Olive Oil The Gift of the Gods

Quick history:

Some people believe that olive oil cultivation originated in ancient Egypt , it is assumed the first olive oils were created before 4000 BC.

What was olive oil used for in ancient times?

Ancient people used olive oil not just for cooking, but also as perfume, and as a soap.

In ancient Greece it was a symbol of great wealth and power, and was used by the noblest of heads throughout history.

It was known as the gift of the gods.

Regular vs Extra virgin:

Extra virgin olive oil is superior in flavor and has a rich golden color, whereas regular olive oil is often pale and tasteless.

Extra virgin olive oil is made from pure, cold pressed olives, whereas regular olive oil is a blend, including both cold pressed and processed oils.

Extra virgin olive oil is made by grinding olives into a paste, then pressing them to extract the oil. There’s no heat involved, hence the “cold-pressed” label you often find on olive oil labels.

Any cold-pressed oil that doesn’t meet extra-virgin standards is then refined to get rid of undesirable impurities, giving the oil a more neutral flavor and lighter color. However, unlike with other oils, including canola, corn, and vegetable, the process does not involve chemical solvents. It’s then blended with a bit of extra virgin olive oil to produce what’s labeled as just “olive oil.”