Olive oil is liquid gold on your table

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Our body needs fats for the coordinated work of all organs, beautiful skin, he althy hair and nails. But not all of them are good for he alth. So, butter and animal fat contribute to the formation of "bad" cholesterol. Their use in large quantities can lead to a number of problems with blood vessels, heart, pressure, joints. But there are other monounsaturated fats that work in a completely different way. They give us he alth, beauty and youthfulness of the skin. One of the most popular and he althy fats is olive oil. We'll talk about him.

"Gold" on your plate

"Liquid gold" - this is how the ancient poet Homer called olive oil. And the comparison is well deserved. Even in ancient Egypt, they identified and began to use the medicinal and cosmetic properties of this product, as well as actively use it in dietology. Today, the top three leading countries inThe production and export of olive oil includes Spain, Italy and Greece. The best olives are grown here, carefully selected to produce the highest quality oil. Hand harvesting is most valued, as the fruits remain whole, intact and do not oxidize longer.

How to choose the right grade of oil?

There are several main varieties of olive oil that are commercially available today. The leader in quality and taste is olive oil of the "extra vergine" category, that is, the first pressing without heating. Its acidity is no more than 1%, and the taste and aroma are rich and bright. In the first place in this category is the Greek olive oil produced in Crete, Lesbos and the Peloponnese. Next comes the "vergine" variety, which is slightly more acidic and is made from slightly inferior quality olives. In third place is a product obtained from a mixture of refined oil with natural. It is most often used for frying and other types of heat treatment of food. And finally, the cheapest type of oil is "di sansa", in which pomace oil is added. Of course, for salads it is better to take the product of the first category, and for cooking - the third.

Proper storage

In order to preserve the beneficial qualities and taste of olive oil, you need to store it in a glass bottle, preferably dark glass: this will protect the product from sunlight and oxidation. You should not keep it in the refrigerator, because throughfor some time it will harden, and lenses are formed. Although this way you can check how high-quality oil you have purchased.

Tastes differ

The taste and color of a product can tell a lot. The greenish hue is obtained from unripe fruits: this olive oil is usually bitter, but this is normal. The more ripe the olives used in production, the more intense yellow, even brownish, the finished product will have. It tastes very tender and sweet, as it has less acidity.

Good reasons to use olive oil

He alth

Now that you know how to choose the right flavor for your needs, let's talk about its he alth benefits. One of the most valuable qualities is the ability to reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood. It dilates blood vessels and thereby normalizes blood pressure. The use of cold-pressed oil has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gallbladder, helps to cleanse the liver. Monounsaturated fats are anti-inflammatory and can be a great way to prevent asthma and arthritis.

Outer beauty

Excellent olive oil "works" from the outside: masks from it nourish the hair, creams improve skin condition, scrubs gently exfoliate and moisturize. This product rightfully deserves special attention, so include it in your diet, for beauty and he alth.