Olives, a small tree or shrub of the Oleaceae family, are traditionally found in the Mediterranean basin. This species is cultivated in all countries of the Mediterranean as well as in Australia, New Zealand, North and South America, and South Africa.
The fruit of the olive, also called "olive", has important agricultural value in the Mediterranean region and is the source of olive oil; it is one of the core ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine. The tree and its fruits are named after the plant family, which also includes species such as clove, jasmine, forsythia, and true ash.
There are hundreds of olive tree varieties known. Olive varieties may be primarily used for oil, edibles, or both. Olives grown for consumption are often referred to as "table olives." About 90% of harvested olives are converted into oil, while about 10% are used as table olives.
Olive oil is rich in nutritional value, but it is not so simple to use it well.
1. Fry in olive oil
Olive oil remains chemically stable at high temperatures due to its antioxidant properties and high unsaturated fatty acid content. Olive oil can be used repeatedly without deterioration, and is the most suitable oil for frying.
2. Grilled with olive oil
Olive oil is also suitable for roasting, roasting, frying, and boiling. When cooked with olive oil, food has an enticing aroma that is mouthwatering.
3. Use olive oil for sauces and condiments
The purpose of using sauces is to bring out the flavor of the food, not to mask it. Olive oil is the best fat ingredient for cold and hot sauces, it preserves the color of fresh sauces.
4. Marinate with olive oil
It is marinated in olive oil before cooking, which can increase the delicateness of the food, and can also set off other spices to enrich the taste.
5. Use olive oil directly
When extra virgin olive oil is used directly, the character of the dish is brought out to the extreme. You can also add extra virgin olive oil to any dish to balance out foods with higher acidity, such as lemon juice, tomatoes, and more. It also makes the various seasonings in the food taste more harmonious.
Olive oil, which is often used, is respected by all walks of life, and the health value of extra virgin olive oil (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) is even better.
1. Rich in Monounsaturated fat
The main component of olive oil is oleic acid, which is a monounsaturated fatty acid, accounting for 73%. Studies have shown that oleic acid reduces inflammation and has a positive effect on cancer prevention.
2. Contains a lot of antioxidants
In addition to being rich in many healthy fatty acids, olive oil also contains a lot of vitamin E and vitamin K, as well as antioxidants such as carotenoids and phenolic compounds (Phenolic Compounds).
3. Powerful anti-inflammatory properties
Olive oil has a powerful antioxidant effect because it is rich in antioxidants. In addition, scholars also pointed out that olive oil is rich in oleic acid, which can reduce key inflammation indicators.
4. Oils that do not cause obesity
Excessive fat intake can cause Obesity. However, many studies have pointed out that a Mediterranean diet with a high intake of olive oil has a positive effect on weight control; some experimental results have shown that olive oil intake is not associated with weight gain and even weight loss.
There are many benefits of olive oil, not only those listed above!
Because of the health benefits of olive oil, some people even choose to eat olive oil raw to nourish their body or drink olive oil to help them lose weight, but there is still not enough research to prove that drinking olive oil raw is better than adding olive oil to vegetables as part of the diet.
