Are you looking for healthy cooking oil for your family? Olive oil is quickly gaining prominence not only for cooking but in the beauty industry, too. Its benefits make it a compulsory addition to every kitchen (1). The market is flooded with olive oils, which may confuse many; worry no more. This article gives you a list of the best olive oils for cooking.
The abundant omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and Vitamin E in olive oil make it an ideal cooking oil. It helps prevent diseases like diabetes (2), cardiovascular issues (3), etc. We present you with the list of the best olive oils for cooking available in the market so that you can finalize a product.
Types Of Olive Oils:
You can find many types of olive oils that serve a different purpose. Here is the list:
- Pure Virgin Olive Oil: The healthy oil obtained from the cold-press process is known as pure or standard virgin oil. It is mostly utilized in cooking and is considered healthy.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: This olive oil is the least refined and has an acidic content of 0.8%. This oil is perfect for salad dressing or dishes with less heating. Since it is of the highest quality, it has abundant vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Virgin Olive Oil: An olive oil with less than 2% acidity. The only difference between virgin and extra virgin olive oil is that virgin olive oil has an oleic acidity level in higher amounts.
- Pomace Olive Oil: This olive oil is extracted from the seeds once they become pulp. The 5 to 8 percent oil removed is also called pomace olive oil, which has a high boiling point, making it the best choice for Indian cooking.
Best Olive Oils Brands For Cooking:
1. Orino Extra Light Olive Oil Pet Bottle:
It is one of the best olive oil for cooking that is cold-pressed from fresh olives. It is an oil of the highest quality. And it has zero cholesterol and a transfat that can be a healthy alternative to regular cooking oil. It is ideal for everyday Indian cooking as it enhances the taste of your food.
Key Ingredients: Blend of refined olive oil and extra virgin olive oil.
Pros:
- Antioxidants are in abundance.
- Free of chemicals.
- Light.
Cons:
- None.
Ratings: 4/5
2. DiSano Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
This product is manufactured in Spain and is extracted by cold-pressing olives, a perfect option for extra virgin olive oil for cooking. This organic product is a rich source of healthy fats, which can be beneficial for your heart health and can be a replacement for ghee and butter. Salad dressing, flavouring, and Mediterranean cuisine are some recipes for using this oil.
Key Ingredients: 100 % extra virgin olive oil.
Pros:
- Rich in antioxidants.
- It has high amounts of healthy fats.
- Organic product.
Cons:
- The packaging is not up to the mark.
Ratings: 4.3/5
3. Del Monte Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
Grown and cold-pressed in Italy, Del Monte is the best olive oil for cooking, retaining the aroma and taste of olives and all its health benefits. It has vitamins A, C, and D that maintain your health. It also helps in your heart health due to the presence of zero cholesterol and transfat. Salad dressings, dips, chutneys, hummus, and marinades are some dishes where you can utilize this oil.
Key Ingredients: Extra virgin olive oil.
Pros:
- Rich source of essential vitamins.
- Antioxidants in abundance.
- Good for heart health.
Cons:
- The packaging is done in a plastic bottle.
Ratings: 4.3/5
4. Figaro Olive Oil:
Manufactured and imported from Spain, Figaro is one of the popular olive oils for frying. Extracted from the olives, it has all the goodness that olives have and is best suited for sautéing shallow and deep frying, too. This oil’s antioxidants and Vitamin E benefit your health in multiple ways, such as regulating cholesterol levels and cardio-circulatory maintenance.
Key Ingredients: Olive oil.
Pros:
- It can be used for multiple purposes.
- Vegetarian.
- It is a rich source of antioxidants.
Cons:
- The packaging is not customer-friendly.
Ratings: 4.4/5
5. Borges Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
Borges extra virgin olive oil is extracted from some of the best olives that retain the aroma and health benefits of the fruit. It is ideal for raw cooking, like salads and dressings, making it one of the best olive oils. You can utilize this oil as a substitute for ghee or butter.
Key Ingredients: Olive oil.
Pros:
- Vegetarian.
- The aroma and taste of the original olives are retained.
Cons:
- It is not suitable for high heat.
Ratings: 4.5/5
[See More: Benefits Of Olive Oil For Weight Loss]
6. Bertolli Extra Light Tasting Olive Oil:
Bertolli is considered one of the top worldwide companies originating in Tuscany, Italy. It is one of the best olive oil for Indian cooking, where it can be used for frying, sautéing, baking, etc. The omega-9 unsaturated fats in olive oil make it a perfect choice that helps regulate your cardi-circulatory system.
Key Ingredients: Olive oil.
Pros:
- It tastes very light.
- Vegetarian.
- Argemone oil-free.
Cons:
- None.
Ratings: 4.4/5
7. Oleev Extra Light Olive Oil:
Oleev is a healthy alternative to other vegetable oils, making it one of the best olive oil brands for cooking. This scientifically advanced procedure is equipped to acquire olive oil, which provides the essential nutrients for your body. It also helps maintain a healthy digestive system by slowing acid production.
Key Ingredients: Olive oil.
Pros:
- It has low saturated fatty acids.
- Vegetarian.
- Light in nature.
Cons:
- None.
Ratings: 4.1/5
8. Kinsfolk Pomace Olive Oil:
This is refined olive oil for cooking by Kinsfolk that has properties that are stable both physically and chemically. It remains stable in various temperatures and is extracted without mixing any chemicals. It has multiple uses, like health, hair care, and cooking.
Key Ingredients: Pomace olive oil.
Pros:
- Vegetarian.
- You can get it in different packaging options.
- It has multiple uses.
Cons:
- Its aroma gets quickly unpleasant.
Ratings: 4/5
9. Sol 100% Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
Sol is one of the best olive oil brands that extract oil from the best Spanish olives that help retain the fruit’s aroma, benefits, and goodness. This oil contains low saturated fat and zero cholesterol, which helps maintain a healthy body. Salad dressing, bread, and Mediterranean dishes are some places where this olive oil can be utilized.
Key Ingredients: Extra virgin olive oil.
Pros:
- Vegetarian.
- Retains the benefits of olives.
Cons:
- Lower temperatures may solidify the oil.
Ratings: 4.6/5
10. Abbie’s Pomace Olive Oil:
If you are looking for the best olive oil for Indian cooking, then Abbie’s pomace olive oil is the best option. The speciality of this product is that it is a blend of extra virgin olive oil and refined pomace olive oil and has a neutral taste, maintaining excellent quality. The high temperatures used in Indian cooking can be handled well with this oil. It is best suited for deep-frying, baking, and sautéing.
Key Ingredients: 15% extra virgin olive oil, 85% refined pomace olive oil.
Pros:
- Vegetarian.
- It is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Cons:
- None.
Ratings: 4.2/5.
[See More: Health Benefits Of Olive Oil vs Coconut Oil]
11. Nature Crest Premium Extracts Pomace Olive Oil:
Nature Crest olive oil imported from Spain keeps you active and fit, combining refined pomace olive oil and extra virgin olive oil. It helps deal with many health issues with the help of health-promoting nutrients. It is best suited for all Indian cooking dishes and many other Mediterranean dishes and enhances their taste.
Key Ingredients: Extra virgin olive oil, Refined pomace olive oil.
Pros:
- It can be used as a massage oil for babies.
- It has a unique flavour.
- Dit is a perfect replacement for ghee.
Cons:
- None.
Ratings: 4.4/5
12. Cesar Olive Pomace Oil:
This is a pomace olive oil by Cesar that can be utilized in cooking in an Indian way that involves high temperatures, deep and shallow frying and sautéing. It is manufactured and packaged in Spain, and body massage is another purpose that can be used.
Key Ingredients: Olive pomace oil.
Pros:
- Vegetarian.
- Light.
- It can be used for body massage.
Cons:
- Packing is not proper and can cause spillage.
Ratings: 4.3/5
13. The Oil Factory Pomace Olive Oil:
The oil factory pomace oil is one of the best olive oils for cooking that maintains stability over the temperature in a wide range. The properties of this product are stable, both physical and chemical. The features of olive oil provide health benefits such as controlling diabetes and heart protection. This olive oil is resistant to evaporation and oxidation processes.
Key Ingredients: 90% olive oil, 10% extra virgin olive oil.
Pros:
- Vegetarian.
- Organic product.
- Good for heart health.
- It helps control diabetes.
Cons:
- None.
Ratings: 4/5
14. Solimo Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
This extra virgin olive oil by Solimo is a perfect alternative to vegetable oil and a healthier version. It helps maintain a healthy body with the help of omega two and antioxidants. It is best suited for salad dressing, dips, sautéing and marinating, and many other dishes where heating is unnecessary. Hair care and skincare are other options where this can be used.
Key Ingredients: 100% extra virgin olive oil.
Pros:
- It comes in different sizes.
- It can also be used for hair and skin care.
- Free of trans fat.
Cons:
- None.
Ratings: 4.3/5
15. So Real Pomace Olive Oil:
The perfect blend of virgin and refined pomace oil can be bought from the So Real brand. This is fit for consumption in cooking, along with many other utilities such as hair care, skincare, and other edible processes.
Key Ingredients: 90% refined olive oil, 10 extra virgin olive oil.
Pros:
- Vegetarian.
- Organic product.
- It is used in health care.
Cons:
- None.
Ratings: 3.9/5
Benefits Of Using Olive Oil For Cooking:
Although it is controversial to say the effects of dietary fat on our body, olive oil has been effective in providing health benefits, according to many studies. Here is the list of services:
- The large amounts of antioxidants positively affect your biology, reducing the chance of chronic illnesses.
- Healthy Monounsaturated fats are abundantly available in olive oil, which is why it is considered a healthy choice for cooking oil.
- Olive oil has oleic acid and the antioxidant oleocanthal, which are the nutrients responsible for its anti-inflammation properties.
- Heart health is another positive outcome of using olive oil in everyday cooking. It stops the oxidation process of bad LDL cholesterol; thereby, the functioning of the blood vessels is improved.
Cooking is integral to our lives, and healthy oil is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Among all the cooking oils available in the market, olive oil has been gaining popularity among the health-conscious crowd. With the plethora of the best olive oils for cooking mentioned in this article, we hope to make a choice that becomes much more comfortable! Do let us know how our article has helped you choose!
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
Q1. Is there a taste difference between vegetable and olive oils?
Ans: Vegetable oils have no taste, whereas pure olive oils tend to have the olives’ flavour and odour. Although olive oil is pricier than other vegetable oils available, its health benefits make it an ideal choice for health-conscious people. Olive oil is preferably used for salad dressing where no heating is required.
Q2. How good is extra virgin olive oil for your health?
Ans: The high levels of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants make extra virgin olive oil a healthy choice for cooking. Tocopherol and polyphenols are the antioxidants present in abundance. It also helps lower your cholesterol levels due to the presence of plant sterols.
Q3. Why are olive oils packaged differently?
Ans: Packaging makes a whole difference, especially with olive oil. Several factors cause rancidity in olive oil, out of which light is the primary one. Packing and producing olive oils in a dark, opaque glass bottle preserves the quality of the oil.
Q4. Is it safe to reuse olive oil?
Ans: You can reuse olive oil a few times, even after heating it. But the oil’s aroma, flavour, antioxidants, and freshness will reduce every time you heat and cool it. According to many studies, heating olive oil in a microwave has been shown to retain the naturally available polyphenols.
Q5. How long does extra virgin olive oil last on the shelf?
Ans: How you store olive oil makes a difference in how long it can last. Remember to keep it out of sunlight so it doesn’t have temperature fluctuations. Many brands top the oil with nitrogen to stop oxidation before sealing the bottle. It is better to use the oil within a year once you open it.
