The Truth About Olive Oil

Jelly91

So I've heard rumors that you shouldn't cook with Olive Oil...? :noway: Is this true? If so, what could I use instead? Coconut oil?

charleyreedto175

Ok I'll bite why not Olive Oil. I have used it forever. It is tasty, it goes with salad, it burns clean and in the long run it is one of the tried and true oils. I am not a big fan of all the other new oils out there. I will stick with the big three: Olive Oil, Peanut oil, and Sunflower oil.

hookilau

I've heard this too....I wasn't paying close enough attention to be able to explain it properly but it was something to the effect of olive oil having a low smoke point & it breaks down when it gets too hot, something about it's constituents following the breakdown & known carcinogens.

I use coconut oil or ghee for frying anyhow & EVOO for salads & dressings.

AztecKermit

I haven't heard anything yet. I always cook with sunflower oil and use olive oil for salad dressings etc.

bcattoes

I've heard this too....I wasn't paying close enough attention to be able to explain it properly but it was something to the effect of olive oil having a low smoke point & it breaks down when it gets too hot, something about it's constituents following the breakdown & known carcinogens.

I use coconut oil or ghee for frying anyhow & EVOO for salads & dressings.

Actually, this is true of most vegetable oils (breaking down at smoke point), which is why it's best to use those with a high smoke point when cooking at high temps. Coconut oil and peanut oil both have a high smoke point.

But olive oil does not break down when it smokes like other oils.

dr_tina

it's more related to really high temp cooking (e.g. stir fry).

Chief_Rocka

Low smoke point.

Not a big deal, unless you're deep-frying with it or something.

goldfinger88

Basically that is true. Olive oil is great for salads and dipping and some cooking. But at a high heat it goes to GMO, much like canola oil. You can use it in smoothies and shakes and things like that. Spray it on popcorn. It's a good oil. But only up to 375 degrees. I generally cook with coconut oil.

Lunarbeanie

It burns and changes http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=dailytip&dbid=261

Cook with Canola or Grapeseed, and use olive oil to drizzle or salads.

hookilau

I've heard this too....I wasn't paying close enough attention to be able to explain it properly but it was something to the effect of olive oil having a low smoke point & it breaks down when it gets too hot, something about it's constituents following the breakdown & known carcinogens.

I use coconut oil or ghee for frying anyhow & EVOO for salads & dressings.

Actually, this is true of most vegetable oils (breaking down at smoke point), which is why it's best to use those with a high smoke point when cooking at high temps. Coconut oil and peanut oil both have a high smoke point.

But olive oil does not break down when it smokes like other oils.

ahh...this is where I got it then. I thought when oils smoke, they've broken down & should not be used. I cook with very high temps

edited for typos

vytamindi

It's not a "OMG this is unhealthy" reason, it's all about smoke points. Olive Oils are better reserved for salads since higher heats can break down the taste and make it funky (and smoke).

Olive oil (assuming it's not "cut" with other oils) is a good source of fat and is good for you. You can do a Google search to see what oils would fare better at whatever temperature you are cooking your food.

MinMin97

Why not? Of course you can. But for very high heat, coconut or peanut, or grapeseed would be better. I personally only have coconut and olive on hand.

bcattoes

Basically that is true. Olive oil is great for salads and dipping and some cooking. But at a high heat it goes to GMO, much like canola oil. You can use it in smoothies and shakes and things like that. Spray it on popcorn. It's a good oil. But only up to 375 degrees. I generally cook with coconut oil.

What?! :huh: I'm not sure you know what GMO means. High heat does not make anything go to "GMO".

rduhlir

Before giving into rumors, educate yourself on the facts.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/AN01037

lisamarie1780

So I've heard rumors that you shouldn't cook with Olive Oil...? :noway: Is this true? If so, what could I use instead? Coconut oil?

I never cook with olive oil. I used to go out with this French guy who told me that in France olive oil is a 'table oil' meaning they use it to dress salads/food, not to cook with. I've certainly seen this a lot in Spain too. Apparently it burns at high temps causing toxins or something to be released. I cook with rapeseed oil or vegetable oil as these oils can take higher temperatures before 'burning' and becoming noxious .... is noxious a word?

You know what I mean :indifferent:

taliar93

I've only ever heard of you shouldn't cook with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, something about the way/amount of times the olives are pressed through makes the oil "change" during cooking and your food is going to taste like crap, learnt that the hard way on a pork roast a few years ago, and the had the suspicion confirmed when I attended Ministry of Food (Jamie Oliver's cooking classes) and was taught by a Masterchef contestant

And for the record, all of the classes we used Olive oil to cook with.

rml_16

It has a lower smoke point than other oils, so you can more eaily burn off it's good qualities. But I cook with it when I want that taste in whatever I'm making. Otherwise, I use canola.

rml_16

I've only ever heard of you shouldn't cook with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, something about the way/amount of times the olives are pressed through makes the oil "change" during cooking and your food is going to taste like crap, learnt that the hard way on a pork roast a few years ago, and the had the suspicion confirmed when I attended Ministry of Food (Jamie Oliver's cooking classes) and was taught by a Masterchef contestant

Extra virgin is the first press. The only difference is taste. EVOO is more expensive and since cooking it into recipes makes the subtle taste differences less noticable, it's just cheaper to cook with the later presses. Your food will not taste like crap is you use EVOO.

bcattoes

Not a fan of this guy or his blog, but ...

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/defending-olive-oils-reputation/#axzz2d5Dlvg3A

sarahthin

I've heard this too....I wasn't paying close enough attention to be able to explain it properly but it was something to the effect of olive oil having a low smoke point & it breaks down when it gets too hot, something about it's constituents following the breakdown & known carcinogens.

I use coconut oil or ghee for frying anyhow & EVOO for salads & dressings.

Yes wh olive oil is heated it loses it' nutritional benefits. That's why you should only buy cold pressed olive oil. It can be added after cookking for flavor or used in salads.

benol1

So I've heard rumors that you shouldn't cook with Olive Oil...? :noway: Is this true? If so, what could I use instead? Coconut oil?

Any assertion made without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
As I tell my children: always follow the evidence.
kind regards,

Ben

snowbike

Apparently its all nonsense and even if oils do produce toxins, our bodies are quite capable of coping with it...

http://scienceornot.net/2012/09/15/is-it-safe-to-cook-with-olive-oil/

taso42

Basically that is true. Olive oil is great for salads and dipping and some cooking. But at a high heat it goes to GMO, much like canola oil. You can use it in smoothies and shakes and things like that. Spray it on popcorn. It's a good oil. But only up to 375 degrees. I generally cook with coconut oil.

rml_16

I hope taking hot showers won't make me go to GMO.

skullshank

Low smoke point.

this is the only reason i can think of.

But at a high heat it goes to GMO

whierd

Basically that is true. Olive oil is great for salads and dipping and some cooking. But at a high heat it goes to GMO, much like canola oil. You can use it in smoothies and shakes and things like that. Spray it on popcorn. It's a good oil. But only up to 375 degrees. I generally cook with coconut oil.

Um...

Do you know what GMO means? Because I do not think that you do...

UsedToBeHusky

I cook with it all the time, and I've never noticed any differences when used over a high heat or a low heat. Granted, I've never paid much attention to the level of heat before this thread, but I think its suffice to say that the difference is negligible if I've never noticed a difference in my own cooking.

I have baked with it at above 375, I've fried with it, and I've stir-fried with it. This whole thread seems a tad ridiculous to me.

K_Serz

Basically that is true. Olive oil is great for salads and dipping and some cooking. But at a high heat it goes to GMO, much like canola oil. You can use it in smoothies and shakes and things like that. Spray it on popcorn. It's a good oil. But only up to 375 degrees. I generally cook with coconut oil.

SoViLicious

Basically that is true. Olive oil is great for salads and dipping and some cooking. But at a high heat it goes to GMO, much like canola oil. You can use it in smoothies and shakes and things like that. Spray it on popcorn. It's a good oil. But only up to 375 degrees. I generally cook with coconut oil.

Bwahahaah!

scottaworley

So I've heard rumors that you shouldn't cook with Olive Oil...? :noway: Is this true? If so, what could I use instead? Coconut oil?

I never cook with olive oil. I used to go out with this French guy who told me that in France olive oil is a 'table oil' meaning they use it to dress salads/food, not to cook with. I've certainly seen this a lot in Spain too. Apparently it burns at high temps causing toxins or something to be released. I cook with rapeseed oil or vegetable oil as these oils can take higher temperatures before 'burning' and becoming noxious .... is noxious a word?

You know what I mean :indifferent:

lol rapeseed.

scottaworley

I hope taking hot showers won't make me go to GMO.

IDK what's your smoke point?