How to Choose the Right Olive Oil for You
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A staple of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is a versatile food that you’re guaranteed to find in every Italian household. Not only is it used to cook with, but it’s commonly used to drizzle over pasta and salads. And beyond its versatility, olive oil also has a host of health benefits. Chock-full of antioxidants and healthy fats, adding olive oil to your diet can help boost your heart health, fight inflammation and lower your risk of stroke.
But browsing the shelves at Graceway Supermarkets, you’ll quickly find there isn’t just one kind of olive oil. What exactly is the difference between regular and extra virgin olive oil, anyway?
As part of our recent Taste of Italy launch, our stores now offer a variety of authentic Italian olive oils. Here’s what you’ll find at Graceway Supermarkets, and how to choose the right olive oil for you.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Considered the highest quality olive oil, extra virgin olive oil goes through the least amount of processing. The label “cold-pressed” means that the oil is produced without heat or additional chemicals. That means that this kind of oil is not only the most nutritious, but also the most flavourful of olive oils available. With its bolder taste, extra virgin olive oil is ideal for adding flavour to your meals whether by drizzling it on your salad or using it as a dipping oil. By using it raw rather than cooking with it, you’ll also preserve its nutrients.
At Graceway Supermarkets, you can choose from extra virgin olive oil by Italian brands Farchioni and Il Casolare.
Regular Olive Oil
Regular (also known as pure) olive oil is a combination of cold-pressed and processed oils, which means it’s treated with some heat and chemicals to remove flavour defects. The refining process reduces levels of certain nutritious compounds, but the oil remains a good source of antioxidants and nutrients.
If you prefer olive oil with a milder taste, then regular olive oil is for you as the bold flavour of the olives is lessened by the refining process. Regular olive oil is also ideal for cooking.
Look for authentic Italian Farchioni olive oil next time you’re browsing the shelves at Graceway Supermarkets.
Organic (or Biologico) Extra Virgin Olive Oil
If you prefer to buy organic, you’re in luck—Graceway Supermarkets also carries an organic extra virgin olive oil courtesy of the Italian brand Farchioni. This simply means you get the same high-quality extra virgin olive oil, but safe in the knowledge that the olives used were cultivated without chemical-synthetic fertilisers, plant production products or soil herbicides.
Bonus: Organic White Truffle Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Feeling indulgent? This organic white truffle extra virgin olive oil can elevate any meal, whether you add it to your pasta sauce or simply finish off your dish with a small drizzle on top for flavour. This oil—available exclusively at Graceway Supermarkets—offers all the same benefits of an organic extra virgin olive oil, only with the addition of organic white truffle. Simply sublime.
