How to Choose the Best Olive Oil in India for Cooking

Olive oil is a superb edible oil which is famous for being nutrient-rich and having innumerable health benefits. It is a staple in the Mediterranean diet but due to its countless perks for the body, it has become one of the top choices of cooking oil all over the world. You can find many varieties of olive oil in India too which you can use for both consumption in your diet as well as for skin and hair care. But while all of this sounds exciting, there is still a lot of confusion regarding its selection, usage and storage as well. So, let us discuss these aspects of olive oil today so that you can also take advantage of it and achieve a healthy body naturally.

 

What is Olive Oil

 

Dating back 6,000 years, olive oil finds its origin in today’s Iran, Palestine and Syria. Historically, it was used in religious ceremonies and medicinal preparations owing to its prolific health value. This edible oil is obtained by pressing olive fruits.

The mechanical pressing of olives produces virgin and extra virgin olive oils. They are of the highest grade and packed with health-enhancing components. The virgin olive oil India gets is golden green and slightly bitter in taste. Having a nutty feel and distinct aroma, it adds a strong flavour to any dish. The smoke point or the temperature at which an oil starts fuming and producing harmful components is very low so it cannot be used for cooking purposes. You can use it for light sauteeing though and in cold dishes or for drizzling over your food.

When the olive flesh that is left after the extraction of virgin oil is chemically processed, it generates pomace olive oil. This oil is also highly nutritious and can withstand high temperatures without burning. Hence, you can use pomace olive oil for cooking different dishes. Also, since this oil has no taste or aroma of its own, it can very well be used for preparing Indian dishes as it does not alter their taste.

 

Olive Oil for Consumption

 

You can find different kinds of olive oil in India which you can use in your diet. Olive oil offers you tons of health benefits which can only be reaped by consuming it in your daily food. The plentiful antioxidants found in olive oil help to reduce oxidative stress on your body and prevent the development of various cancers. The good fats present in the oil are beneficial for your heart and blood vessels and reduce the risk of various cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, excessive blood clotting and more. It is also good for your intestinal immunity, gut health and the health of your brain and nerves. Olive oil also consists of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B, D and E which are all necessary for your good health. So, it is wise to begin using olive oil in your everyday diet.

Virgin and extra virgin olive oil can be used in cold dishes such as pesto or for drizzling over your salad, pizza, pasta and sandwiches. You can also use it to lightly saute vegetables in them. On the other hand, you can use pomace olive oil for cooking your meals. It can be used for roasting, grilling, frying or baking too as its smoke point is high. You can also use it in any Indian dish such as everyday humble khichdi, pulao, curries, puri and much more.

 

Olive Oil for Skin and Hair

 

In addition to being the perfect oil to cook your food, you can also use olive oil for enhancing your skin and hair health. You can use any virgin olive oil India offers for topical application on your body or hair. It can be used to massage your face or scalp which can help you get smooth and nourished skin and hair naturally. Olive oil can greatly enhance the look of your skin by reducing fine lines, adding glow to your face and hydrating it to make it look plump and younger. Similarly, it can also do wonders for your dry and lifeless hair. By regularly using olive oil to massage your scalp you can aid hair growth, add lustre to dull hair, hydrate it, reduce frizz and make it stronger. You can also use olive oil to prepare various face and hair masks by mixing them with different ingredients of your choice to suit your skin or hair type and fit your need. By making olive oil a part of your daily skin and hair care regime, you can surely achieve wonderful results for your looks.

 

How to Pick and Store Olive Oil

 

There are many different brands offering olive oil in India. You must be careful while selecting only go for a well-known and trusted brand like Leonardo Olive Oil. It is necessary to do so in order to be sure that you are getting a quality product that’s worth your money. Always check the manufacturing date as olive oil has a low shelf life and see that the bottle is tinted or opaque since olive oil is light sensitive and can easily get spoiled on exposure to light. You must also take care to store it away from direct sunlight and in a cool and dark place to avoid spoiling before time. Also, take care to consume it regularly and not reserve it only for special occasions or fancy guests as you know how nutritious it is for you and second, because you don’t want to let the precious olive oil get spoiled before it could be consumed.

Pomace oil is a more forgiving type of olive oil as it doesn’t get spoiled so easily. Leonardo Olive Oil offers great quality pomace olive oil which has a longer shelf life and isn’t too sensitive to light allowing you to store and use it as you please. It. is also quite affordable as compared to its virgin counterparts. Moreover, since it doesn’t get burnt easily, you can use it to prepare your food every day and enjoy the many health benefits it offers along the way.

 

Takeaway

 

You can find different brands and types of olive oil in India. Each one has its own perks and drawbacks but one thing is for certain that olive oil is too beneficial for your health and deserves to be a part of your diet. So the next time you go grocery shopping remember to buy a bottle of aromatic olive oil and start using it for better health and refined beauty.