?
A. You can buy olive oil at any grocery store or market.
Q. What are olive oil bottles like?
A. Olive oil bottles are most likely glass clear bottles, although sometimes olive oil is kept in a dark-colored glass bottle. The bottle that olive oil comes in does not matter though.
Q. Where do olives grow?
A. Olives grow in countries from the Mediterranean like Italy and Greece, as well as continents like Asia and Africa. They grow on olive trees in dry areas.
Q. How popular is olive oil in the United States?
A. In the United States olive oil is very popular, it has over 15% of global consumption in the country.
Q. What are the best practices for storing olive oil?
A. Store olive oil in a dark glass or stainless steel container, in a cool, dark place like your pantry, away from any heat source.
Q. Why are smaller bottles of olive oil recommended?
A. Smaller bottles minimize air exposure, which contributes to the degradation of olive oil.
Q. What are the key factors that affect olive oil’s shelf life?
A. The key factors include the quality of the olive oil at bottling, how it’s stored, and the packaging.
Q. What are the enemies of olive oil?
A. The enemies of olive oil are air, light, and heat.
