Studies have been conducted on the purity of olive oil to the point that consumers don’t always know if they’re purchasing a legit product. We know it’s good for us, but things can start to get confusing when it’s time to buy some. For example, some extra virgin olive oils are cut with other oils such as soy or sunflower.
You don’t always know what you’re getting, but there is a way to separate the reals from the frauds – your senses!
According to olive oil expert Katerina Mountanos, you should start with the smell and then move onto the taste. A quality olive oil should have a scent like fruits, grass, herbs, or plants.
Here’s what she suggests you should do:
- Pour a bit of the oil into a small glass and cover the top with your hand.
- Swirl the oil around in the glass, making sure that your hand is warming it gently.
- Remove your hand and have a quick sniff.
You’ll want to look for notes of tomato, almonds, fruits, or something peppery such as arugula. No smell, a waxy scent, and a vinegary scent are bad signs. However, the ultimate test lies in tasting it.
Mountanos has developed a science to tasting olive oil that involves a bit of swirling, inhaling, and coughing. If you’re down, here’s what to do:
- Swirl it around in the glass and then take a tiny sip.
- Inhale a little bit of air through your lips.
- Swish the oil around, and then swallow it.
It should taste like plants, but according to Mountanos, the kicker is that you will cough after experiencing a bitter aftertaste in the back of your throat. If you do, this is the sign of a great-quality, real-deal, extra virgin olive oil. She says that if the cough or other weird feeling in your throat doesn’t appear, you either have an oil that’s rancid or a low-quality imposter. There’s even a chance that it’s not even olive oil, let alone extra virgin.
Once you have found the perfect olive oil, you want to make sure that you store it in a cool, dark area where heat and light cannot destroy it. If you notice an off-putting odor, get rid of it.
A study from 2011 by the University of California-Davis concluded that 70% of olive oils sold in the U.S. did not meet the standards for being classified as extra virgin. Now you have your own way to test!
Source: tiphero
Images: depositphotos
If You Suffer from Back Pain, You Must Read This...
If you have back pain, the following information is like a gift from God. This is how you can relieve back pain effectively.
10 Simple Ways to Significantly Reduce Your Carb Intake
Are you looking to lose some weight? Here are ten ways that you can significantly reduce your carb intake!
If You Have a Dog, Here's How Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help
Not many people are aware that you can use apple cider vinegar for their dog. Here's how!
Personality Quiz: What's Your Most Powerful Sense?
Ever wondered what your most dominant sense is? Take this quiz and find out for yourself.
WARNING: These 10 Common Flowers Are Poisonous!
Flowers add an array of color to your garden, but some of these are actually quite toxic. Here are 10 of that you should be aware of.
Suffer From Muscle Spasms? Try These Natural Remedies
If you suffer from muscle spasms, give these remedies a try.
How to Reduce that Puffiness Your Face Gets in the Morning
Get to know the 6 most effective ways we were able to find to treat a swollen face in the morning.
10 Cleaning Hacks to Render Your Home Spotless & Germ Free
With both spring cleaning and the need of disinfection in mind, we present to you 10 clever, but a tad unexpected cleaning hacks
7 Myths About Burning Calories
Burning calories is something we all want, but we need to know what we're doing first, and that means disproving these 7 common but misguided myths about calorie burning.
10 Kitchen Tips That Will Turn You into a Culinary Master
The following 10 kitchen tips will take you one step closer to becoming a culinary god.
These Are The Financial Secrets of This Billionaire
When it comes to making money, you have to listen to men like Warren Buffet - they really know what they are talking about.
9 Tips for Smelling Good All Day Long
Everyone feels self-conscious about the way they smell sometimes. These 9 tips will help you smell good and maintain it during the day.
Grow Anything You Want With This Gardening Collection!
Enjoy our collection of seven gardening posts that'll cover everything you need to know to grow your own plants.
6 Ways to Make Your Hands Look and Feel Younger
Give your hands a little TLC with these helpful remedies.
13 Great Secret Hiding Spots That Burglars Will Never Find
Here are a few practical places to properly hide your cash and valuables from professional criminals.
The Smart Weight-Loss Tips No One Ever Told You
These simple daily changes can bring an avalanche of goodness to your body. I'm sure you've never heard at least half of these tips, but each and every one of them will have a small and meaningful effect on your weight loss.
The 7 Biggest Mistakes People Make With Their Wills
Make sure your heirs get what you want them to get by not making these mistakes.
Can't Name that Color? Just Use Our Handy Color Guide...
No more arguing about what color it is, from now on you have all the colors at your fingertips...
Get Rid of Excessive Ear Wax with These Easy Home Remedies
Earwax is important for protecting our ear canals, however if our body produces too much of it, it can become a problem. Here are some home remedies.
Here's All You Need to Know about Travel Medical Insurance
Planning a trip abroad? This guide will teach you everything you need to know about travel medical insurance!
If You Have Gum on Your Clothes, Here's How to Remove It!
It's extremely annoying when you get a piece of chewing gum stuck to your clothes. Thankfully, there are many ways to remove it easily!
24 Zip Tie Hacks That'll Make Your Life Much Easier
Zip ties have an array of different uses. The following 24 zip tie uses will change your life for the better.
With Age Comes Wisdom! Great Advice From People Over 50
Why get advice from a book when you can get great advice from a person over 50?
These Handy Stand Mixer Tips Made A Massive Difference...
A cooking mixer is an important appliance in any kitchen. If you employ these 9 tips, we guarantee you'll fall in love with your even more.
9 Body Language Mistakes You Don’t Even Know You’re Making
most communication between people is through body language, make sure you're not conveying the wrong messages by avoiding the 9 mistakes.
This Handy DIY Project Will Have You Collecting Corks
There are so many useful things you can do with a cork. Start collecting your now!
17 Common Cleaning Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Bathroom
Keep your bathroom spotless with significantly less effort by avoiding these 17 biggest bathroom cleaning mistakes people make all the time
35 Cooking Hacks That'll Make Your Life a Whole Lot Easier
These 35 cooking hacks will make your life in the kitchen a whole lot easier.
10 Surprising Items You Can Clean in the Washing Machine
The washing machine can be useful for more than just clothes. 10 surprising items you can clean in the machine with no trouble.
The Next Time You Travel, Use These Hotel Hacks
All set for your new trip? Make sure you keep these hotel-room hacks in mind.
Woah! Who Knew the Humble Fork Had This Many Uses?
Have a look at these unique but very useful fork hacks - they'll make your life a whole lot easier!
How to Deal With Combination Skin That's Both Oily and Dry
If you suffer from combination skin, read on to discover the reasons behind it and learn several simple ways to deal with it.
14 Little Known Ways to Save on Gas While Driving!
If you take heed of these 14 easy pieces of advice, you will end up saving hundreds of dollars each year on gas.
These 10 Rocks May Be Pretty, But They're Also Deadly!
They look pretty but they're deadly. These surprising crystals and rocks look beautiful from afar but are deadly up close.
How to Spot a Liar with These 8 Tell-Tale Signs
It's actually really easy to tell if someone is lying to you. Follow this simple 8 part guide and you'll know who's telling porkies.
A Word from Warren Buffett: Investing for Beginners
Unpack the genius of Buffet's philosophy and get a chance to understand the financial world through his eyes. Tune in, absorb, and let your financial journey flourish.
8 Hypoallergenic Indoor Plants for Easy Breathing
We have discovered eight plant varieties that are recommended for growing and will keep allergies at bay!
8 Adorable Mini Indoor Plants to Liven Up Any Small Space
These low-maintenance houseplants aren’t just cute, they hardly take up any space!
Do You Power Nap? If Not, Here's Why You Should!
Nothing beats a good night's sleep, but there are many benefits that arise from taking a short power nap. Here are 6 of them.
We Bet You Never Knew Rubbing Alcohol Was This Useful!
Most people use rubbing alcohol for cuts or to cool a fever, but it has so many other fantastic uses. Here's 15 of them.
Body Wash vs. Bar Soap: Which One Should You Choose?
Body wash or shower gel? Which one do you prefer? If you’re uncertain, we’ll help you find out when to use each one.
These Simple Tricks Can Help Improve Your Memory
Suffering from memory loss can be extremely frustrating. Therefore, here are some tips to help you stop forgetting the daily things you need to remember.
Here's How You Can Declutter Your Home in Just One Month
If you're looking to declutter your home but don't know where to begin, these 12 tips might just help you out!
Keep the Bedroom Cool in the Summer Heat with These Tips!
Getting a good night's sleep during the hottest summer months doesn't have to be a challenge. With these clever easy tricks, you'll sleep like a baby!
The Ownership Effect: Have YOU Fallen Prey to It?
An article about the ownership effect, a psychological effect that causes us to overvalue the things we've owned.
Make Your Garden As Beautiful as Can be With Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are highly rich in nutrients, and this means that they're great for helping flowers and trees to grow beautifully and healthily. Read these 15 tips.
9 Uncommon Ways to Use Oatmeal in Your Home
Oats are so useful outside the kitchen too!