Monday, November 22, 2010

Monday Trivia : Olive Oil


Came across this youtube video and some questions I have in mind about my favourite type of oil answered. In this video, Bob Blumer answered a question on whether there is a difference between expensive and cheap olive oil. I use olive oil in all of my cooking except when a recipe calls specifically for other types of oil. For example, when baking red velvet cupcakes, I use the vegetable oil instead.

Anyway, according to Bob Blumer in this interview video, there won't be any difference. But you'll be insane if you use your expensive bottles for cooking. Spare your expensive ones for salad dressing instead.

My further research reveals that, there is a difference in taste depending from where the olive oil comes from. The difference is very subtle and only the experts could tell, not the ordinary consumers like us though. The difference normally stems from the different species, climate and soil condition of where the olives are grown. Spain, Greece and Italy are the main olive oil producers apparently. Hmm, I remember seeing only the Italian on the supermarkets shelves. Hence for me, the association between olive oil is always with Italy. Call me ignorant, but I have yet to find the others on my next visit to the supermarket.

But hey, guess what apparently between the 3 countries, Italy is the smallest producer and most of the oil that is claimed Italian could really be either Spanish or Greek or a combination of the two! But, Italy is the better marketeer! Well, I would say their marketing works! Again, for me olive oil is always Italian! Haha. Whatever it is, be it Italian, Spanish or Greek, it all tastes the same to me. Guess it all depends on the freshness, quality, our taste preference s (be it ordinary, virgin, extra virgin) and price. There you go, a trivia for your Monday blues. Will share some olive oil salad dressing recipes in my upcoming posts ya!


7 comments:

fizamior said...

i couldn't differentiate the taste between virgin & extra virgin or non virgin . to me, they are all the same! LOL!

screamingmommy said...

like Fiza, I also couldnt tell the diff:) btw I've read in Shape magazine saying that, extra virgin oil should be use to sprinkle on the food not for sauteing or cooking as it will lost it's khasiat.

Jabberholic said...

Fiza : The difference can only be tasted if we take it raw..Bitter thab

screamingmommy : True, I've read if extra virgin oil is heated for e.g. cooking, it won't be 'extra virgin' anymore..It'll lose its nutrients..

Lady of Leisure said...

olive oil ni selalu guna dalam masakkan apa ye?

Ermayum said...

ha i masa i g masak2 kat bluewave pun ada chef tu cakap kalu nak fry fry guna yang cair :)- cant wait for yr review :)

Jabberholic said...

Lady of leisure : Olive oil ni i guna as my cooking oil for almost everything. Other than that, i guna as the base to make my salad dressing.

Jabberholic said...

Ermayum : Ok dear, will share the usual salad dressing recipes that I make soon ok!