Choosing the Best Olive Oil: What to Look for

Introduction
With so many types of olive oil in the supermarket, it is difficult to make the right choice. What is the best olive oil? And which is suitable for baking, salads or special dishes? In this blog we give a complete overview.

1. Extra Virgin vs. Regular Olive Oil

• Extra virgin olive oil : Unprocessed, full of flavour and rich in antioxidants. Ideal for cold use and light frying.
• Refined olive oil : Neutral in taste, suitable for high temperatures such as frying.

2. What should you pay attention to when buying?

• Harvest Date : The fresher the better! Choose an olive oil from the most recent harvest.
• Dark bottle : Olive oil degrades in light. Always buy a bottle in a dark packaging.
• Origin : Italian, Spanish and Greek olive oils each have their own unique flavour profile. Try and discover your favourite.
• Price : Good olive oil is an investment. Avoid extremely cheap varieties, which are often of lower quality.

3. The Best Olive Oil for Baking

• For baking, you can choose a milder extra virgin olive oil, such as a Spanish Arbequina or Greek Koroneiki.
  

For higher temperatures, a pure olive oil or mild extra virgin is more suitable

4. Special Olive Oils: Truffle Oil, Chili, Garlic and Basil Oil

In addition to regular extra virgin olive oil, there are also flavorful olive oils that add extra depth to your dishes. Here are four popular varieties:

✅ Truffle oil:
Truffle oil is a luxury product with the intense, earthy flavour of truffles. Be careful: many cheap varieties contain artificial truffle flavours instead of real truffles. Use truffle oil drop by drop over pasta, risotto, potatoes or carpaccio for a refined flavour.

✅ Chili oil:
Chili olive oil adds a spicy kick to any dish. Perfect for pizza, pasta, grilled veggies, or even a spicy dip. Choose an oil that has been infused with real chili peppers for a natural, balanced heat.

✅ Garlic oil:
Garlic olive oil is ideal for those who love garlic but don't want to cut fresh garlic. Use it in dressings, on toast, in pastas or to fry vegetables and meats.

✅ Basil oil:
Basil Olive Oil provides a fresh, aromatic flavor and is perfect for salads, caprese, pasta, and bruschetta. Made by infusing basil in olive oil, it preserves the pure flavor of fresh basil without the need for fresh herbs all the time.

Conclusion
Choosing the best olive oil depends on your use. For baking and cooking, it is best to choose a mild extra virgin or refined olive oil. For salads and cold dishes, go for a high-quality, flavorful extra virgin. Invest in quality and taste the difference!