Abstract: Olive oil comparison-purchase-experience: an introduction to the main components of olive oil and the grades of olive oil. The following content is compiled by Dishi.com for your reference. Choose olive oil to see Pay attention to these four points to teach you how to distinguish the quality of olive oil

When choosing olive oil, pay attention to these four points

1. Acidity value: Generally, regular products will be marked with acidity value. It is best to The acidity value of olive oil does not exceed 1%, and the acidity value of edible olive oil does not exceed 3.3%.

2. Look for the words "Extra Virgin" (or "Extra Virgin"), which is "ExtraVirgin" in English. The olive oil with this word is the best olive oil.

3. Look at the place of origin: The place of origin is one of the important factors that determines the price. The world's main olive oil producing countries are concentrated along the Mediterranean coast. Among them, Spain, Italy, and Greece are the world's three largest olive oil producers and exporters. Generally, the olive oil imported from these three countries has better quality and higher price.

4. Look at the color: Generally, the color of olive oil ranges from light yellow to yellow-green. The clearer, the better the quality, and the turbid, the worse.

Olive oil is known as an "edible skin care product". It not only has good health care functions, but can also be used for beauty and hair care. However, Manager Guo reminds consumers who love beauty that the olive oil used for beauty is specially processed refined olive oil. It is best to buy it at a beauty salon. Never buy a bottle from the supermarket and apply it directly on the skin.

Teach you how to distinguish the quality of olive oil from the bad

Composition of olive oil

Olive oil contains 65.8-84.9% monounsaturated fatty acids. In addition to supplying a large amount of heat energy to the human body, monounsaturated fatty acids can also adjust the ratio of high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in human plasma. After consuming olive oil, it can increase the balanced concentration of high-density lipoprotein HDL (good cholesterol) in the human body. Ensure the body's requirements for cholesterol. It also reduces the concentration of low-density lipoprotein LDL (bad cholesterol) in plasma to prevent excess cholesterol in the human body. Monounsaturated fatty acids are very beneficial to the health of the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels.

Olive oil contains about 3.5-22% polyunsaturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids can be divided into omega-3 fatty acids (mainly linolenic acid) and omega-6 fatty acids (mainly linoleic acid). Acids). These are fatty acids that are necessary for the human body and cannot be synthesized by the human body. Therefore, it is also called essential fatty acid. According to decades of research on essential fatty acids in the human body by the world medical community, when the ratio of essential fatty acids in the human body to omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids is 1:4, various diseases are difficult to treat. Invade the human body. The ratio of essential fatty acids contained in olive oil is exactly 1:4, which is similar to human milk.

Olive oil is rich in trace elements squalene (Note 1), flavonoids (Note 2) and polyphenolic compounds (Note 3), which can enhance the body's immunity and delay aging.

It also contains 0.03 to 0.36 mg of beta-carotene per 100 grams, 1.2-43 mg of vitamin E, and various fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, F, and K, which are essential for human organs. essential nutrients. Therefore, olive oil is now recognized by the medical community as one of the healthiest edible oils. Western countries such as the United States and Germany have already included olive oil in their pharmacopoeias.

Grades of olive oil

The first: the olive oil classification standard implemented by the European Union

In July 2001, the European Union began to implement the new four-level classification of olive oil. The standards are:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Extra Virgin Olive Oil with an acidity of no more than 1% is the best quality olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is made from ripe olives that are pressed within 24 hours. It has the least processing steps and the most health and beauty value. Extra virgin olive oil is a pure natural juice. Its pressing method uses purely physical methods without any preservatives and additives.

Virgin Olive Oil VirginOliveOil Virgin Olive Oil is obtained by pressing for the second time. Its acidity does not exceed 2% and meets the prescribed food standards.

Refined and Virgin Olive Oil, a synthetic oil of refined and virgin olive oil, meets the standards for edible oils with an acidity of 1.5%. It is a mixture of virgin olive oil or extra virgin olive oil and other oils.

CrudeOlivePomaceOil.

Not edible, can be used for beauty or specific industries

Note: The European Commission and the European Parliament require the formulation of olive oil sales standards as part of the EU's strategy to improve olive oil quality. The new labeling regulations are based on this Required. To protect consumers, the new rules require olive oil containers to be no larger than five liters and must be sealed with new disposable seals, while labels must indicate the grade of olive oil. It also stipulates that mixed oils with an olive oil content of less than 50% cannot appear as olive oil on the label.

Second: Olive oil classification standards implemented by the International Olive Oil Council

According to the standards of the International Olive Oil Council, olive oil is mainly divided into virgin olive oil and pomace There are two major categories of oil, please see the list:

Chinese name of the category? International standard name Processing technology? Acidity (per hundred grams)

Virgin olive oil Extra virgin olive oil ExtraVirginOliveOil? Cold pressing One pressed oil_0.8

Original olive oil? VirginOliveOil? The pressing does not reach the special standard_2.0

Ordinary virgin olive oil? OrdinaryVirginOliveOil The pressing does not reach the above standard_3.3

Olive Pomace Oil Olive Pomace Oil Crude Oil CrudeOlivePomaceOil? Pomace Pressing

Refined Olive Pomace Oil Chemical Leaching Method ?_0.3

OlivePomaceOil?Pomace pressed and filtered?_1.0

Note: The acidity of olive oil is an important indicator, but every level It has its own biochemical indicators and sensory properties. For example, in terms of sensory characteristics, it is necessary to meet standards in terms of color, aroma, taste, etc.

In addition to the above classifications, extra virgin olive oil also has organic extra virgin olive oil and Protected Designation of Origin certification (PDO). ) Extra virgin olive oil, these two olive oils are the highest grade of olive oil in the world.

Special reminder: Currently, the olive oil sold in the Chinese market is basically extra virgin olive oil (ExtraVirginOliveOil), virgin olive oil (VirginOliveOil), refined olive oil (RefinedOliveOil) or is marked with five stars Star, four-star and three-star virgin olive oils can basically be used.

Note 1: Squalene

Squalene is a naturally occurring element in the human body. Distributed in many organs of the human body, it is an indispensable element for the human body to maintain life. It is most active during adolescence, when people's energy is also the strongest, and with age and physical exertion. The body's squalene is also gradually decreasing. When body cells are deprived of oxygen, tired, and aged, people are prone to diseases. Squalene can supply a large amount of oxygen to cells, rejuvenate them, and improve the body's natural healing ability. The functions of squalene are mainly divided into four aspects:

(1) Promote blood circulation: help prevent and treat diseases caused by poor blood circulation, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, hypotension and stroke, etc. . (2) Activate body functional cells: Help prevent and treat diseases caused by hypoxia of functional cells, such as gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, enteritis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, pneumonia, etc. Comprehensively enhance physical fitness, delay aging, and improve immunity against diseases (including cancer). (3) Anti-inflammation and sterilization: Helps prevent and treat diseases caused by bacteria, such as colds, skin diseases, otolaryngitis, etc. (4) Repair cells: Help speed up wound healing. It can be used externally to treat cuts, burns, etc.

Note 2: Flavonoids (OPC)

According to the "China Medical News", flavonoids are phenolic compounds, and their health care effects include: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, enhanced vasodilation, It regulates blood lipids, lowers cholesterol, lowers blood sugar, reduces blood clots, protects the liver and fights cancer, effectively activates cells, enhances human immunity, resists oxidation, delays aging, etc. It also prevents and improves microcirculation in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Naturally derived bioflavonoids have a small molecular weight and can be quickly absorbed by the body, pass the blood-brain barrier, and penetrate deep into adipose tissue.

Note 3: Polyphenolic Compounds

Polyphenols are part of the compounds with antioxidant activity and are widely distributed. Antioxidants can protect cells from free radical damage, eliminate free radicals in the human body, inhibit cell oxidation, protect neurons, improve the body's metabolic and immune functions, lower blood pressure and blood sugar, prevent liver and coronary artery sclerosis, and increase capillaries. It has many functions such as toughness and can delay the aging process of the human body.