Frequently Asked Questions
Steeped in history but still vital today, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar continue to remain essential in every household. Increasing in relevance as we learn more about their beneficial properties. It is difficult to imagine how we would live without EVOO and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar. Both are widely used to make everyday food items including sauces, condiments, salad dressings, antipasta, breads, relishes and much more.Our goal is to educate our customers on not just the uses for our oils and vinegars but the health benefits you receive from using them. To start out, we have put together this section to cover the most fundamental questions you may have after visiting one of our stores.
If you can't find the answer your looking for here, we encourage you to give us a call. Be sure you also check the "RECIPE & PAIRING SUGGESTIONS" section of our website for pairing ideas, seasonal recipes, and some additional information about storing and cooking with olive oil.
1. What is Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
The "extra" in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil ( EVOO) relates to the first cold pressing of the ripe green olives. EVOO is the highest premium grade for olive oil.
2. What does "FIRST PRESSING" & "COLD PRESSING" mean?
These terms are interchangeable. They are terms used in the past when initial pressure was applied by hard presses producing only a small amount of olive oil from the olive paste.
To extract even more oil, hot water was applied to the olive paste to improve the flow of the oil. Producers today use these terms to affirm that EVOO is an unrefined, natural product that has undergone very little processing, making it a top of the line oil.
3. Are the Extra Virgin Olive Oils sold by Outrageous Olive Oils 1st cold press?
Yes! All of our Outrageous Olive Oils are 1st cold pressed. Cold pressed is a chemical free process using only pressure, producing a higher quality olive oil that is lower in acidity. Also, our oils are all filtered, which leads to clearer oil with no residue at the bottom of the bottle.
4.What does the "EXTRA" mean in Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
The "Extra" in Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is the highest premium grade for olive oils. It is the best that you can buy. EVOO means it has less than 8% oleic acid.
5. How Should I store my Olive Oil?
Olive oil should be shored in a cool (70-75) dark place. Light and heat are 2 primary enemies of Olive Oil. Bottled in dark containers is also important to shield Olive Oil from harmful UV Rays and light. It should not be stored in the refrigerator.
6. How long will my olive oil stay fresh?
Freshness is the key to taste in Olive Oil and after 1 year you will begin to lose that fresh taste. The shelf life of Olive Oil decreases after a year, as all consumable products do. However, how your olive oil is stored can have a great impact on the shelf life of your olive oil.
7. Why is Extra Virgin Olive Oil superior to all other oil?
Taste and health benefits are the difference between Olive Oil and store bought vegetable oils. Vegetable oils are tasteless and add fat to your recipe. EVOO adds a fresh flavor, unique to itself, and is an healthy replacement for butter or margarine that will also add taste to your recipe.
EVOO is fresh pressed from the fruit of the olive tree, leaving the color, taste, vitamins and nutrients intact.
EVOO is popular for dipping breads, as well as for marinades and salad dressings. Because of the antioxidant components, olive oil keeps itself fresh longer than vegetable oil.
8. Can I replace "Butter" or "Margerine" with olive oil?
Yes! Next time a recipe calls for butter, replace it with olive oil. Replacing butter with high quality olive oil will not only taste better but it's a healthier way to eat.
Use this simple chart to convert the quantity of butter called for in a recipe to the required quantity of olive oil.
Butter = Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
1 TSP BUTTER = ¾ TSP of EVOO
2 TSP BUTTER = 1 ½ TSP of EVOO
1 TBSP BUTTER = 2 1/4 TSP of EVOO
2 TBSP BUTTER = 1 1/2 TBSP of EVOO
1/4 CUP = 3 TBSP of EVOO
1/2 CUP = 1/4 Cup + 2 TBSP of EVOO
1 CUP = 3/4 Cup of EVOO
9. What are the different grades of olive oil?
There are 5 different grades:
1) Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality rating with an acidity level of less than 1%
2) Virgin Olive Oil has an acidity level of less than 2%
3) Semi-fine Olive Oil has aroma, and taste defects. The acidity level is less than 3%
4) Olive Oil- An oil which is a blend of chemically refined and unrefined (canola or vegetable) oils. Considered unconsumable
10. What are the nutritional facts for Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
1-Tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil contains 120 calories, 14 grams of fat, no cholesterol, and no sodium.
77% of the fat in extra virgin olive oil is monounsaturated(more depending on the variatal of the olive), and 9% is polyunsaturated fat. 14% is vegetable derived saturated fat.
Extra Virgin olive oil also contains the antioxidants beta-carotene and vitamin E, as well as phenolic compounds tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol. extra virgin olive oils contains no salt and is naturally cholesterol free.
Studies show that when substituted for saturated fats, monounsaturated fats lower blood cholesterol, especially the "harmful" low density lipoproteins (LDL) while protecting the "good" high density lipoproteins (HDL).
11. How should I cook with Olive Oil?
EVOO can be used up to 400* degrees which is the smoking point. Some variatals are even higher. EVOO is also excellent for sauteing (300* degrees), or for sauces and frying(340* degrees).
EVOO is excellent for marinades, vinaigrettes and of course a always a great finishing oil to drizzle over your dish.
Cooking with a healthy olive oil that taste good to you, will make your dish more nutritious than cooking with butter.
12. What are the health benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
To summarize, what makes extra virgin olive oil so healthy is the high percentage of oleic acid, monounsaturated fat that helps prevent heart attacks and lower blood pressure. Studies also show that EVOO also seems to lower cancer risks.
It is recommended to take at least a Tablespoon of olive oil a day for health benefits.
EVOO studies also show that the polyphenols in olive oil have the highest activity to help prevent skin cancer, as well as excellent anti-aging properties for slowing the process of skin wrinkling.
13. How many olives does it take for 1 Quart of Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Ten pounds of olives. Can you believe that?