Fake Olive Oil is Literally Everywhere! How To Know Whether It Is Fake Or Original Olive Oil

Olive oil is a Mediterranean delight used for thousands of years. It is very beneficial for the heart as it contains a rich amount of monosaturated fatty acid. Experts suggest that a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil can significantly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as improve your brain function, bone health and your general well-being. Olive oil can even soothe irregular bowel movements.

The oil is rich in phenolic, a compound which is responsible for the bitter and acidic taste that is great for your heart. As we mentioned, olive oil is rich in monosaturated fatty acids, which have been found to give less fatty tissue load to the body, and it also contains vitamin E and K, which are beneficial for the skin.

What’s extra virgin olive oil?

Many people think that extra virgin describes the quality of olive oil, but it actually describes the process of manufacturing. There are 4 grades of virgin olive oil – the lowest quality is used for soap making. The additional virgin oil is of the best quality and it is cold pressed.

Many brands of the extra virgin olive oil sold in the USA are fake. According to scientists from the University of California, many brands in the USA are labeling their olive oil as “extra virgin”, but according to their tests 70% of these olive oil products are fake. So, be careful the next time you pick extra virgin olive oil – you might be buying something low quality. But, how can you tell the difference?

Fake olive oil

Fake olive oil is olive oil mixed with sunflower oil or some other vegetable oil. Fake olive oil may contain chlorophyll and beta carotene, which is why you always need to check the labels. The popular brands who have been found to sell fake olive oil are Colavita, Newman’s own, Fillipo Berrio, Mezzetta, Bertolli, Mazzola and others.

How to know when the oil is fake?

The first thing you need to do when buying extra virgin olive oil is to cool it – if it strengthens, it contains other oils such as sunflower oil. If it doesn’t, it’s the real thing. Extra virgin olive oil can keep an oil lamp flammable, which is a good way to check the quality of oil you’re buying. However, these methods may not be 100% accurate, which is why we recommend buying olive oil from local farmers.

In order to make sure that you’re buying the right oil, you should look for 3rd party qualification on the label. The Australian Olive Association and The California Olive Oil Council make their seals trustworthy. Also, when you are buying olive oil which is made in Italy, you should search for PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) or PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) seals.

The best extra virgin olive oil is sold by Cobram Estate, Lucero, California Olive Ranch, Kirkland Organic, McEvoy Ranch Organic and Lucini.

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