Olive oil is essential in many dishes, including pasta, stir-fry, dips, dressings, and sauces. It comes in various forms, and you might have seen terms like “cold-pressed” and “extra virgin” on bottles in the supermarket. But what is the difference between extra virgin olive oil and other olive oils, and does it matter which one you use?

The Difference Between Olive Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Manufacturers grind and press the fruit from an olive tree to release its natural oils and create olive oil. They may refine the oil further using heat and filtration or bottle it unrefined. Unrefined oil is called “virgin” or “extra virgin” olive oil, depending on quality standards set by the International Olive Council.

Refined oil that has undergone heat and chemical filtration becomes the “everyday olive oil” we use for cooking. It is lighter in colour than extra virgin olive oil with a less fragrant aroma.

While everyday olive oil has almost no taste, extra virgin olive oil retains its natural flavour and often has a slightly peppery taste. Extra virgin olive oil also has less oleic acid and more antioxidants than refined olive oil.

When To Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Due to the naturally high antioxidant content, extra virgin olive oil has a higher smoke point, so it’s ideal for frying food at high temperatures. However, it does have a rich flavour that tastes delicious when paired with raw foods like salads. It’s always good to keep refined and extra virgin olive oil in your kitchen for different uses.

Here are some uses for extra virgin olive oil:

  • Salad dressings
  • Spreads for homemade bread
  • Dips and sauces
  • Drizzled over roasted vegetables
  • Cold pasta salads

Order Australian-Made Extra Virgin Olive Oil

We make handcrafted extra virgin quality olive oilat our farm in Victoria. You can order our olive oil online by bottle or cask or call us for more information! Apulia Grove uses only the freshest fruit from the finest olive trees, and we deliver our oils nationwide.

Apulia Grove uses only the freshest fruit from the finest olive trees, and we deliver our oils nationwide. You can order our olive oil online by the bottle or cask or let us know if you have other questions!