Which Olive Oil Is The Best For Cooking?
So, you are shopping online, or at the local farmers market, and you see some delicious-looking olive oil. Everyone has been raving about the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil. You decide to buy some. But, which one should you buy? Which olive oil is the best for salads? What about cooking? Can you even cook with olive oil? Should you cook with olive oil? If you have ever asked yourself these questions, well here are the answers.
Can I cook with olive oil?
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is an excellent choice for cooking most things due to its flavor and its health benefits, but also because of its smoke point. Olive oil’s smoke point, which is the temperature at which the oil starts to break down and produce smoke, varies but generally falls between 350°F to 410°F (175°C to 210°C), which is decently high.
This means you can use EVOO for any low to medium-heat cooking method such as sautéing, roasting, baking, and light frying. It adds depth and a unique flavor to dishes while retaining its beneficial nutrients and antioxidants.
However, for high-heat cooking like deep-frying or searing at very high temperatures, an oil with a higher smoke point such as avocado oil or peanut oil would be a better option.
Ultimately, using extra virgin olive oil for low to medium-heat cooking can enhance the flavor of dishes while providing numerous health benefits, making it a popular choice among many chefs and home cooks.
Which olive oil is the best for cooking?
To start with, ensure that the oil you are getting is pure olive oil and certified extra virgin that is less than twelve months from its harvest date. That way you’ll know you are using the highest quality and the freshest olive oil. Next, try to get it locally or if you don’t live near an olive growing area get it from a reputable farm online. Purchasing olive oil from the nearest geographical area is going to keep its carbon footprint as small as possible.
As far as variety goes, you really can’t go wrong, and there are numerous ones to choose from. Arbequinna, Ascolano, Mission, Koroneiki, Sevillano, Picual, just to name a few.
It comes down to which flavor profile you like. Taste as many different varieties of olive oil as you can to figure out which you like best and cook with it. Olive oil flavor can vary greatly just as wine does. Light, buttery, grassy, herbaceous, peppery, fruity, tart, you name it. You may discover that you like something light and buttery for cooking but something herbaceous and peppery for your bread dipping or salad dressing. It is all about personal preference and exploring what you like and don’t like.
I recommend tasting olive oil with bread, like a French baguette, or by simply taking a spoonful of it. If you do the latter slurp it into your mouth, swirl it around, and get a feel for how your taste buds react to it. You may feel rediculous doing so but I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the nuances of flavor you will pick up by tasting it on its own.
In summary, extra virgin olive oil is an excellent cooking oil and makes for a wonderful cooking experience. If you would like to try our own small-batch estate-grown extra virgin olive oil visit our store.
Happy cooking and happy eating!
