Organic Raw Cold-Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil - Eat Wholesome - 500ml

Where is olive oil from? Liquid gold - that's what Homer used to call olive oil in Ancient Greece. Olive oil has always been the most important ingredient of a healthy Mediterranean diet. Olive trees have grown for thousands of years around the Mediterranean Sea in Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. With hot and dry summers, the local climate of these countries is perfect for these resilient trees. Today, Greece is the biggest consumer of olive oil per capita (20l annually), following Italy (13l). Spain is the biggest producer of olive oil. However, Greece and Portugal produce olive oil of the best quality - the premium extra virgin olive oil with a rich, fruity aroma and less acidic flavour. How is olive oil made? Made from the fruits of the olive tree, olive oil is technically a juice. Harvesting takes place once a year, early in autumn, when the olives are fresh and at their best quality with low acidity levels. Then they are the most nutritious and contain the most antioxidants. The olives are crushed just like any other fruits. Olive oil, just like any juice, is best when it's cold pressed and fresh, and this is what we call extra virgin. What is extra virgin olive oil? Extra virgin olive oil is purely extracted from cold-pressed olives, and it's not blended with other oils. Non-extra virgin olive oil may include both cold-pressed and processed oils. Extra virgin olive oil means there were no chemicals used in the process of extracting the oil. When oil is cold-pressed, it means it was not heated over 27 °C during the production. This kind of olive oil contains more nutrients and vitamins. Why is extra virgin oil healthy? In recent years, the popularity of olive oil as a healthy ingredient has been growing, and many families around the world have a bottle of it in a kitchen cupboard. The fatty acid (oleic acid) in olive oil is mainly monounsaturated fat (73% while14% of the oil is saturated fat, and 11% is polyunsaturated). Olive oil contains omega-6, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins E and K and lots of antioxidants which protect our cells from free radicals. The oleic acid can help reduce inflammation and have great effects on genes linked to cancer, minimising the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease. Consuming olive oil is also not linked to weight gain. How to cook with olive oil? Although you can use it in many healthy recipes, including for sauténing and frying, olive oil loses some of its beneficial properties when cooked or warmed up. The best is to use olive oil for uncooked recipes such as salads, dressings and dips or just drizzle it on top of all kinds of dishes for a finishing touch. You can now buy Greek extra virgin olive oil at Wholefood Earth and enjoy the goodness of this liquid gold. Browse our collection of healthy oils! From hemp seed oil and flax seed oil to organic coconut oil, you will find a perfect option for your cooking and baking.

Where are olives from? There are over 800 million olive trees planted worldwide. There are more olive trees and people in Greece. It is estimated over 170 million trees are planted in Greece, while the population is only about 10.4 million people. The average life of an olive tree is between 300 and 600 years. One of the oldest olive trees in the world is on the island of Crete in Greece. It is about 4,000 years old and is still producing olives. People who live in southern European countries like Italy, Greece or Portugal consume olives and extra virgin olive oil every day. Why olives have different colours? Olives are considered fruits from the olive tree. They can be distinguish by colour, size and shape. The olives get their colour from the moment they are picked from the tree. The olive tree always gives green olives and then they change the colour as the mature, so they become darker and softer. The colours may vary from light purple to dark purple and black. All the green olives that stay on the tree will eventually become black. Most of the olives are picked green as they are less bitter and contain more oil. Why olives have different sizes? The size of an olive depend on the variety. You will see the final shape of the fruit when the ripening period approaches. Some varieties provide fruits that are very large (even 6 times larger than the small ones) like the Sicilian variety Castelvetrano and some are just always very small like other Italian varieties Casaliva and Taggiasche. The large size olives varieties with a sweet flavour are more popular as healthy snacks. Why are olives so crucial in the Mediterranean diet? Olives are a food of an amazing nutritional value. Olives are considered fatty fruits, but 70% of this fat is healthy monounsaturated fat. Olives are packed with nutrients and have lots of health benefits: Rich in antioxidants Rich in vitamins Cholesterol-free Source of healthy mono-saturated fats Low calorie Low in saturated fats The vitamins and antioxidants found in olives may provide essential health benefits. Olives are a great source of vitamin E, which can improve skin health and help your immune system. Some studies have shown that olives may protect against osteoporosis, in which bones weaken.

Extra virgin olive oil Nutrition experts consider extra virgin olive oil as one of the healthiest and the most versatile to consume and cook with. The highest quality olive oil should be extra virgin which means it is unrefined and unprocessed. Extra virgin olive has lots of health benefits. It is packed with monounsaturated fats and some polyunsaturated fatty acids linked to better heart health. The best way to eat olive oil is to add it cold to your dishes, as dressings for salads, pestos, for topping and drizzling. You can use olive oil for cooking at low and medium-high temperatures as it has a relatively lower smoke point compared to other oils. Don't use it for high heat frying and cooking. It is a good option for baking though. Flaxseed oil Flaxseed oil otherwise known as linseed oil is extracted from flaxseeds. It is high in omega 3 fatty acids that are vital for your physical and mental health. Flaxseed oil may help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, inflamation and the risk of diabetes. as well as improve regularity. Flaxseed oil has a very low smoke point, which means it shouldn't be used for cooking. Use it for dressing and drizzling on top of the veggies, oatmeal, cereals smoothies. Store it at a low temperature and a dark place, ideally in a fridge. Sunflower oil Sunflower oil is derived from sunflower seeds. It is rich in vitamin E, which is responsible for fighting free radicals. One tablespoon of sunflower oil covers 28% of your daily recommendation for this vitamin. Sunflower oil is also great for cooking. It has almost no flavour and a very high smoking point. It can be used for cooking on high heat, for example, deep frying. Sunflower oil should be consumed in moderation as it also contains a lot of omega-6 fatty acids. The body needs them, but consuming too much omega-6s can cause inflammation, so you should balance them with omega-3s fatty acids. Sunflower oils tend to be heavily processed so always choose cold-pressed sunflower oil for the best health benefits. Rapeseed oil Rapeseed oil, also known as canola oil, is derived from a flowering plant. It contains a great amount of monounsaturated fats and some polyunsaturated fats. Rapeseed oil has the least amount of saturated fats from all vegetable oils. It has a high smoke point, which means it is suitable for high-temperature cooking and frying. Rapeseed similarly to sunflower oil can be processed so remember to always choose cold-pressed rapeseed oil. Avocado oil Avocado unrefined oil is another healthy option. It ir rich in vitamin E and contains monounsaturated and a lot of polyunsaturated acids. Avocado oil doesn't have much flavour, so it is also a good option for cooking and dressing salads. It can be used for cooking in higher temperatures than olive oil as it has a higher smoking point. You can use it safely for stir fries. Sesame oil Sesame oil has a very strong flavour. It contains both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has a higher smoke point and can be used for high-temperature cooking like frying. Pumpkin seed oil Hemp seed oil