How many times have I heard that appearance doesn’t matter? Sometimes this sentence is true, but when it comes to olive oil, its appearance is fundamental. When buying real olive oil it is essential that you observe the product carefully before buying it.

What characteristics should a good olive oil have?

Bottle

Olive oil can be wonderful, but if it is packaged in a transparent plastic bottle, it completely loses its status. It may seem like I’m saying this for aesthetic reasons, but I’m not: UV rays affect and degrade olive oil, causing premature oxidization. Plastic absorbs this type of radiation and, in addition, as a translucent material, it allows the sun’s rays to directly affect the product.

Great connoisseurs of olive oil ensure that the oil is kept in dark glass bottles to maintain the liquid gold in optimal conditions and to ensure it is protected from the sun’s rays.

Size

Real olive oil loses its properties once opened if you take time to consume it. So it’s best to buy an oil that is in small bottles to ensure that you consume the product without it losing any of its properties, and so that you can taste the oil as if it were freshly extracted from the olive tree.

Label

Extra virgin olive oil preserves all the nutritional properties that make it the most important pillar of the Mediterranean diet. It is also the most stable oil. So whenever you want to consume a real olive oil, make sure it is extra virgin, either through its label, or by checking that it has less than 0.8% acidity.

Expiration date

The expiration date is obviously very important when acquiring any type of food. Extra virgin olive oil usually has a rather long expiration date thanks to the product’s high degree of stability. It is important to consume it well before this date, however, because the fresher it is, the richer it is in terms of its nutrients and organoleptic properties.

Real olive oil is wealth for your health, so, before you buy, look at the product carefully. I consider Carapelli olive oils to be my first and only choice, because they are made and packaged with care and comprehensive knowledge.

• The Master Oliari, who know how to assess the fruit from the olive grove,and who perfectly understand the exact point of the olive for making olive oil, and
• The master blenders, who blend various types of olive oil to achieve the superb taste that is characteristic of our oils.

Some people still believe that it’s better to reserve this oil for salads and cold dishes, because they believe it loses its properties when heated and that, therefore, they would be wasting it. But nothing could be further from the truth. As I have already explained previously, not only can you fry with extra virgin olive oil, but you should fry with this oil. That is why the answer to the question is: yes, you can fry chicken in extra virgin olive oil.

Bringing together taste, aroma, and nutritional balance in one single dish is an art. That’s why I consider Carapelli olive oil a masterpiece. Its taste is delicious and its nutritional characteristics are magnificent. In this respect, in addition to the many benefits it provides, this olive oil also protects your defenses.

STRENGTHEN YOUR DEFENSES WITH OLIVE OIL

Among all the qualities of EVOO, several of them strengthen the immune system to enable it to work optimally.

Thanks to vitamin E, known as the longevity vitamin, and polyphenols, olive oil has antioxidant properties that strengthen the body and keep the cells strong, young and full of vitality. Furthermore, olive oil also protects your defenses thanks to the omega 3 and vitamins A and D found in it.

This oil also helps the body to purify itself; the cleaner it is, the less chance that bacteria or viruses will proliferate.

So with the coldest seasons of the year approaching, it is a good idea to care for your health and that of your loved ones with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil a day. It will significantly strengthen your defenses.

Source: NCBI

Extra virgin olive oil has many health benefits, but are antioxidants among these benefits? Of course! In fact, they are one of the most valuable. I understand that this may be irrelevant to you if you don’t know what the benefits of antioxidants are, so I have decided to tell you why it is so important for you to include them in your diet.

ANTIOCIDANT’S BENEFITS

Antioxidants promote health because they are responsible for keeping the cells of the body young and healthy. The oxidation of the body is the main cause of aging and disease, so consumption of extra virgin olive oil is excellent for ensuring your body is at its peak performance level.

WHAT ARE THE ANTIOXIDANTS IN EVOO?

Before continuing, you should be aware that it is only extra virgin olive oil that contains these antioxidants, because simple olive oil loses them after the refining process that the oil undergoes. So, if you’re looking for antioxidants’ benefits, make sure you consume the best extra virgin olive oil.

The antioxidants in EVOO are vitamina E and polyphenols. Vitamin E is commonly known as the longevity vitamin, and is one of the most important lipid antioxidants. Polyphenols, on the other hand, protect the cardiovascular system and activate the natural antioxidants that form part of the body.

So, if you want to live longer, have energy and continue feeling young, two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil a day are essential for achieving it. Enjoy antioxidants’ benefits with Carapelli, the EVOO that is not only liquid gold but also the elixir of longevity.

Source: NCBI

You already know that a good infused extra virgin olive oil can elevate your dishes to a higher level. If you still don’t know how best to use this delicacy in your kitchen, today is a good day to start. Here are 3 delicious and simple recipes that will completely transform your dishes.

GRILLED SALMON

Salmon is a fish with a very distinctive taste. It doesn’t need much dressing, just the right one to make it taste great. The way I prepare it has made me famous among my expert cooking friends, yet grilling this salmon is very simple. The secret lies in the Carapelli Organic Olive oil infused with lemon peel, fresh thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper. In order to achieve this, immerse the salmon for six hours so that it is permeated with the aromas and flavors of this oil. Once this time has elapsed, it will be ready to grill.

ITALIAN PASTA

Italian food is a true delight. If you are a fan of fresh pasta, it’s essential to have a bottle of extra virgin olive oil that is infused with basil and garlic. No matter what pasta sauce is your specialty, adding a touch of this infused oil will give it a Tuscan aroma and flavor. It is magnificent even as the sole dressing for pasta.

FRESH CHEESE SALAD

A fresh cheese salad is ideal for days and nights at any time of the year. Many people have questioned the idea that salads can be gourmet food. But their opinion changes when they try my salads. A fresh cheese salad bathed with thyme and sun-dried tomato infused olive oil will make your diners wish this was the only dish of the evening. The recommended oil for this infusion is Carapelli Oro Verde oil

Using a top-quality extra virgin olive oil, such as Carapelli oils, elevates your recipes to a higher level. If you also decide to infuse it with the right ingredients for each dish, your recipes will become real delicacies.

This morning was great weather for a walk, so after visiting my olive grove I decided to take a stroll through the streets of the village. As I walked and enjoyed the morning tranquility, I detected the smell of freshly baked bread, which made me stop and savor it a little longer. I realized it had been a long time since I had baked my own bread. That’s why I decided to go home and prepare some for later. While it’s baking, I’ll tell you about baking bread with olive oil.

HOMEMADE BREAD, STEP-BY-STEP

Before starting, I recommend that you prepare the ingredients you need:

• 3 tablespoons Carapelli extra virgin olive oil II Centenario
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 0.5 oz fresh yeast
• 0.35 oz salt
• 0.5 oz sugar

STEP 1. PREPARE THE YEAST

The first step in baking bread with olive oil is to prepare the yeast. To do this, pour some warm water into a glass, and add the fresh yeast together with the sugar. Mix these ingredients well, until the yeast is completely integrated.

STEP 2. MIX THE LIQUID INGREDIENTS

In a large bowl, add the remaining warm water, extra virgin olive oil and yeast. Once this is done, add four or five tablespoons of wheat flour. Mix these ingredients to activate the yeast. When the mixture is homogeneous, cover it with a clean cloth.

STEP 3. ADD THE REST OF THE FLOUR

Before baking your bread with olive oil, gradually add the rest of the flour along with the salt, while mixing with a wooden spatula to integrate it well. An increasingly thick dough will be formed.

STEP 4. KNEADING

Clean the kitchen worktop, sprinkle a little flour over it and position the dough. Spread a little olive oil on your hands, and start kneading. When the dough has a uniform texture, it will be ready. Then use your hands to shape the dough into a ball, then let it rest for half an hour covered by the cloth.

STEP 5. BAKING BREAD WITH OLIVE OIL

Drizzle the oven tray with extra virgin olive oil and do the same in a tall, wide glass bowl. Knead the bread again to remove any air, and place it on the tray. Make two parallel cuts, sprinkle with a little flour, and cover with the glass bowl. Put it in the oven, at 390ºF, with heat from above and below. Once 45 minutes have elapsed, remove the bread and place it on a rack to cool. Once it has cooled, your bread will be ready.

There’s nothing like enjoying freshly baked bread, and what better than a good extra virgin olive oil. Carapelli II Centenario will add some very special herbal notes to your bread. Enjoy the taste and aroma that lingers at home after baking with olive oil.