Natural Health Advisory

Extra-virgin olive oil is a very healthy option to use in your home cooking. It can provide you with numerous health benefits , and it is a major part of the Mediterranean diet. But you now know from part 1 of this series that many olive oil labels can be deceptive. To read more about the olive oil scam, go here .But what is the best way to avoid buying low quality, bad oils? In part 2, we give you practical tips for picking the best, purest extra-virgin olive oil available.

Tips for choosing the best olive oil

There is no guarantee that the olive oil you are buying off the shelf is genuinely extra-virgin; the International Olive Council standards are easy to pass, even if the brand waters down their olive oil with the cheaper, and far less healthy, canola oil. So avoiding fake olive oil labeling can be difficult. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to decrease your chances of being cheated by an olive oil scam. When choosing your olive oil, keep these tips in mind:

Begin a new you today! Our 15 page FREE report gives you a complete plan to feel better than ever.

Don't delay, get your Natural Health 101 download right now!

1. Be sure your olive oil is labeled “extra-virgin olive oil.” Although the research reviewed in part 1 taught us that this label is definitely no guarantee, other options such as “olive oil,” “light olive oil,” or “olive pomace oil” are far poorer quality. These olive oils have often been chemically altered or diluted with other kinds of cheaper oils.


2. Check the dates. Extra-virgin olive oil is perishable, and it is best fresh. Over time, it degrades, goes rancid, and loses many of its beneficial characteristics. One way to know if you are getting good, quality extra-virgin oil is to check the bottle for the date the oil was harvested. Harvest dates are not always easy to come by, but companies are starting more and more to include them on the bottle, as they are good indicators of quality. Your second best option is to look for a “best by” date. These are usually two years after bottling, so look for a “best by” date as close to two years away as possible.


3. Taste first if you can. Try to purchase your oil somewhere where you can taste a sample before buying. If you notice rancid, musty, or other strange flavors or aromas, this is likely a sign of low quality oil. The oil should taste fresh and have fruity notes. Bitterness or spiciness is good; these flavors indicate the amount of healthy antioxidants in the oil.[1] Keep in mind that color doesn’t matter – good oil can range from green to deep gold to yellow. Try visiting a specialty oil shop, where you can ask about where, how, and when the oil was made.


4. Look for these labels and seals. Oils with labels like PDO (protected designation of origin) and PGI (protected geographical indication) are more likely to meet the standards. Seals by olive oil associations such as the California Olive Oil Council (COOC), Australian Olive Association, or Association 3E are good indicators, as these associations have very high standards that are more likely to weed out bad oils.


5. Pay attention to packaging. Because olive oil is perishable, it will last longer in a well-sealed dark bottle, stored in a cool, dark place. Don’t choose clear bottles.


6. Don’t buy too much. Your olive oil is best when it is as fresh as possible, so don’t buy more than you can use in a few months. You might find a great deal for a large container, but if it will take you a year to get through it, it will go bad and won’t be worth the savings.


7. Be prepared to pay for high quality. Extra-virgin olive oil is not cheap. Genuine olive oil is definitely more expensive, but it is worth it if you are getting the real thing.

High quality options

Studies by the UC Davis Olive Center found that California Olive Ranch, Corto Olive, McEvoy Ranch Organic, Kirkland Organic (Costco brand), and Lucero (Ascolano) are all products that passed their tests and were determined to be genuine extra-virgin olive oils.[2] If you are a Costco member, the Kirkland Organic is a good deal and is easily to find. Search online for other affordable deals on these approved brands. California Olive Ranch, for example, can be found at an affordable price through Vitacost . Alternatively, if there is a local oil shop nearby, stop by for a visit and discuss your options – and don’t forget to taste test before you buy!

Share your experience

What are your favorite brands of extra-virgin olive oil, and where do you buy them? Do you have any tips for finding high quality olive oil? Share your experience in the comments section below.

---

[1] UC Davis Olive Center. Best Practices. 2012.

[2] UC Davis Olive Center Report. Jul 2010.

The post Beware The Olive Oil Scam: How to Make Sure You Aren’t Paying a High Price for Fake Olive Oil Labels (Part 2) appeared first on Natural Health Advisory.

from Natural Health Advisory » Natural Health Advisory » Natural health research providing non-drug, natural healing approaches for today’s health challenges http://ift.tt/1DZH2w5