Greek Olive Oil

The epic poet Homer dubbed it "liquid gold;" it was used as a medicine, a cosmetic, and Greek athletes doused their bodies in it.  Olive oil has been a national staple of Greece since the earliest records of its existence in the region 7,000 years ago.

Known to the world for many things, Greece is often synonymous with olive oil production.  And it's no wonder, as the nation produces over 430,000 tons annually, over 75 percent of which is extra virgin (the best kind), making Greece the world's largest exporter of extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil can be used for everything from cooking to health and beauty.  Below you will find a guide to different kinds of olive oil, why it is good for you, and some Greek recipes that use it.

Kinds of Olive Oil

What to look for— light olive oil and pure olive oil are much lighter both in flavor and color but not in fat or calories, and they have fewer protective properties and health benefits.  To protect your arteries and your cholesterol the most, reach for the first press Extra Virgin varieties. Below is the breakdown of oilive oil qualities, from best to least desirable.

  • Extra Virgin: A fine and delicate taste, palatable and acidity is never more than 1 percent. Comes from first pressing.
  • Virgin or Select: Acidity level between 1 percent and 2 percent, also fine tasting but slightly more bold than extra virgin.
  • Pure: Good-tasting mixture of refined and virgin or extra virgin.
  • Refined or Commercial: Consists of lampante, from which acid, color, and odor have been filtered out.
  • Lampante: Oil of a high acid content, derived from a second pressing of residual pulp and hot water.
  • Sulfide: Extracted with solvents and refined many times. 

Olive Oil and Health

It is popular medical knowledge that eating foods high in cholesterol and saturated fats raises blood cholesterol, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Deposits of cholesterol and plaque build up in the lining of the food vessels, forcing the blood to flow at a higher perssure.  Countries with higher incidents of heart disease tend to have regional diets higher in cholesterol and saturated (animal) fat, whereas countries with phenomenally low rates of cardiovascular disease tend to have national diets that consist of a good deal of fish oil and polyunsaturated fat that actually reduces cholesterol levels.

Olve oil is one of the only oils that is high in monounsaturates, which lower the harmful cholesterol levels and stimulate good kinds of cholesterol. Recent studies also show that olive oil can act as a anticoagulant, thinning the blood by the same process as aspirin. 

Greek Recipes With Olive Oil

  • Here are some Greek recipes that include olive oil.
  • Recipes with olives and olive oil including olive pate, chicken with olives, and yogurt pie with olive oil.