Olive is considered to be one of the most used food around the globe. Since according to some of the latest researches conducted all around the globe, olive oil is said a complete and balanced food-comprising of all nutrients necessary to keep oneself risk-free of heart diseases, maintain blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and controls sugar levels in bloodstreams. Due to all these benefits, the usage of olive oil has rapidly increased with every passing year, creating a market of around $20 Billion. As its popularity grew, a number of companies around the globe grew like mushrooms which corrupted the whole olive industry and started producing fake olive oil. And according to some latest revelations, some of the major olive oil companies in Italy were banned because they were caught producing olive oil from olive pomace-a residue produced during olive processing.
Health Benefits of Olive Oil
There is a common trend around the globe that if the label on the bottle states that the ingredients come directly from Italy then it’s pure, but this conception should change. Following are some of the tricks from which you can judge that the product is extra virgin or not.
1- Connect The Grower
I think it’s the best way to get the purest and original product and some producers will possibly even send you a free sample. There are a lot of grower’s markets out there where you can connect with actual growers who will guide you to your desired product and pass on some valuable information for further assistance. This information may include how olives are grown, most sold varieties, where are they grown, etc. More information you gonna get more confidence you will build over your informer.
2- Price
Now, this is tricky. It is common saying that you can’t get a Mercedes at the cost of Volkswagen, exactly the same is the case with olive oil. If you want to purchase a high-quality product you have to pay high since companies of high quality are spending big bucks to maintain their standards, besides, if you are buying a product which flew to your local market half the distance around the globe then it costs money. The more cheap product you are going to buy the more chances is that you are buying a low-quality product.
3- Label Says It All
Now you should look for some information which is going to satisfy you at the back of your head that it’s fake or real. Initially, you should look for an expiry date, if there is one then the initial test is cleared by this brand. The second thing you should look at in the label is that the original producers pass more specific information regarding their product, for example where it is produced, processed in cold temperature or not, produced right after olive fruit was harvested or not, etc.
4- Packing
Now, this is the best way to judge olive oil from all the products lined up on the shelves of your departmental store. Olive oil is sensitive to UV exposure which may cause degradation, so all pure products are packed in a colored glass container. If you see a product packed in clear glass or plastic, it’s better to leave it as it is.
