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Friday, July 3, 2009

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Fancy olive oil: worth the money?


I’m sure you’ve noticed that while some olive oil can be procured at the local supermarket for about five bucks a bottle, other options (often packaged in very pretty bottles suitable for flower arrangements) can cost more than a bunch of venti lattes and a good bottle of wine.

Green Table Blogger, Alexandra Guarnaschelli, provides some pretty useful tips to consider next time you’re out olive oil shopping. To wit: olive oils labeled “first cold pressing” or “extra virgin,” are worth more money because they’re difficult to make and taste the best. However, you don’t need to douse everything you cook with EVO—just use it for raw food preparations and alongside ingredients that won’t overpower it. Use cheaper stuff like canola oil when doing any high heat cooking because olive oil has a lower smoking point. And “light” olive oil, “pumace” olive oils and “pure” olive oil are all a crock—don’t waste your money on them (instead why not blow it on a bottle of wine and/or a week’s supply of lattes?).

If you want to cut the cost of fancy flavored olive oil, then just DIY. Here's a recipe for rosemary and parsley flavored olive oil.

Debunker’s verdict: Some olive oils are better than others—spend accordingly.
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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 14
  • Starter Kitchen's Avatar
    Posted by Starter Kitchen Tue Apr 1, 2008 8:09pm PDT

    "Use cheaper stuff like canola oil when doing any high heat cooking because olive oil has a lower smoking point."

    Most cooking you're going to be doing in the average consumer kitchen isn't going to reach temperatures that would make olive oil's smoking point a problem, and it is so much healthier than canola. A good cheap bottle of grocery store olive oil is probably a better bet for anything other than deep frying.

    (Side note: if you have thyroid problems you may want to stay away from canola oil since some brands contain glucosinolates that can act as a goitrogen)

    Report Abuse
  • Starter Kitchen's Avatar
    Posted by Starter Kitchen Tue Apr 1, 2008 8:15pm PDT

    Skip the lattes and splurge on a good bottle of wine, a good (small) bottle of cold-pressed olive oil, a small loaf of freshly baked bread, and a sliver of baked brie...mmmmmmmmmmm. Totally worth the caffeine withdrawal.

    Report Abuse
  • mamabearrl's Avatar
    Posted by mamabearrl Wed Apr 2, 2008 7:30am PDT

    thanks. The Greeks have always known that olive oil is good for you

    and they are right. I think they know what they are doing and

    I think you can't go wrong with Greek olive oil.

    Report Abuse
  • lecouerdunoir's Avatar
    Posted by lecouerdunoir Wed Apr 2, 2008 11:46am PDT

    umm canola oil tastes really bad fyi

    use the good stuff

    Report Abuse
  • lecouerdunoir's Avatar
    Posted by lecouerdunoir Wed Apr 2, 2008 11:46am PDT

    umm canola oil tastes really bad fyi

    use the good stuff

    Report Abuse
  • Dale S's Avatar
    Posted by Dale S Wed Apr 2, 2008 11:48am PDT

    Some friends just brought me some olive oil from California with "california olive oil council" seal. They've been doing some tasteing. I must say this is the best olive oil I have ever tasted. Figueroa Farms extra virgin olive oil. I've been using it with balamic vinegar for bread dip. To die for! Dale

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  • gf's Avatar
    Posted by gf Wed Apr 2, 2008 12:51pm PDT

    Something I learned to look for (at a taste test in an olive oil grove in Sicily)- the younger the oil, the better the flavor. I now look for oil that's actally dated, and is less than 1 year old. It's a major taste difference. I also only use it drizzled on bread, on grilled veggies, and wherever the taste will be prominent. It's also way too much money, so I use it sparingly. It's called Olio Verde, and you can find it at Whole Foods or online. Yum!!!

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  • redmoon.arts's Avatar
    Posted by redmoon.arts Wed Apr 2, 2008 2:13pm PDT

    Previous comment re: dangers of canola oil is taken almost word for word from an internet/urban legend hoax email. I assume it was posted in good faith to warn others, but please research before you risk passing on false information. A quick online search for "canola oil" will show the hoax info in top results, along with valid health info.

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  • gf's Avatar
    Posted by gf Wed Apr 2, 2008 3:20pm PDT

    http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/canola.asp The best site to debunk urban legends.

    Report Abuse
  • the thinker's Avatar
    Posted by the thinker Wed Apr 2, 2008 5:22pm PDT

    I just looked at the oil in my kitchen and threw it away since it was canola oil. Have enough health problems without adding more by using the canola oil in my food. Dee

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