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You May Not Be Getting the High Quality Olive Oil You’re Paying For—Here’s Why

Brooke Nelson • June 17, 2018

Don’t let the labels fool you—that "pure extra virgin olive oil" may not be the top-shelf stuff you thought you were buying.

Listen up, olive oil users! Nutritionists have touted this heart-healthy superfood for ages. And given all of its supposed health benefits—not to mention the amazing things it does for our skin and hair —olive oil is basically the healthiest food you can eat. But that doesn’t mean the high quality extra virgin olive oil you just top dollar paid for is actually in the bottle.

Don’t worry—olive oil is still good for you (and here’s why !). But labels on extra virgin olive oil don’t always tell the whole truth.

After testing name-brand products packaged as “extra virgin olive oil,” a 2012 study by the University of California found that nearly 70 percent of the extra virgin olive oil sold in the U.S. is not up to snuff. Although almost all of the brands passed the USDA chemical standards, over half of them failed the sensory requirements.

The term “extra virgin” refers to the process by which the oil is manufactured. Among the four possible grades of olive oil, virgin oil earns the highest grade because it tastes and smells better. However, researchers at the University of California noted that several of the tested brands had flavors and aromas that were rancid or musty. They even classified some of them as lamp oil, which is considered unfit for human consumption by the USDA.

“Results of this study make it very clear that efforts to control the quality of extra virgin olive oils served in restaurants and other food-service operations will likely fail if they are based only on the most commonly used chemical analyses,” said Dan Flynn, executive director of the UC Davis Olive Center and a co-author of the study.

To avoid lesser quality oils, check the bottle’s label before you buy. Some non-extra virgin olive oils tested in the study were actually olive oil mixed with refined canola oil.

According to the study’s findings, it would be smart to avoid extra virgin olive oil packaged or sold by Newman’s Own, Whole Foods, Safeway, and Star, as they were found in tests to be not 100 percent pure. However, you can trust that olive oil from Kirkland Organic, Lucini, California Olive Ranch, Lucero, and Cobram Estate are top notch.

For the complete article: https://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/buying-subpar-olive-oil/



All about extra virgin olive oil...

June 22, 2021
This recognition corroborates the one recently received as the best #EVOO of the 2020-21 Harvest in the Estepa Denomination of Origin contest, which was organized by its Regulatory Council. To this award is added the recognition of its high quality achieved in competitions in NEW YORK, CANADA and JAPAN. This excellent EVOO was cold extracted in our mills from Lora de Estepa in November, using only early-harvest organic Hojiblanca olives. The result is a very fruity EVOO, with aromas reminiscent of green olives and hits of ripe olives, freshly grass and artichoke. Spiciness and bitterness are mild and balanced, and there is a hint of sweetness. EGREGIO is available in gourmet stores and in the online store: https://www.egregioextravirgin.com/store
May 27, 2021
This recognition corroborates the one recently received as the best #EVOO of the 2020-21 Harvest in the Estepa Denomination of Origin contest, which was organized by its Regulatory Council. This excellent EVOO was cold extracted in our mills from Lora de Estepa in November, using only early-harvest organic Hojiblanca olives. The result is a very fruity EVOO, with aromas reminiscent of green olives and hits of ripe olives, freshly grass and artichoke. Spiciness and bitterness are mild and balanced, and there is a hint of sweetness. EGREGIO is available in gourmet stores and in the online store: https://www.egregioextravirgin.com/store
EGREGIO Organic EVOO by Oleoestepa gets the award for the best EVOO of the Estepa Designation of Or
By websitebuilder March 23, 2021
The Estepa Protected Designation of Origin has celebrated the first edition of the award for the quality of extra virgin olive oil produced in its territory. The award for the best EVOO of the Estepa PDO for the 2020/21 harvest campaign has gone to one of the associated oil mills of Oleoestepa SCA, named San José de Lora de Estepa oil mill. Oleoestepa bottle the awarded EVOO under the brand of organic extra virgin olive oil EGREGIO , a Premium reference available in gourmet stores and its online store by clicking here . EGREGIO EVOO comes from organic farming, early harvest and cold extraction. It presents a complex and balanced profile, very fruity, with a diversity of aromas reminiscent of green olives, with hints of ripe olives, fresh grass, green leaf, artichoke and green branch wood. In the mouth, the spiciness and bitterness stand out, harmonious and very balanced, complemented with a touch of sweetness. The contest organized by the Estepa Denomination of Origin is based on two unique milestones that are not presented in any other contest in the world. First of all, participants must have a deposit of at least 40,000 kg of extra virgin olive oil, which forces participants to have a high level of generalized demand in its production. Secondly, all the oils presented must comply with the specifications of the Estepa Designation of Origin, the most demanding in the world on certifying the high quality of an extra virgin olive oil. This award recognizes the great work of the associated oil mills located in the territory protected by the Estepa Designation of Origin in the development of a sustainable olive grove and an extra virgin olive oil of the highest quality.
By Borja Fernández February 3, 2021
It´s important that we know the definition of organic extra virgin olive oil, which is: “oil that comes from organic farming, a production system that uses agricultural methods that respect nature and the environment, with very strict rules on the use of herbicides, pesticides and synthetic chemical fertilizers” Egregio Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced in Estepa, a small town in the south of Spain where each olive is harvested in a sustainable way while protecting nature and the environment as much as possible. For us, the most important thing about extra virgin olive oil is not only the quality but also how the oil has been harvested and produced. Here you have just a few reasons to consume Egregio Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: - Avoid chemicals. ... - Benefit from more nutrients. ... - Enjoy better taste. ... - Avoid GMOs. ... - Preserve our ecosystems. ... - Reduce pollution and protect the quality of the water and soil. ... - Preserve agricultural diversity. From Egregio we encourage you to consume organic extra virgin olive oil and enjoy its benefits!
By Borja Valdecasas January 25, 2021
Did you know that great olive oil is the opposite of great wine? While some quality wine gets better over time, all great extra virgin olive oil gets worse. The fresher the better. Consuming fresh extra virgin olive oil will allow you to experience the most all of the amazing flavors and aromas, adding more flavor to each dish. Consuming fresh harvest oil also ensures low levels of oxidation, high content of polyphenols and oleic acid, which have a direct impacts on your health. Our November 2020 harvest Fresh Egregio Extra Virgin Olive Oil has just arrived! Egregio Intense for hearty plates such as meats or veggies, Egregio Delicate for fish or poultry, and Egregio Organic for your everyday needs. All Egregio Extra Virgin Olive Oil is farmed sustainably from our family of farmers.
By Borja Fernández November 26, 2020
Preparation: For the stuffing: 1. Cut the bread into small cubes, dice the onion and celery and chop the parsley. 2. Bake the bread in the oven for several minutes until golden. 3. Heat the Egregio delicate fruit olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion and celery until soft. 4. Mix the onion and celery with the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. For the turkey: 1. Preheat the oven to 325ºF (165ºC). 2. Mix the Egregio delicate fruit olive oil with the garlic, rosemary, basil, oregano, parsley, onion powder, thyme, red pepper flakes, black pepper and salt in a bowl. Set aside. 3. Wash the turkey inside and out. Leave it to dry. 4. Remove any large fat deposits and gently loosen the skin from the breast without tearing it, working your fingers into the area between the breast and skin. 5. Place the stuffing inside the turkey cavity. 6. Spread the Egregio delicate fruit olive oil and herb mixture over the outside of the turkey and between the breast and skin. 7. Place the turkey in a roasting pan with a rack and put it in the oven. Add about half a cup of water to the bottom of the pan and leave the turkey to roast for three to four hours. Ingredients For the turkey: • 1 whole turkey (about 4kg) • 250ml Egregio delicate fruit extra virgin olive oil • 3 tablespoons minced garlic • A pinch of chopped fresh rosemary • A pinch of chopped fresh basil • A pinch of dried oregano • A pinch of dried parsley • A pinch of onion powder • A pinch of dried thyme • A pinch of red pepper flakes • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper • Salt to taste For the stuffing: • 450g crusty bread • 2 onions • Two celery stalks • 50g fresh parsley • 1 teaspoon dried sage • 1 teaspoon dried thyme • Salt to taste • Pepper to taste • 2 eggs • 50ml chicken broth
By websitebuilder July 9, 2020
Portions: 4 Time of preparation: 30 minutes Ingredients: 6 large eggs ½ cup ricotta cheese ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese ¼ teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper to taste ¼ cup chopped spring onion ¼ cup of EGREGIO Extra Virgin Olive Oil Intense Fruit 2 small zucchini, or one larger one, washed and sliced into thin rounds (about 3/4 pound) Preparation: In a large bowl beat the eggs until frothy. Add the Ricotta and Parmesan and beat to combine. Add the salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside. Heat the EVOO in a 10-inch oven-proof stick-free skillet on medium high. When the oil is hot and begins to shimmer, add the chopped spring onions, sauté for a minute. Then add the zucchini slices. Stir so that the zucchini slices are all coated with some of the oil. Cook, stirring only occasionally (if you stir too much the zucchini won't brown), until the zucchini slices are lightly browned, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat. Remove zucchini slices from the pan with tongs or a slotted spoon to a bowl. Let cool for 30 seconds or so, and then stir the zucchini slices to the egg mixture. Reheat the skillet. There should be a couple of tablespoons of oil left in the pan, if not, add some. When the oil is hot, pour the egg mixture into the pan. Do not stir it. Reduce the heat to medium. Let the egg mixture cook. Run a spatula along the edge of the frittata, separating the cooked edges from the pan. Let the egg mixture cook until the bottom is golden brown and the top is beginning to set, about 5-6 minutes. Set the top rack 5 inches from the heating element in the oven. Preheat the oven broiler. Once the top of the frittata has started to set in the pan on the stove top, remove the pan from the stove and place it in the oven. With the broiler on, the door of the oven needs to be open. You can let the pan's handle stick out from the oven through the open door. Cook under the broiler until the top starts to become lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Alternatively, instead of using the broiler, you can place a plate face-down on top of the skillet. Flip the skillet over to release the frittata on to the plate. Then slide the frittata from the plate back on to the skillet. Let cook for a couple of minutes more until the bottom side gets browned. Slide the frittata out of the skillet onto a serving plate. Let cool for a minute or two and serve. Serves 2 to 3. For more details about Egregio Intense Fruit -click here-
By Emma Christensen July 9, 2020
Milk, lemon juice, and about a half-hour of your time — that’s all you need to make a batch of fresh, creamy homemade ricotta.
By Olivia Green April 9, 2020
This is a delicious and easy to prepare variation of the classic cornbread recipe with carrot, walnuts and the exquisite aroma of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
By Olivia Green March 18, 2020
In the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic our planet is going through, it is very important to highlight what the nutritional and food-based dietary guidelines are, specially to maintain and to strength the immunological system of our older adults, and in general, of all the population.
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