filteringWhat is the difference between virgin and extra virgin olive oil?
Olive oil comes with many names like Virgin, Extra Virgin, Pure, Lite and what they discribe are how the oil is processed. Olives come from olive trees and are pressed to create olive oil. How they are pressed, the extraction method and how they are handled afterward is how one determines what label they receive.
Virgin Olive Oil is mechanicall extracted by machines but with no chemicals.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is also mechanically extracted but must be judged both analytically as well as taste tests to determine that the oil is free from defects. Any oil found with slight defects but can be consumed by humans is rated, FINE.
Pure olive oil and light olive oil are blends of cheap ';Refined'; oil with virgin oil. The ratio is typically 95% refined oil or pomace with just 5% virign oil. They are cheap to produce but you may not find those saving at the grocery store. For what's in them, they are not a bargin. You might as well call them ';impure';.
The bottom line is you want to buy ';extra virgin'; olive oil for the biggest bang for your buck. It is an all natural product with distinctive flavors based on where it comes from and should taste clean and not overpowering.
:) Good question.
See the PBS program America's Test Kitchen. They answer all sorts of questions like this in the show, in their cookbooks, and DVD's and online.
I think the difference is in the manner of extraction, heat and filteration in the preparation of the oil, and in use it is about quality flavor and the uses that each is best suited for.
Try this URL:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=鈥?/a>
In my opinion, this person has given the best explanation that I have ever seen, and I hope you think so too.
I wish you well..
Jesse
extra virgin olive oil is produced from the very first pressing of the olives.
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