All you need to know about olive pomace oil
With the recent rise in olive oil prices in Spain, many consumers have started looking for more affordable alternatives. One of the popular substitutes for extra virgin olive oil is olive pomace oil. While its price is certainly more attractive, is olive pomace oil actually good for you? In this post, we’ll take a closer look to help you decide if it’s a healthy option for your kitchen.
What is olive pomace oil?
Let’s start with the basics: What exactly is olive pomace oil? This oil is derived from the olive tree and is produced from the leftover olive pulp after the first press. These leftovers, known as “alperujo” in Spanish, include the water, skin, and stone of the olives. Essentially, olive pomace oil is the result of fully utilizing the olive fruit.
While traditional olive oils such as extra virgin, virgin, and refined oils are made from about 20% of the olive’s content, the remaining 80% consists of this pulp. Olive pomace oil is extracted from this by-product, then refined and blended with virgin oil.
Unlike extra virgin olive oil, olive pomace oil has not been widely studied for its health effects. Only recently have scientific studies begun exploring its potential health benefits.
Can you cook with olive pomace oil?
If you’re wondering whether olive pomace oil is suitable for cooking, the answer is yes. Olive pomace oil is excellent for frying because it can withstand high temperatures without altering the flavor of the food. It also helps achieve a crispy texture without making dishes overly greasy.
However, while it’s great for frying, olive pomace oil is not ideal for drizzling on salads or spreading on toast. Its flavor is much milder compared to extra virgin olive oil, although it can be useful for lightly flavoring certain dishes.
Health benefits of olive pomace oil
One common question is whether olive pomace oil is good or bad for your health. According to a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition, olive pomace oil has been shown to improve blood lipid profiles and reduce bad cholesterol.
This study, conducted by the Institute of Food Science, Technology, and Nutrition (ICTAN) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), examined the effects of olive pomace oil on both healthy individuals and those at risk of cardiovascular diseases. The results suggest that olive pomace oil can support heart health due to its antioxidant properties and high oleic acid content. Additionally, its bioactive compounds may help reduce obesity, visceral fat, waist circumference, and insulin levels.
That being said, these benefits were noted in comparison to high oleic sunflower oil, which is widely used in Spain for its low cost, particularly in the restaurant industry. It’s also worth noting that extra virgin olive oil surpasses olive pomace oil in both nutritional value and health benefits.
Olive pomace oil vs. extra virgin olive oil
Now that we know olive pomace oil can be a healthy choice, how does it compare to extra virgin olive oil? Should you really consider switching to this cheaper alternative?
At BelOleum, as producers of premium extra virgin olive oil from Spain (Aragón region), we believe there’s no true substitute for extra virgin olive oil. The most obvious difference lies in the taste—extra virgin olive oil offers a much richer, more intense flavor, perfect for use in raw dishes. In contrast, olive pomace oil has a milder, more neutral taste.
In terms of nutrition, extra virgin olive oil is difficult to beat. The extra virgin olive oil we produce at BelOleum is a pleasure for the senses and remains reasonably priced despite poor harvests. So, if you’re deciding which oil to use in your kitchen, remember that quality should always come first.
What are you waiting for? Try our gourmet product today!
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