What makes oil virgin

September 13, What makes an olive oil "extra-virgin" instead of "virgin"? Note that in North America, virgin olive oil is not generally not sold at retail. Download our guide to olive oil standards PDF Fore more information on olive oil grading and standards, watch the video below.

Olive Oil and the Plant-Forward Kitchen. Olive Oil Myths and Facts. The North American Olive Oil Association is committed to supplying North American consumers with quality products in a fair and competitive environment; to fostering a clear understanding of the different grades of olive oil; and to expounding the benefits of olive oil in nutrition, health, and the culinary arts.

Pure olive oil is a blend of extra virgin olive oil and processed oils. People can check the label to find out exactly what is in the oil before buying it. Some light virgin oils are a blend, too. Light oils are often processed and refined, which strips down the color as well as the flavor. Processing makes the oil last longer, and it also makes it possible to heat the oil to a higher temperature, which is good for cooking.

However, it adds chemicals and takes out nutrients. The best place to store olive oil is somewhere cool, dry, and dark. It is best to place it somewhere where it will not get radiant heat, either from appliances or the sun. Doing this will keep the oil fresh for longer. When using oil for cooking, it is important to keep the heat level in mind.

The smoke point is the temperature at which the oil begins to break down, become carcinogenic, and release smoke into the air. In other words, it is when the oil starts to burn.

The American Heart Association AHA say that the following oils are relatively healthful for cooking and preparing food:.

They recommend using these fats instead of solid fats, such as butter, shortening, or lard, and tropical oils, such as palm and coconut oil, as these types can have a lot of saturated fat. Read more about the best oils for frying here. Extra virgin olive oil is the least processed form of olive oil. Due to this, it retains its natural antioxidants and vitamins, which are often lost during processing. This makes it a more healthful oil than regular olive oil but also makes it a little more expensive.

In general, oils that contain MUFAs, which include olive oil, are a healthful addition to the diet, especially when people use them to replace sources of saturated and trans fats. However, it is best to eat high fat foods in moderation. Even healthful fats are low in nutrients and high in calories. Fats are an essential component of nutrition, alongside carbohydrates and protein. The key is choosing the healthful, unsaturated fats. There are many…. Unfortunately the terms, "extra virgin olive oil" and "virgin olive oil" usually have very little meaning.

The quality of an olive oil is very subjective and a lack of useful quantifiable attributes makes regulation almost impossible. The flavor and cooking properties of olive oil are factors of the fruit quality and the processing methods.

Extra virgin could mean first press of the olive. Of good quality. A light pressing. To mash the olives. Next the pits are removed. Then a repress of the meat for oil. Virgin oil. Next the pits are pressed. Centrifuges are used today. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group.

Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. What do "virgin" and "extra virgin" mean in regards to olive oil? Ask Question. Asked 11 years, 4 months ago. Active 9 months ago. Viewed 97k times. Improve this question. James e. James 1 1 gold badge 7 7 silver badges 9 9 bronze badges. A very good question, an answer on Youtube — BaffledCook. Related: Whats the difference between olive oil, and extra virgin olive oil, and virgin olive oil?