In our family, olive oil has always been an ally in our recipes and a regular presence on our tables. Like all fruits, olive oil needs to be protected to provide its beneficial effects for our body. With these 8 Step by Step instructions you will be able to maintain, freshness, aromas, taste and nutritional values for much longer time.
Choose Stainless steel container or dark glass bottles
The quality of the storage container can have an impact on preserving olive oil. Using Stainless steel container or dark glass bottles helps to minimize the exposure of the olive oil to light, particularly UV rays.
Our suggestion is to never buy Olive oil stored in plastic containers or transparent glass bottles because Olive Oil quality, flavor, aroma, and nutritional properties aren’t preserved correctly to ensure an enjoyable and beneficial culinary experience.
Prevent air from entering in the container with a tight and secure seal
The effectiveness of the container seal is a critical factor in minimizing the oil’s exposure to oxygen, which can result in oxidation and the development of rancidity.
When olive oil is exposed to oxygen, a chemical reaction known as oxidation starts. Oxidation can cause a reduction in the oil’s freshness, flavors, and nutritional values.
It is recommended to check the seal of the container regularly to ensure its effectiveness and not damaged.
By paying attention to the container seal, you can significantly extend the shelf life of your olive oil while preserving its quality and ensuring a delightful culinary experience.
Place the Olive Oil container away heat sources
It is essential to store Olive Oil away from heat sources such sunlight, stoves, ovens and barbecues. Exposing Olive Oil to heat sources can break down and alter the structure of antioxidants and polyphenols compounds that play a crucial role in protecting the body against oxidative stress and inflammation.
Olive Oil molecules, exposed to air and heat sources, are supercharged in a form called “singlet oxygen”. This reaction and rearrangement, makes the molecule several times more reactive that can cause varius undesirable changes in the oil like degradation of Flavor, Aroma and Nutritional Values.
By storing the olive oil container in a cool, dark place away from heat sources, you can slow down the oxidation process, preserve the flavor and aroma, maintain the health nutritional values.
Set strong surroundings odors like spices or cleaning products away from the olive oil container
When olive oil comes into contact with strong odors from substances like spices or cleaning products, the volatile compounds from the surrounding substances can interact with the compounds in the oil.
The combination of compounds from both the olive oil and the surrounding substances can result in a modified flavor profile, potentially masking or changing the original flavors and aromas of the oil. By keeping strong-smelling substances away from the olive oil helps to preserve the true flavors and aromas of the olive oil, allowing you to fully enjoy its authentic taste in your culinary preparations.
Avoid adding flavoring ingredients inside the Olive Oil container
Adding flavoring ingredients to the olive oil container can lead to contamination.
Additionally, if the added ingredients are not properly cleaned or dried, they can introduce moisture or impurities, which may contribute to spoilage.
The addition of flavoring ingredients can also impact the shelf life and stability of olive oil. Some ingredients, especially those containing moisture or organic matter, can promote microbial growth and oxidation in the oil.
By preserving its original quality, you ensure that the oil maintains its original nutritional values, taste, and stability.
Do not mix your olive oil with other olive oils
Trying to gain kitchen space mixing different olive oils can lead to a loss of the unique taste and aroma that make each olive oil special.
Mixing different olive oils can compromise the overall quality. Olive oils may vary in their acidity level, fatty acid composition and antioxidant content. Combining oils with different qualities, becomes challenging to ensure that the oil meets specific quality criteria.
Avoid using Olive oil after shelf life
Almost everything on earth, naturally deteriorates it’s quality over time, Olive Oil make no exception.
As the oil ages, its flavor, the aroma and all nutritional properties may degrade. The oil may become rancid, developing unpleasant flavors and odors. Aged olive oil increase the risk of bacterial growth, especially if the oil has been exposed improper storage conditions.
Overall consuming expired olive oil may lead to a lower intake of antioxidants and polyphenols compounds, reducing the potential health benefits associated with fresh and high-quality olive oil.
Buy the highest quality Olive Oil possibile
Buying high-quality olive oil can help in better preserving the oil due to several factors. High Quality Olive Oil is often produced using methods that prioritize quality over quantity. Quality production phases are for example the harvest phase, where hand harvesting is the more time consuming method but the one that truly Respects the Natural olive Oil Tree Health.
Also quickly processing the olives after harvesting, is a time consuming phase, but If Olives are Kept in Stock for an Extended Period of time, they will go bad Like Any other Fruit. Speed is the Key Process that Ensures this Premium Quality Olive Oil High in Polyphenols Composition: Perfect Low Acidity and Great Aromatic Profile.
Premium olive oil is often packaged in dark glass bottles that prevents light causing early degradation of Flavor, Aroma and Nutritional Values through the oxidation process. Overall high-quality olive oils have higher nutritional values which results in a slower deterioration and a longer shelf life
For a deeper scientific analysis, we recommend visiting this in-depth study LINK
