All forms of olive oil contain monounsaturated fat, the most heart healthy type of fat that can help lower bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. However, you may be wondering what the different grades of olive oil are. How do you choose between extra virgin olive oil, pure olive oil or olive oil?

Extraction Methods
Virgin, when the term refers to production method, means that the oil was produced through physical extraction - no chemicals were used.

Refined, the other method, refers to the fact that chemical treatment was used to improve the taste of the oil, by removing strong tastes and neutralizing the acid content. This oil is of lesser quality than virgin oil.

Retail Grades
Extra-virgin olive oil is the least processed form of oil and has a superior taste. It has an acidity of less than .8%. As it is the least processed, it is also the most heart healthy form of olive oil and contains the highest level of polyphenols (a heart healthy antioxidant). Note: Davoli Extra Virgin Olive Oil has an acidity levelof .32%, proving without a doubt that it is a first cold press extra virgin olive oil.

Virgin olive oil is also produced through the virgin production method; however, it has an acidity level of no more than 2%. It has a good taste.

Pure olive oil and olive oil are both a combination of virgin and refined olive oil and have an acidity requirement of 1% or less. The taste is acceptable.

Shopping Terms to Know

• “100% Pure Olive Oil” - meaning that does not contain any ‘virgin’ oil
• “Refined olive oils” – has been modified with chemical treatment
• “Hand-picked olives” – implies higher quality, more likely to be picked when ripe
• “Cold pressed” – nutrients were retained as the oil was not heated above a certain temperature
• “First press” - the fruit was crushed only one time. Virgin oil is only pressed one time so this lets you know that the oil was produced through this method rather than another
• “Packaged in” – the oil may have been packaged at the location, but the oils may not be from there

Davoli Extra Virgin Oil has been deemed the best tasting olive oil in a blind taste test. Monica’s Fine Foods can verify that the oil was both grown and packaged in the Calabria region of Italy. To try our olive oil before buying, contact us to find out about our next taste testing location.

A delicious carrot recipe that also includes pineapple for a moist and tropical cake.

Carrot Pineapple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups Davoli extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup white flour
• 1 cup wheat flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup nuts
• 8 oz can of crushed pineapple

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300º F.
2. Combine olive oil and sugars, beating until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time. Mix well.
3. Sift together flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add sugar mixture. Beat until smooth.
4. Stir in carrots, nuts and pineapple. Beat for 30 seconds.
5. Pour mixture into 3 well greased 9in round cake pans.
6. Bake for at 300º F for 40-45 minutes.
7. Cool in pans.
8. Layer together cakes, with frosting in between.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 stick of butter
• 8 oz pkg of cream cheese
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups powdered sugar
  

Directions

1. Cream butter, vanilla and cream cheese. Add powdered sugar until creamy.