Since ancient times, people have prized olives for their delicious taste and for the sustenance that they provide. Not only do olive branches symbolize peace (as in “extending an olive branch), but their oil has been harvested for thousands of years. In ancient times, making olive oil was a difficult and time-consuming task in which people used wheels to crush olives. Once the olives were crushed into a pulp, they were squeezed into a press, which could take several days to produce oil. True, olives are quite savory and delicious, but they do not start out tasting so great. In fact, they are naturally bitter, so they require curing in order to make them edible. Using brine, water, or lye, olives can be transformed into the delicious snacks that we are familiar with. Today, we would like to discuss the different ways humans use olives:

Moisturizer

Olive oil is rich in essential fatty acids, including palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids. Olives also include antioxidant compounds, or phenolic compounds. These properties make olive oil an excellent moisturizer, and it is often an ingredient in all natural soaps, lotions, shampoos, and conditioners. Cosmetics with olive oil are great for people with sensitive skin because they typically do not irritate sensitive skin. However, if you are prone to breakouts, use olive oil products with caution. Olive oil is a heavier oil, so it might not be appropriate for people prone to blemishes.

Cooking Oil

Without question, people love cooking with olive oil, and they’ve been creating delicious culinary fare using this oil for thousands of years. If you browse your local grocery store, you may notice a variety of different types of olive oils. Where do you even begin? Keep reading to find out:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Some olive oils are very low quality. In order to enjoy the many health benefits of olive oil, purchase a good extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil, or as as Rachel Ray says, EVOO, also has a high smoke point, which means it tolerates higher cooking temperatures better. This type of oil is cold pressed, which means that it is extracted by grinding the olives in thermal conditions. This helps to preserve its natural taste and prevents the olive from losing its flavor, which can happen in hotter temperatures.

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Do you want to take your EVOO to the next level? Consider upgrading to an organic EVOO, which will be a bit pricier. Olive trees are vulnerable to olive flies, and are often sprayed with fungicides, pesticides, and herbicides. If you are concerned about exposing yourself to these chemicals, choose an organic EVOO instead.

Isn’t olive oil wonderful? Not only does it taste delicious, but it’s so good for you! If you love olives and their many delightful benefits, you may be interested in The Original Olive Leaf Extract. We feature a variety of online health supplements of your choice at Ameriden International. Shop our supplements for health today to see what appeals to you the most.