Olive oil is the fat extracted from olives, it has been part of the basics of Mediterranean cuisine for thousands of years. It is extremely beneficial for health, this oil is present on the market in different forms and different qualities. Some manufacturers sell fake olive oils under the authentic label, so we must be vigilant about the authenticity of the oil purchased. In this article, we will reveal the different fake brands of olive oil available on the market ...
On the other hand, what are the benefits of olive oil for health?
High quality olive oil has excellent health benefits, and its high fatty acid content makes it the best friend of the heart.
Medicine has proven that a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, strengthen bones and improve brain function.
Olive oil also heals anxiety and normalizes the movement of the intestine.
Extra virgin olive oil contains monounsaturated fats that reduce the fat burden of metabolism and that are beneficial for cardiovascular health. Olive oil contains neither carbohydrates nor proteins but is rich in vitamins K and E which are excellent for the skin.
What is extra virgin olive oil?
"Virgin" does not say much about the quality of the oil, this appointment does not confirm the purity of the oil. Everything is in the manufacturing process.
Experts have defined 4 qualities of virgin olive oil. The inferior quality oil is only used in soap production and is not edible.
The extra virgin oil is considered the best quality, it has an excellent taste as well as a good odor. It is however cold pressed, ie extracted by mechanical methods only, without the use of chemicals or heat.
In view of its notoriety and its virtues for health, this oil has become indispensable in the shopping basket of households, the reason why some malicious manufacturers have decided to sell counterfeit products to increase their gain.
That's how a group of researchers from the University of California did some tests on brands in the US labeled as "extra virgin oil," and the results were terrifying! More than 70% of the products tested are fake.
So, the next time you choose a bottle of extra virgin olive oil, do it carefully. Keep in mind that the original and the fake oil have a similar taste. What is the best way to determine if the oil is fake or not?
What is fake olive oil?
It is usually a mixture of pure olive oil and sunflower oil, in some countries it is a mixture of several oils. This fake oil can also be a combination of soybean oil and sunflower. Some brands of extra virgin oil contain chlorophyll and beta-carotene.
It is therefore important to read the labels of your extra virgin olive oil.
How do you know if your olive is fake?
Always cool the extra virgin oil. If the oil becomes thicker, it means that it contains more mono-saturated fats. This does not exclude the possibility of containing canola, sunflower or other oils. If your oil does not get thicker, then you bought the fake oil.
Another test to do to recognize the real fake olive oil, try to light the oil lamp with. If the flame is maintained long it is a 100% original product otherwise it is a fake.
Search for a certification!
Check the certification on the packaging of your product. The Australian Olive Association and the California Oil Council are extremely reliable. If you are more interested in Italian olive oil, look for labels of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) or Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) labels.
Some brands are advertised as being of good quality, whereas it is nothing but a fake product. The latest research has revealed this list of fake brands of olive oil:
pompeiian
Carapelli
Foods
Colavita
Star
Berio
Mazzola
Newman's Own
Mezzetta
Safeway
Whole Foods
And here are the best brands, the most authentic:
Lucini
California Olive Ranch
Lucero (Ascolano)
McEvoy Ranch Organic
Kirkland Organic
Cobram Estate