Olive Nation Blog

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH

Posted by John Rusnak in Olive Oil, Oct 13 2009

Most of us buy quality extra virgin olive oil because it is delicious but we also believe it is good for your overall health. If this is the case, you are absolutely right on both counts. Extra virgin olive oil is rich in antioxidants that are good for your health as well as being delicious.

It is important to note that quality extra virgin olive oil should be used within eighteen months of pressing. Why is that so? Unlike fine wine, good olive oil does not improve with age. The health benefits of antioxidant-rich oils wane if the oils are stored for too long or not properly.

What does storing ‘properly’ mean? Antioxidants remain in the olive oil if the bottle is not exposed to heat and/or light. This is one of the main reasons why any producer of good olive oil would never bottle the oil in a clear bottle. This means you are well advised not to purchase olive oils bottled in clear bottles. Any merchant who sells extra virgin olive oil in clear bottles clearly does not understand the importance of bottling olive oil. Why would any producer of good olive oil put it in a clear bottle?