Womens Thoughts

There are so many different types of oil available these days, but predominantly olive oil is one of the most commonly used, but do you ever wonder what the difference is between olive oil, virgin and extra virgin?

Olive oil is a fat, like butter or lard or corn oil. It is one of only two oils that come from fruit and that can be used without further processing (avocado oil is the other).

The olive press is considered to be as old as the wine press. Olive trees were first cultivated in ancient Syria, where they were valued for their fruit, but above all for their tremendously versatile oil, which was used for cooking, lighting, and in medicine. The trees spread throughout ancient world, and are found today all around the Mediterranean, as well as in similar climates worldwide.

                                                                            

There are many countries that grow and produce olives, Spain, Italy, Greece, France but Italy, particularly Tuscany is considered to have the finest quality of olives and oils.

Visit Frattoria La Vialla and take a look at their farm and production of olive growing as well as other delicious products.

The difference between the varieties is that virgin or extra virgin oil come from the first cold pressing of the olives.  This is more pure oil, ideal for use in salad dressings, drizzle over pasta and use in sauces.
The oil from olives that have been reduced to a paste after the first pressing to extract the last drop of oil are used mainly for sautéeing, frying and roasting.

Olive oil will keep for a very long time if you store correctly.  Two enemies of olive oil are heat and light, so remember to store in a cupboard below the worktop and not above the cooker.  Preferably buy olive oil that is sold in dark coloured glass and remember to tightly seal after every use.  Oil is a sponge for other flavours and odours.  

Another oil that is becoming popular is Rapeseed oil (also known as Canola oil) which relatively new grown in this country.

You will often see fields of yellow flowers that being the rapeseed flower, produced for this purpose.

                               
Again it is ideal for using in salad dressings, dips, marinades and baking.
Great Ness Oil is produced in Shropshire.

Keep a look out for our follow up article on the many different oils available for cooking.

Related articles:

Types of Vinegars and Uses

A TASTE OF ITALY

CIME DI RAPA - PASTA RECIPE

 

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