The Shocking Truth About Olive Oil & Its Incredible Benefits For Your Health with Nicholas Coleman
Feb 19, 2024
auto_awesome
Delving into the rich history and benefits of olive oil, including its role in metabolic therapies and mental health treatment. Unveiling the complexities of olive oil production and fraud in the industry. Optimizing olive oil consumption and understanding fat perceptions. Exploring the significance of selecting high-quality olive oil and the art of generous pouring. The truth behind olive oil production and quality, including the importance of filtering for purity and stability.
Selecting high-quality olive oil involves considering the source, region, and harvest date for transparency.
Using olive oil for cooking is beneficial, with a smoke point of 400°F suitable for various cooking methods.
Different olive varietals offer unique flavors, like sweet Arbicino for light dishes and robust Coratina for hearty meals.
Tasting olive oil is essential to identify quality, with indicators such as bitterness and peppery finish signaling beneficial properties.
Deep dives
The Power of Olive Oil in the Mediterranean Diet
Olive oil is a key element in the Mediterranean diet, with Italians consuming 12 liters and Greeks consuming 20 liters per year. Olive oil is the primary fat used in Mediterranean cuisine, replacing other processed condiments. Extra virgin olive oil is considered superior due to its unique characteristics. It is a mono-unsaturated fat that is good for heart health, contains 0% cholesterol, and is high in antioxidants and polyphenols. Olive oil is versatile and widely used in a variety of dishes, from salads to soups and even desserts.
Olive Oil and its Increasing Importance Today
Olive oil is one of the most studied fats, continually producing data highlighting its health benefits. The production of olive oil has become more regulated, with competitions encouraging producers to strive for higher quality. Harvesting olives earlier in their maturation stage results in more vibrant and flavorful oil with higher polyphenol and antioxidant content. Modern extraction methods, such as cold extraction, ensure a safer and cleaner process. Furthermore, organic labels do not always guarantee better taste or quality in olive oil.
Debunking Cooking Myths about Olive Oil
Contrary to popular belief, olive oil can be used for cooking without losing its health benefits. With a smoke point of around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, olive oil is suitable for frying, sautéing, slow cooking, and marinating. It is well-suited for all types of home cooking unless exposed to extremely high temperatures. Olive oil's polyphenols provide protection during cooking, and high-quality oils are more resistant to denaturing. The myth that first-cold-pressed olive oil is superior is outdated, as many top producers cold extract their oils for optimal quality.
The Need for Quality and Transparency in Olive Oil
When seeking high-quality olive oil, it is important to taste and evaluate different options. Retail stores that allow tasting can be helpful in finding the right oil. Organic labeling does not guarantee superior taste or quality. It is crucial to trust reputable producers and look for information such as the olive source, region, and harvest date. Olive oil competitions and organizations like the California Olive Oil Council provide valuable resources and promote quality within the industry. By ensuring transparency in sourcing and production, consumers can enjoy the full benefits of quality olive oil.
Importance of Fresh Olive Oil
Fresh olive oil is crucial for experiencing its full flavor and reaping its health benefits. It is important to avoid defective oils that are fraudulently labeled as extra virgin, as they may have off flavors and do not provide the true taste and benefits of genuine olive oil.
Understanding Olive Varietals
Different olive varietals contribute distinct flavors to olive oil. Delicate and sweet oils, like Arbicino from Spain, are ideal for lighter dishes, while robust and peppery oils, like Coratina from Italy, are better suited for soups and charred meats. Knowing the varietal can help determine the flavor profile and the appropriate pairings with different foods.
Tasting and Choosing Olive Oil
Tasting olive oil is crucial to understanding its nuances. A good olive oil should be clean, herbaceous, and pleasant, with hints of green tomato leaves, almonds, or bananas. Bitterness and peppery finish are indicators of quality, as they signify the presence of beneficial antioxidants and polyphenols. When purchasing olive oil, look for a harvest date, the type of olive used, and a dark bottle to protect the oil from degradation.
We know that olive oil has many benefits, including being a heart-healthy fat rich in antioxidants and polyphenols. But with numerous olive oil bottles on the market, it's hard to know which one to choose, especially considering that olive oil is one of the top three adulterated foods. Today’s guest is here to delve deep into olive oil and educate us on how to incorporate this oil into our healthy diets.
Today, on the Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Nicholas Coleman, an international expert on olive oil. Nicholas shares olive oil's history and incredible benefits, guiding us through selecting high-quality oil. He also explains the differences between fraudulent labeling, adulterated oil, and how to cook with olive oil appropriately.
Nicholas Coleman is an international olive oil expert, educator, speaker, and co-founder of Grove and Vine, a bespoke full-service olive oil procurement center. He has taught oil courses for The International Culinary Center, Zagat's Master Class, Bon Appetit, The Institute of Culinary Education, Cornell, Yale, NYU, and Columbia University, Platinum Country Clubs, and to critically acclaimed chefs and sommeliers nationwide. He has been a judge at The New York International Olive Oil Competition and the Sol D'Oro Southern Hemisphere Competition.
In this episode, Dhru and Nicholas dive into (audio version / Apple Subscriber version):
How Italians and Greeks use olive oil (2:17 / 2:17)
The health benefits of olive oil (3:15 / 3:15)
The history of olive oil (11:35 / 9:33)
Fraudulent labeling versus adulterated olive oil (18:12 / 16:08)
Cutting olive oil with seed oils (22:18 / 20:16)
How olive oil became popular in America (27:22 / 25:20)
Should you cook with olive oil (38:12 / 34:58)
Smoke point and denaturing oil (42:13 / 38:35)
High-quality oils, levels of polyphenols, and filtering (43:52 / 40:15)
Lack of regulation in the olive oil industry (55:29 / 51:56)
What to look for in a quality olive oil (1:01:07 / 57:29)
Nicholas’ story and Grove and Vine (1:17:50 / 1:14:12)
Optimize your Omega-3 levels by choosing a quality fish oil made by and used by the best. Go to livemomentous.com and enter promo code DHRU to get 20% off any order.
AquaTru is a countertop reverse osmosis purifier with a four-stage filtration system that removes 15x more contaminants than the bestselling water filters out there. Go to dhrupurohit.com/filter/ and get $100 off when you try AquaTru for yourself.
