OLIVE OIL
A tablespoon of olive oil contains about 120 calories and 14 grams total fat.
'Light' olive oil refers to the light color and milder flavor - it is not lower in fat. 'Light' olive oils also have a higher 'smoke point,' so they may be used for high heat sauteing or frying.
Light olive oils have the same calories as other olive oils, about 120 calories per tablespoon. There is no official definition for 'light' olive oils.
Olives are generally cold pressed with millstones (modern facilities may use hydraulic presses).
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil is from the first pressing of the best olives, with an acidity of less than 1%.
• Virgin Olive Oil is from the first pressing of top quality olives, with an acidity of less than 2%.
• Just plain Olive Oil is a blend of virgin and refined olive oil with an acidity of less than 1% - it lacks the good flavor and complexity of virgin olive oils.
• Refined oils use chemicals or heat to extract additional oil after the first cold pressing.
Over 90% of world olive production is used to make olive oil.
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