What Is Cold Pressed Olive Oil?
The modern market is overflowing with different kinds of olive oil. There are many ways you can use them in the kitchen, and they undoubtedly bring many benefits to your health. The terms that usually get the most attention from customers are “extra virgin” and “cold pressed”. But what do these terms really mean?
The general definition of cold pressed olive oil is that the product was extracted at low temperatures. There are legislations that state which temperatures the process cannot exceed to earn the label. It also means that the olives and pits used in the process are fresh and did not go through any heating process.
This is why cold pressed olive oil retains the natural smell and taste of olives. After all, cold pressing is a process that has been taking place for many years throughout history. Currently, companies use modern machinery to make the process easier. However, it is still the same process our ancestors developed.
All ILIADA extra virgin olive oils are cold pressed and retain the best and most important qualities from fresh ingredients. They keep the golden green colour and can become a delicious addition to your daily diet or health routine. The slightly bitter taste and green aroma will transport you to sunny Greece from the comfort of your dining table.
We understand that you may still have many questions about the cold pressing process and the benefits it brings to the final bottle of olive oil. Here are answers to the most burning questions and more.
How Is Cold Pressed Olive Oil Made?
In general, cold pressing means that no extra heat is used to extract the olive oil in the process. There are legislations on what terms can be used on a bottle of olive oil and what criteria the oil needs to fulfil. According to the legislation, extra virgin cold pressed olive oil cannot exceed a temperature of 27°C during the process. If the temperature gets any higher, the oil would not be legally able to use the term on a label.
The process begins by washing all the olives. It is necessary to get rid of all the leaves, twigs and dirt so it does not taint the final product. Then, stainless steel rollers turn all the olives and pits into a paste. At this step, it is necessary to watch the temperatures carefully. Then, it is time to add water to the paste slowly. The water helps droplets of oil to get together. This way, it is much easier to extract them later on.
During this part of the process, the oil infuses a flavour from the olives, and it is what makes the final product tastier. To ensure that the product does not oxidise, mixing takes place in closed chambers with no oxygen. Finally, the paste gets into a spinning stage where water and oil separate.
What Makes Cold Pressed Olive Oil Different From Others?
If you would like to compare it to normal olive oil, which is a mixture of refined olive oil and virgin or extra virgin olive oil, the differences are quite significant. Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil retains much more colour, flavour and smell from the fresh olives used in the process.
Cold pressed oil also retains more vitamins and nutrients than regular olive oil, which is extracted by heat. Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil contains a high amount of vitamins E and K, which are beneficial mainly for your immunity and bone health. It is also packed with healthy fats, which can help you to improve levels of bad cholesterol and regulate blood pressure.
Extra virgin olive oils from ILIADA are also suitable to be added to your meal straight from the bottle. They will elevate any of your salads and dressings in a matter of seconds. Normal olive oil has a slightly higher smoking point, so it can be used in cooking on low heat or baking. However, we don’t recommend normal olive oil for drizzling or salad dressings.
How Can You Use Cold Pressed Olive Oil?
You can quite easily include cold pressed olive oil in your daily diet. There are many recipes in which you can use it to improve the overall taste of the dish. It is suitable for roasting, baking and sautéing. However, cold pressed olive oil is also an ideal ingredient for salads, dressings, marinades and sauces.
If you would like to make the oil a more significant part of your diet, it does not need to be difficult. When cooking, start by replacing butter or lard with a bit of olive oil. You can also liven up your pasta dinner with homemade pesto or mix up your own salad dressing instead of buying one in the shop.
Extra virgin olive oil can also be used in different ways besides cooking. It has highly moisturising effects on the skin and fights bacteria. Including a bit of olive oil in your skincare routine can help you fight acne and kill the bacteria that causes spots. Applying cold pressed extra virgin olive oil can also improve the condition of your hair. It can help you to fix split ends and make your hair feel more hydrated.
Why Should You Invest In Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
When you see the term on a label, you know that the manufacturer is legally obliged to watch the temperatures throughout the cold pressing process. Overall, adding cold pressed extra virgin olive oil to your household is a simple yet effective change you can make for your health.
You can easily use it to enrich your daily diet with valuable vitamins and nutrients to improve your overall health. It will also add to the taste with the slightly bitter undertones.
Finding a good cold pressed extra virgin olive oil is not too difficult as you will recognise it by its green colouring, smell and taste. At ILIADA, we ensure that all of our award-winning extra virgin olive oils are of the highest quality and comply with the legislation.
If you want to bring a piece of Greece to your home, order your bottle of cold pressed extra virgin olive oil today. Once you try it, you will never want to go back.
