Olive oil is among the healthiest cooking oils, largely as a result of it’s wealthy in monounsaturated fat and their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Sadly, it’s additionally a standard goal for meals fraud, says Olmsted.
“Olive oil is straightforward to adulterate, and it’s troublesome or inconceivable to check for authenticity,” explains David Dellanave, an olive-oil importer primarily based in Minneapolis. The pretend stuff is usually diluted with cheaper oils, comparable to sunflower, canola, soybean, or hazelnut oil.
Discovering Actual Additional-Virgin Olive Oil
The easiest way to search out the actual deal is to study from a trusted supply what good olive oil tastes like. “If a retailer gained’t allow you to style check the oil, go some place else to purchase it,” advises Dellanave. “The one dependable technique to know that you just’re getting olive oil is by understanding your supply.”
Another choice is to skip the imported stuff and search for the California Olive Oil Council seal. Olive growers in California, which produces roughly 99 p.c of home olive oil, submit their product for chemical evaluation and style testing earlier than getting the stamp of approval. (Get extra EVOO ideas at “Find out how to Discover Actual Additional-Virgin Olive Oil.”)
Be careful for imposters amongst a few of your favourite meals, and discover ways to make sure you’re shopping for the actual deal, by studying “Find out how to Discover Actual Honey, Espresso, Additional-Virgin Olive Oil, Parmesan Cheese, and Maple Syrup,” from which this text was excerpted.
