Drinking Olive Oil vs. Cooking Olive Oil – Yes There are 2 Types

There has been a lot of debate recently about the best way to consume olive oil – should it be used for cooking or drinking? While there are benefits to both methods, it is important to understand that they are not the same.

Cooking with olive oil is a healthy way to add flavor to your food. The high smoke point of olive oil means that it can be used for cooking at high temperatures without breaking down. This makes it a good choice for stir-frying, roasting, and baking.

Drinking olive oil is a tradition in many Mediterranean countries. It is believed to have a number of health benefits, including preventing heart disease and improving digestion. It is also thought to boost the immune system and help with weight loss.

So, which is the best way to consume olive oil? The answer is: Depends on the type of oil!  YES, There are two types of Olive Oil – just like it is important to learn which fork to use for what at the dinner table, it is important not to waste high quality oil by cooking with it.

How do you know which olive oil to drink? Well generally by tasting it, but brands do sell and mark high quality olive oil bottles and olive oil bottles meant for cooking.

A while back I was on a tinder date, and she brought me a gift of really stellar high quality olive oil from Spain.  It was obvious from the glass bottle and the cork (and the region) that it would be a heartbreaking waste to cook with this oil.  Now, when I say Drinking Oil – that is because I actually drink it.  I took tablespoon shots of this bottle of oil daily until it was gone.  It had that nice peppery aftertaste that my favorite oils have.  You don’t necessary have to drink your olive oil.  What I refer to as “drinking oil” most may use as finishing oil.  I drink it because it is the best way to get my healthy fat macros.  Plus. I #$#$%ing love it!!   I LOOOOOVE Olive Oil.

But, you don’t necessary have to import oil from Spain to get good olive oil.  They do sell it outright.  One brand I’ve recently been turned on to that marks its bottles well is Capatriti.  They don’t come in glass bottles with corks, but being in a plastic bottle might actually make them more affordable.

Notice the differences in the bottle.  The GREEN Cold Pressed Olive Oil is the one I would categorize as Drinking Oil.    While the YELLOW bottle of Olive Oil is the one I’d cook with.   Cooking oil will have a more neutral flavor, and possibly a higher smoke point.   You need both in your kitchen.  But don’t waste that drinking oil by trying to cook with it!

Assuming you can’t quickly get your hands on a bottle from Spain/Italy/The Middle East – try using Capatriti’s “Drinking Oil” (aka drizzle oil) as finishing oil on these Tofu Recipes:  https://open.spotify.com/track/03qmKfo2VSsGq0JArRUnOP?si=5cd30e21d4a94a65 

 

It will up your game like you wouldn’t believe and will rock your fat macros out of the park.