Tag: Frying with olive oil

Despite its name, light olive oil has the same calorie count as other olive oils, with 'light' referring only to its mild flavor. This refined olive oil is a versatile and heart-healthy option for a wide array of cooking applications where you don't want an overpowering olive taste.

Despite its name, "extra light" refers to the oil's color and taste, not its caloric content. This highly refined oil undergoes processing to achieve a mild, neutral flavor and higher smoke point, making it exceptionally versatile for a range of cooking applications. But why use extra light olive oil over its more robust cousins?

Contrary to a persistent myth, high-quality extra virgin olive oil is remarkably stable and safe for high-heat cooking. Many believe its lower smoke point is a risk, but extensive research reveals that oxidative stability is a more important factor when asking: is it safe to cook with olive oil at high heat?.

While many believe extra virgin is the only healthy option, virgin olive oil is also mechanically extracted and retains beneficial compounds with a slightly higher smoke point. So, **can you use virgin olive oil as cooking oil** for your everyday culinary needs? Yes, and it offers excellent stability and flavor for many common cooking methods.

According to a 2018 study, high-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) produced fewer harmful compounds when heated compared to vegetable oils, debunking the smoke point myth. This means you can confidently cook with Mediterranean olive oil for flavorful and healthy meals.

A common myth suggests extra virgin olive oil has a low smoke point, but high-quality EVOO is surprisingly stable with a smoke point averaging 374–405°F (190–207°C), which is perfectly adequate for most home cooking and frying methods. In fact, due to its antioxidant content, it's more stable than many refined vegetable oils when heated.

While both olive oil and sunflower oil are popular plant-based culinary staples, studies show olive oil, especially the extra virgin variety, contains more antioxidants and beneficial monounsaturated fats. This makes it a great substitution, but knowing when and how to use olive oil instead of sunflower oil depends on the cooking method, as each has a distinct flavor profile and smoke point.

Bertolli is one of the world's most widely recognized olive oil brands, offering products suitable for a vast array of kitchen tasks. However, answering the question, "Can I use Bertolli olive oil for cooking?" isn't a simple yes or no, as the correct choice depends entirely on the specific variety and your cooking method.

According to a study from the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, olive oil has a higher resistance to oxidative deterioration than many other cooking oils, allowing it to be reused. This guide addresses the key factors in determining how many times can you cook with olive oil, from food type to storage practices.