You’re strolling around Whole Foods, grocery cart in tow. As you approach the oil section, nervous sweats hit as different labels like extra virgin and regular olive oil start to overwhelm you. We’ve all been there, and seriously, I don’t blame you.
The different types of olive oil – extra virgin and pure – may be confusing, especially for those newly-independent adults who just began their grocery-shopping careers.
Is one healthier than the other? Why is extra virgin olive oil more expensive?
Put those burning questions to rest, as this article will make you an olive oil expert in no time.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
Olive oils are labeled based on their extraction processes and acidity. EVOO is the highest-quality type, as its made through a process called cold pressing, where oil is extracted from olives using pressure and not heated over a specific temperature.
So what does that mean for you? Basically, cold pressing is the best way to keep olives’ healthy antioxidants and monounsaturated fats in the oil. It also keeps the most olive flavor and has a lower acidity.
Bonus: EVOO also has a low smoke point – meaning it doesn’t take a high temperature for it to start smoking.
Pure Olive Oil
Pure Olive Oil is labeled simply “Olive Oil” and is a mix of virgin and refined olive oil. If the quality isn’t high enough to be graded virgin or extra virgin, the oil is chemically treated to remove bad odors.
Once it’s chemically treated, or refined, to remove the stink, the oil is blended with some virgin olive oil.
For all you shoppers out there wondering why EVOO is more expensive, it’s because pure olive oil has been refined. It’s lower in quality, meaning a cheaper price.
Another big difference between extra virgin and pure olive oil is their extraction processes. Pure olive oil uses heat, so it contains fewer antioxidants.
Which is The Healthiest?
Although pure olive oil has fewer antioxidants than EVOO, they each have around the same amount of fat and calories. EVOO is also said to have higher Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Chlorophyll and Magnesium levels, according to TargetWoman.
On paper, EVOO looks to be the better (yet slightly more expensive) choice for all your oil needs. However, a Medical Daily article noted that heat is found to destroy a lot of the nutritional value EVOO holds over other types.
My recommendation – as a young adult starting to shop for herself – is to splurge on EVOO for cold dishes and salad dressings that won’t burn away the nutrients. When it comes to cooking with heat, you might as well use refined kinds, like pure olive oil, to save you money.