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.
