The EVOO Funda

So what's all this hungama over EVOO? It's oil after all - And as any oil so is EVOO rich in cholesterol. So what makes EVOO better? And what's all this fuss about Extra Virgin? Can't it be just Olive Oil (Yeah, the blog is all about Extra Virgin Olive Oil) like coconut oil or canola oil - OK if you want to stress purity - could it not be just Virgin Olive Oil (virgin has another synonym and that is purity). So is there something called extra purity?

That's quite a lot of questioning about EVOO. Let’s take them all - 1 by 1. EVOO is rich in cholesterol - and its rich in High Density Cholesterol - er - in layman's term it’s the good cholesterol - the cholesterol that helps the heart. The HDL cholesterol count that is good to have is more than 50 counts in your blood! So our EVOO helps raise our heart friendly HLD cholesterol and that is what makes it so special. Mediterranean cuisine is rich in EVOO and it has been estimated that heart problems in this area is considerably less. Well everything has its limit in its usage - more EVOO could also harm the heart - so mind you - consume it in the apt quantity.

Olive Oil extracted from the olives in its raw state is said to be EVOO - the richest form that has the richest source of anti oxidants more than its other refined forms. Virgin Olive Oil, a little refined form, has lesser aroma and so do less anti oxidants and our Virgin Oil - has the least of the original olive oil characteristics. So if you want to use Olive Oil - shoot out for EVOO - as always the best proves to be the costliest. However your health knows no cost.

Now how do you choose and store Olive oil? If you want to keep the antioxidants level high in the olive oil after you have purchased it - run for a dark spot in your home - lights eat away the anti oxidants in the oil. Even when you buy EVOO in the shop - choose for the bottle far behind and not in the front row! And buy the oil in smaller quantities so that you use it well within a couple of months.