Tips for Buying Healthy Olive Oils

Happy Hanukkah!

This year, Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, begins on Saturday 24th December. Hanukkah celebrates one of the greatest miracles in Jewish history: as the story goes, a small pot of oil, enough to light the Temple’s menorah for just one day, miraculously lasted for eight days. In celebration of this miracle, the traditions of Hanukkah include eating oil-based foods such as doughnuts and potato latkes.

Olive oil is also renowned for its health benefits as it promotes vitality, maintains weight loss and can help deter such diseases as cancer, diabetes and dementia. If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to this tradition, here are some tips for finding and buying the healthiest olive oils.

What Is Available Where?

Supermarkets, general grocers and large online retailers:

Most of the oils stocked here will be own label or branded oils with a selection of ordinary and extra virgin oils. The latter tend to be fairly mild in flavour, probably with lower levels of polyphenols and other healthy nutrients. In the larger stores there may also be a small selection of premium olive oils which will be more expensive but which will also have more flavour and be relatively healthier. Information about any of the oils is usually limited.

Delicatessens and farm shops:

These stores stock some branded oils but sell mainly premium and single estate extra virgin oils with good flavours and levels of polyphenols. Information on the oils is varied, with some shops offering good shelf labelling and the possibility of tasting.

Specialist shops:

The range of oils on sale in these shops is usually more extensive and also more expensive, with premium and single estate oils predominating. Information can be quite good with knowledgeable assistants and the facility to taste the oils before buying.

Growers’ and producers’ websites:

These specialise in online sales of the grower’s own oils. They can be interesting because they will stock the full range of oils produced, some of which may not be generally available in the shops. There is usually plenty of information about the varieties used, the harvest dates and the cultivation and extraction techniques. The most sophisticated sites offer tasting notes and recipes.

General Tips for Buying Healthy Oils;

Choose an extra virgin oil:

Refined oils described just as ‘olive oil’ have lower levels of many of the compounds beneficial for health.

Choose an oil you like and will enjoy regularly:

There’s no point in buying a robust oil that will be left on the shelf.

Relish the pepperiness:

A little ‘kick’ in the oil is probably an indication of healthy levels of antioxidants.

Enjoy the grassy tones:

Possibly denoting a good level of hexanal compounds.