What is EVOO Food?
Extra virgin olive oil, or EVOO Food, must meet strict standards before businesses can incorporate it into their products. The International Olive Council provides a clear definition that most countries generally adhere to, despite potential differences in national standards.
The IOC’s definition
A very good extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is one that has a free acidity of no more than 0.8 grams per 100 grams and all the other qualities set out in the 10C standard, according to the International Olive Council.
For those unfamiliar with olive oil, this description is useless, but it’s sufficient for those who oversee EVOO food in different countries. For those who are curious about the definitions and characteristics of the many varieties of olive oil and their numerous applications, the International Olive Oil website provides further information and descriptions. It will provide you with a sense of the criteria on which many nations and regions that manufacture EVOO base their regulations.
EVOO in food
The flavors that captivate the senses capture the quality of a fantastic dinner. You may be aware that using extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in your cooking is the healthiest method to prepare your meals, but did you also know that it elevates the culinary status of your cuisine by enhancing its flavors?
For instance, using extra virgin olive oil for frying produces the ideal fried foods. Olive oil’s consistency and high stability, due to its slow absorption, are crucial for achieving a crispy crust without overpowering oil flavor. The outcome is an amazing fried meal. Using sunflower oil produces the opposite outcome: because of its excessive absorption in food, sunflower oil consistently gives the same flavor to fried items.
Another important aspect of EVOO cuisine is the amazing way that different types of oils mix with particular meals. Instead of overpowering the flavor of food, the scent of olive oil improves and balances it. This is the key to all of our recipes: I use oil that works well with certain foods. This flavor-enhancing effect is not present when cooking with butter or other types of oil; on the contrary, dishes may lack a range of flavors.
The benefits and flavor of extra virgin olive oil convince us. We refer to EVOO as “liquid gold” because its use in cuisine is truly remarkable.
Olive Oil Classifications
EVOO food is the purest olive oil, but there are others. In the US, there are five different categories for olive oil. Since it’s the highest quality in terms of categorization, many professional cooks use EVOO, especially in Italy and Greece.
- The purest product that consumers often use for cooking is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). It is superior to the other classes in terms of flavor and odor. It is generally healthier as well.
- Virgin olive oil is the most commonly used type of olive oil. For those who are not familiar with the differences, virgin olive oil could serve as a suitable alternative to extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) due to its lower cost.
- You can’t sell Lampante virgin olive oil for human use. The adverse taste and smell are so unpleasant that people are unlikely to try to consume it. Typically, people further process or use this olive oil for other purposes before consuming it.
- Although refined olive oil is the end result of more refinement, the product’s original glyceridic structure remains unchanged. It has neither taste nor smell.
- Blended olive oil is a type of olive oil that often combines virgin and refined olive oil. You can add it to a variety of recipes, and it’s safe for human consumption.
EVOO Specifications
Regardless of the organization or nation that designates it, EVOO shares several characteristics. Despite frequent claims that it tastes better than virgin olive oil, the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) designation requires a product to meet several standards related to its chemical composition and production process.
Countries such as Greece and Italy employ the following chemical criteria to appropriately label their goods as EVOO food.
- The product’s free fatty acidity cannot be more than 0.8%.
- Peroxide concentrations cannot be more than 20 milliequivalents per kilogram.
- UV absorption must be less than 0.01 for Delta K, 0.22 for K270, and 2.5 for K232.
The manufacturing process additionally has to conform to several very strict rules.
- The final product may only contain olives harvested from olive trees.
- Throughout the process, the manufacturer cannot introduce any heat or solvents.
- You can only centrifuge, filter, decant, and wash the fruit.
- The process temperature needs to stay below 27°C (80°F).
We also subject some EVOO food to taste testing to ensure it has no defects that would require its designation as virgin olive oil. Even if a product seems to pass several of the other criteria, its taste or smell might occasionally give the impression that it is subpar.
The Middle Ages and Now
The Middle Ages saw the continued use of EVOO as food, albeit with less spectacular production than during the Roman era. For a long time, people used the fruit only for lighting and celebrations.
Olive oil production started to expand to other temperate regions after the Modern Era. For instance, even after the establishment of new commercial routes to the Atlantic and Northern Europe, its use remained limited to food and lighting.
Oil production has been introducing innovations since the 18th century, providing a preview of the amazing transformations brought about by the industrial revolution.
Present
It is surprising to learn that the usage of extra virgin olive oil has increased over the past century and has now reached every continent. Considering that seven nations account for 90% of global output, EVOO has no plans to stop.
As countries like the US and Australia produce more of this amazing EVOO, its production continues to grow. Knowing a little bit about EVOO’s history can help you appreciate its significance throughout our lives.
Notably, We Olive, a highly regarded olive oil retailer, has set themselves the goal of creating genuine California olive oil because they want more people to benefit from it and always have it accessible.
EVOO and Olive Oil: What’s the Difference?
Are you aware that not all olive oils are of the highest caliber? Many of them only say olive oil or virgin olive oil, so you should check the label carefully if you’re buying one or want to give it to someone who loves olive oil. However, the term “extra virgin” indicates a superior quality compared to others.
Extra virgin olive oil, or EVOO food, is unique in that it is unprocessed, meaning that it has not undergone chemical reactions that would change its advantageous qualities. People claim it to be devoid of organoleptic flaws such as color, flavor, and scent. Despite its artisanal processing, it must adhere to laws and quality requirements to ensure its authenticity. Many have earned reputable certifications, such as the California Olive Oil Council (COOC), as a result of these standards.
Instead, labels that simply state “olive oil” suggest that the product has undergone advanced processing. This chemical procedure eliminates some fruit flaws, but it may also impact other aspects of the fruit. For instance, it is lighter in color, has a somewhat greater oleic acid content, and often has a milder flavor. As a result, olive oil often has fewer.
How do you make EVOO?
Although EVOO food is simply the juice of olives, this method is far more complex than that. It requires more than just filtration, even though oil makes up about one-third of the olive pulp. A time-consuming process is necessary to maintain its culinary depth and healthful qualities. We will now discuss the steps that its development must go through.
- Selection of fruits
You can use a variety of olives, including Arbequina, Picual, and Hojiblanca, among others, to make EVOO. To produce extra virgin olive oil, the crop must be healthy, with only ripe and entire olives selected between six and eight months. The fruit often reaches its maximum oil content at this moment.
- Getting the olive ready
After slicing, we carefully clean the olive and remove any branches, leaves, or other items that might have gotten inside to prepare it for the procedure. The goal is to minimize the amount of time that passes between harvesting and grinding to prevent premature oxidation and maintain the quality of the extra virgin olive oil.
- Broken
Hammer mills typically crush or grind the olive. You can use these to rupture the oil cells and initiate the distillation process. Occasionally, people pound the resulting mass with oil and bone water to extract the oil and alpechlen, a black liquid unfit for human consumption.
- Decantation and cold extraction
This is a crucial step in separating paste from oil. You can use either pushing or spinning methods. By separating the oil from the paste and water, the second procedure involves adjusting the oil’s density. We perform this procedure at temperatures below 35° to preserve quality.
- Shifting
Often, a second filtration follows decantation before storage. This results in the removal of contaminants and the creation of an ideal EVOO. The achieved color may vary depending on the type and maturity, but it consistently exhibits a brilliant hue and even golden lines.
- Stored
We store freshly produced extra virgin olive oil in large stainless steel tanks. You must keep these tanks out of direct sunlight, away from strong scents, and maintain a consistent temperature of 15°.
- Taste
Two tastings or professional verifications are often required for quality verification. Firstly, we evaluate key elements such as the oil’s fruitiness using defined criteria. This confirms the product’s suitability for human consumption.
- Bottles
Next, they prepare the extra virgin olive oil for bottling. To encourage proper oil storage, the majority of producers use dark colored, hermetically sealed glass bottles. But there are also metal or plastic bottle replicas.
- Verification of quality
A final filter must be approved before the bottled product may be marketed. Professional tasters assess the product’s organoleptic properties and decide if the conditions warrant labeling it as “extra virgin.”
- Marketing and conservation
Despite the lack of advertising, we advise storing it out of direct sunlight and at temperatures no higher than 20°. Store warehouses are no different. This allows us to send an EVOO in ideal condition to the end user.
Advantages of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Authentic extra virgin olive oil has several health advantages. These are some advantages that will encourage you to utilize it more frequently.
- Reduce your cholesterol. Monounsaturated acids, which are present in extra virgin olive oil, can lower LDL cholesterol levels without compromising HDL cholesterol, which is beneficial cholesterol.
- It promotes the development of healthy bones. A study found that taking EVOO regularly helps prevent fractures and bone loss.
- Look after your heart. Because EVOO includes antioxidants that battle the appearance and preserve the heart and arteries, it slows down the accumulation of fat in the blood vessels.
- It helps to keep your blood pressure under control. Maintaining a nutritious diet full of vegetables and greens is essential for controlling blood pressure. Since EVOO is made entirely of vegetables, you may also add it.
- It aids in the maintenance of control over diabetes. EVOO reduces glucose levels, inhibits the generation of pancreatic insulin, and postpones the standard diabetic therapy.
- It reduces the risk of developing breast cancer. Antioxidants and oleic acid reduce host activity and promote the death of cancer cells.
- It effectively alleviates persistent discomfort. Similar to medications such as ibuprofen and paracetamol, EVOO functions as a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
- Prevents aging. Real olive oil contains a significant amount of polyphenols. This aids in the prevention of degenerative illnesses like Alzheimer’s. Applying it directly to the skin also minimizes dark spots, slows photoaging, and protects against free radicals.
- It serves as an excellent source of K and E vitamins. 100 grams of EVOO can provide 96% of the daily required amount of vitamin E, an antioxidant. Additionally, they can supply half of your daily requirement for vitamin K, which promotes bone density.
Evoo’s food recipes
1. EVOO Garlic Pasta
Ingredients:
- 400 g of spaghetti or linguine
- 4 tablespoons EVOO
- 4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced.
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Add salt to taste.
Instructions:
output:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Heat EVOO in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until golden.
- Stir in red pepper flakes and pasta water. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Toss in cooked pasta and mix well. Garnish with parsley and Parmesan.
2. EVOO Lemon Dressing for Salads
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons EVOO
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Drizzle over your favorite salad greens or roasted vegetables.
3. Roasted Vegetables with EVOO
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, carrots, etc.)
- 3 tablespoons EVOO
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss vegetables with EVOO and seasonings.
- Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes.
EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) is a versatile and healthy ingredient that adds a rich flavor to various dishes. Here are some delicious recipes featuring EVOO:
4. EVOO Chocolate Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup EVOO
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup water or coffee
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch pan.
- In a bowl, mix dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.
5. EVOO Dipping Sauce for Bread
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup EVOO
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Serve with fresh bread or focaccia.
Conclusion
To sum up, EVOO food meals are an excellent addition to any diet because of their many health advantages and creative adaptability. Not only can adding extra virgin olive oil to your food improve its flavor, but it also improves your general health. Keep in mind that selecting premium goods and utilizing them sensibly in your cooking is important for maximizing the benefits of EVOO Food.