Virgin vs. Extra Virgin?

[Radiohead]

...Olive oil. What's the difference between the two?

Been watching a few cooking shows and sometimes they always specify to make sure you use "extra virgin" olive oil instead of virgin or regular.

 

[jlee75]

extra virgin I think is from the first pressing. i was watching an entire show on food Network that talked about olive oil. from start to finish. seems like the best thing to get is something that is pressed and bottled in italy. i'm gonna be going out today to buy some top quality stuff and compare.

 

[nEoTeChMaN]

Extra Virgin means it is cold-press with nothing removes.

Virgin is clear oil with "Impurities" been removed.

Impurities what contain the best stuff in it.

 

[Radiohead]

Impuries, not sure what you are referring to here?

Or did you mean Impurities

 

[jlee75]

<< Impuries, not sure what you are referring to here?

Or did you mean Impurities >>


that's what he means. the extra virgin pressing is supposed to be the better tasting and more flavorful.

 

[jjones]

extra virgin is what you want to use. more body, more flavor.

 

[ElFenix]

impurities = tiny bits of olive?

 

[nEoTeChMaN]

Pardon my spelling.

Impurities contains the vitamins/minerals, flavor from the olive seed and etc.

Virgin oil is just pure oil with barely any flavor which taste like motor oil.

 

[AndrewR]

Extra virgin oil also won't burn as easily -- it has a higher temperature tolerance so you can heat things more without it smoking. Virgin oil has the same characteristics over regular oil, just not to the same level.

 

[BlueSkyzz]

Make sure you get the "cold pressed" stuff. It's soooo much better for your health.

 

[Brutuskend]

DANG. I thought you had an extra Virgin you wanted to get rid of!

 

[Jfur]

the right olive oil makes a HUGE difference in taste

 

[BeauJangles]

<< ... which taste like motor oil. >>



mm.... motor oil

 

[nater]

I was always told to look for the olive oil that says first cold press on it

 

[Radiohead]

I have been enlightened, thanks everyone

 

[SammyBoy]

extra virgin is better on salads and stuff or really nice cooked food. if your gonna fry or cook with it I am under the impression that it doesnt really matter

 

[Jfur]

<< extra virgin is better on salads and stuff or really nice cooked food. if your gonna fry or cook with it I am under the impression that it doesnt really matter >>



I use fine olive oil to lightly cook garlic in a skillet, and I definitely notice a taste difference. Of course, it's way more expensive!

 

[worth]

I think an extra virgin is a virgin who hasn't done oral either.

 

[amnesiac]

Extra Virgin - 1 percent acidity, best for sauteeing, marinades, salads, dressings.

Virgin - 1-3 percent acidity, usually cheaper than extra virgin

Pure - mixture of refined and virgin/extra virgin oils

Light - very refined oil, has little of the taste that EV has.

AndrewR - Sorry but you're mistaken.. Light olive oil has a much higher smoke point, making it desireable for deep-frying or high heat frying. It is also used in cases such as baking where a heavy olive oil taste is not desired. Extra virgin oil will turn sour and smoke if you heat it too much.

 

[Radiohead]

I think an extra virgin is a virgin who hasn't done oral either

LOL That's a good one!

 

[Pocatello]

I like to dip my veggies into extra virgin olive oil.