How do you distinguish real olive oil from fake?

Olive oil is one of the main ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine. Olive oil, which is both healthy and delicious, is used in many dishes. However, when buying olive oil, it is important to determine whether it is genuine. Fake olive oil can harm consumer health. Therefore, when buying olive oil, it is important to know the answer to the question of how to identify real olive oil.

In this article, we cover topics such as how to identify real olive oil and the health risks of consuming fake olive oil. After reading this article, you can act with more confidence when buying real olive oil.

What is real olive oil?

True olive oil is the oil obtained by mechanically converting olives into oil. Real olive oil is the oil obtained only from the olives themselves and is not processed through any chemical process.

Why choose real olive oil?

Olive oil is an oil that has gained popularity in recent years for its health benefits. Obtained from the fruit of the olive tree, this oil is widely used in skin care and cooking. However, not all olive oil is authentic. Counterfeit olive oil is created due to the poor quality of the materials used in the production process, the use of low-quality olives or the mixing of other oils. Therefore, buying real olive oil is extremely important for protecting your health.

The health benefits of olive oil include many factors such as protecting heart health, antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects and reducing the risk of cancer. Studies show that regular consumption of real olive oil lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) levels and increases HDL (good cholesterol) levels. In addition, real olive oil shows antioxidant effects by neutralizing free radicals in the body, thanks to the polyphenolic components it contains. In addition, real olive oil also shows protective effects against inflammatory diseases and has cancer risk-reducing properties.

Fake olive oil, on the other hand, carries many risks that can negatively affect your health. The chemical additives, toxic components and saturated fats in fake olive oil can cause many diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. The materials and mixtures used in the production of fake olive oil may contain harmful substances that can pose a danger to your health.

types of olive oil

1. Refined Olive Oil

Refined olive oil is obtained by converting processed olives into oil through chemical treatment. Refined olive oil is cheaper than other types of olive oil, but it has less flavor.

2. Cold pressed olive oil

Cold-pressed olive oil is obtained by mechanically crushing olives. In this method, the olives do not undergo any heat treatment. Cold-pressed olive oil is tastier and has more nutritional value than other types of olive oil.

3. Natural extra virgin olive oil

Natural extra virgin olive oil is obtained by mechanically crushing olives. In this method, only pressure is applied without exposing the olives to heat. Natural extra virgin olive oil is the best quality olive oil.

4. Organic olive oil

Organic olive oil is olive oil obtained from olives grown without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Organic olive oil is an environmentally friendly product and is healthier. Organic olive oil producers use natural methods when growing olives and strive to ensure that olives do not harm the environment.

Methods to distinguish real olive oil

Read labels

When buying olive oil, it is important to carefully read the label of the product. Real olive oil is made only from the olives themselves and does not contain any other oils. The words “pure olive oil” or “extra virgin olive oil” on the label indicate that it is real olive oil.

Color and transparency control

Real olive oil should have a greenish-yellow or green color. This color can vary depending on factors such as the ripeness of the olives, the temperature and the region where they were picked, but is usually a natural greenish yellow or green color. Fake olive oil, on the other hand, is usually darker green or light gold in color. Color differences can be caused by differences in the quality of the olives or the low quality of the materials used in the production process.

The transparency of olive oil is also important. Real olive oil has a clear and bright appearance. This transparency is the result of careful processing and filtering methods in the production process. Counterfeit olive oil, on the other hand, often has a cloudy and dull appearance. This cloudiness can be caused by the oil remaining raw, not being filtered, or the mixtures causing cloudiness.

Smell test

Olive oil has a characteristic smell and real olive oil has a distinct fruity smell. Counterfeit olive oil, on the other hand, is usually odorless or has a foul odor. Therefore, before buying olive oil, it is important to do a smell test to determine if the product is genuine.

Real olive oil has a refreshing and fruity scent. This scent comes from the natural aroma of olives and can vary depending on factors such as the region where the olive is grown, the time of harvest and the production process. Counterfeit olive oil, on the other hand, is usually unscented or masked by the scent of another oil. Some fake olive oils can be scented with chemical ingredients or flavorings.

While doing the smell test, open the bottle of olive oil and smell it. Real olive oil has a refreshing scent and the scent will carry light and fruity notes. Fake olive oil is often odorless or has a foul odor. If the olive oil is odorless or has a distinct smell, it probably means you’re dealing with a counterfeit or poor quality product.

Taste test

Olive oil is an oil that stands out for its taste and smell, and real olive oil has a characteristic taste. Counterfeit olive oil, on the other hand, usually has an unpleasant or bitter taste. Therefore, before buying olive oil, it is important to do a taste test to determine whether the product is genuine.

Real olive oil carries the natural aroma of olives and leaves a slightly fruity taste. It may also contain a slight bitterness. Fake olive oil, on the other hand, often has an unpleasant or bitter taste. Some fake olive oils are produced by mixing them with other oils or chemical ingredients and therefore may lack the characteristic olive oil flavour.

While doing the taste test, take olive oil with the help of a small spoon and gently shake in the mouth. Real olive oil leaves a slightly fruity aftertaste and a slight bitterness. Fake olive oil, on the other hand, usually has an unpleasant or bitter taste.

Spilled drop test

Real olive oil is heavy when poured in drops and flows slowly. Fake olive oil, on the other hand, flows quickly.

Freeze test

The freezing process is widely used to distinguish original and fake olive oil. Because original olive oil freezes between 0 and -6 degrees. However, olive oil with additives or other additives freezes at lower temperatures. In this method, if part of the olive oil freezes and part does not, it means that there is an additive in that part.

Disadvantages of counterfeit olive oil

Fake olive oil is often preferred by consumers because it is cheaper than real olive oil. However, there are many health risks associated with consuming fake olive oil. Therefore, when buying olive oil, it is important to avoid counterfeits and buy real olive oil.

Fake olive oil is produced by mixing it with other oils or chemical ingredients. This mixture gives an appearance and somewhat similar taste to olive oil. However, the ingredients in these counterfeit products can be harmful to your body.

There are many health risks associated with consuming fake olive oil. Fake olive oil can harm heart health and lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Fake olive oil also lacks the beneficial antioxidants found in olive oil and can therefore have adverse effects on your body’s immune system and overall health.

Fake olive oil is also a low quality product in terms of flavor and taste. Therefore, when you add it to your meals, you may end up with a low quality taste. Also, when used at high temperatures, fake olive oil can create unhealthy by-products, which can harm your health.

How do you recognize real olive oil?

Real olive oil carries the natural aroma of olives and leaves a slightly fruity taste. It may also contain a slight bitterness. Factors such as labels on the olive oil bottle, color and transparency, smell and taste tests also help identify real olive oil.

What are the health risks of consuming fake olive oil?

Fake olive oil can harm heart health and lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Fake olive oil also lacks the beneficial antioxidants found in olive oil and can therefore have adverse effects on your body’s immune system and overall health.

Why is real olive oil more expensive?

Real olive oil may cost more due to the production process. In addition, real olive oil is a quality product and producers spend extra effort and resources to maintain the quality.

How should olive oil be stored?

Olive oil should be stored in a cool, dark place away from light and heat. Also, the olive oil bottle should be tightly closed. Olive oil should not be kept in the refrigerator, as this can affect the structure of the oil.