#cooking #kitchen #knowledge #mythcheck #food #oliveoil
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(work in progress coming up soon)
We know Olive oil is healthy and that using it in low-heat cooking and for finishing enhances the flavors in foods, but what about high-heat cooking like frying?
In this episode, we talk about the Olive oil Myths:
"Extra virgin olive oil's is only for salad, not for frying!"
The better the quality of the olive oil, the more heat it takes!
"Fried foods makes you fat."
Bring the heat and you will be good!
"Frying will kill extra virgin olive oil"
There are three types of fats and oils: Saturated, trans and unsaturated
Two are bad and one is really, really good!
But will it survive the heat?
The answer might surprise you!
Yes, you can. Olive oil can be used for frying because of its high smoke point. That’s the temperature at which fat stops reacting with heat and starts to break down and release harmful chemicals. The smoke point is the temperature at which oils give off an unpleasant smell and begin releasing toxic fumes, producing carcinogenic compounds known as hydrocarbons. Hence, oils with a high smoke point are preferred over those with a low one – especially when it comes to frying food at home. Olive oil has been gaining popularity since people started recognizing its many health benefits. No wonder that it’s becoming more common in home cooking as well as restaurants all around the world.
Given that olive oil has such a high smoke point, it makes perfect sense to use it for frying as well!
How to fry right?
When frying with olive oil, it is important to choose a high-quality extra virgin oil. Even though you won’t need a large amount of it, it’s a good idea to use a good quality oil in every cooking method. Once heated, low-quality oils release harmful toxins and chemicals that can be dangerous for your health. Frying in olive oil is very similar to frying in other oils such as sunflower and vegetable. Make sure that the oil is hot enough before starting with the frying process. If it is not hot enough, the food will soak up the oil and become soggy.
What happens when you fry with olive oil?
Browning of the food – When you are frying with olive oil, the food will gain a golden brown color. This is a good sign, meaning that the food is properly fried. Extraction of the flavor – Olive oil is extracted from olives, so it is packed with flavor. When you are frying with olive oil, you bring out the flavor even more. Breakdown of the nutrients – When frying with olive oil, the nutrients and vitamins are broken down. This is the case with all types of oils, though extra virgin olive oil contains plenty of antioxidants that are beneficial to your health.
Is it healthy to fry with olive oil?
Yes, it is! Olive oil is extracted from olives, which are rich in healthy fats that are beneficial to your heart. Frying in olive oil will break down the nutrients and vitamins of the oil, but there are antioxidants that will protect you from harmful substances. The most significant difference between frying in olive oil and frying in other oils is the amount of harmful toxins released. Olive oil has a very high smoke point and therefore releases very little harmful chemicals when heated to high temperatures. Other, less healthy, oils release significantly more harmful chemicals when heated.
Limiting factors for frying with olive oil
- Olive oil contains numerous healthy fats. However, it is also high in calories, containing 120 calories per tablespoon (15 ml).
- Because it releases fewer harmful chemicals, frying in olive oil has a lower impact on your health than frying in other oils.
However, it is still good to moderate your intake of fried food. - Olive oil is considered to be a bit expensive. If you have a tight budget, using it for frying might not be the most affordable choice. Nuts, seeds and even lard can be used as healthy alternatives to olive oil.
Is it worth it? Conclusion
Yes, it is. It's a good idea to choose extra-virgin olive oil because it's rich in monounsaturated fats, which promote healthy cholesterol levels and may help lower blood pressure and reduce risk of heart disease.
Olive oil is a great choice if you want to fry food at home. It has a high smoke point, a pleasant taste and brings out the flavor of your food. It is also packed with healthy fats that are beneficial to your heart. Yes, it is worth it to fry in olive oil because it is high in quality and low in unhealthy substances. However, when frying, you can use a small amount of olive oil or a higher amount of another oil to achieve the same results.
