GARDENPlants and seeds

Wholesale Olive Oil Selection

Followers of the Mediterranean diet believe that regular intake of grains, nuts and seeds, fresh vegetables and olive oil is the secret to good health. Health experts as well recommend eliminating a high saturated and trans fat diet and replacing these bad fats with olive oil. This health trend has led to an increase in the demand for wholesale olive oil in the market.

Extra virgin for best quality

Wholesale olive oil is readily available mostly in countries with warm sub tropical climates like those in the Mediterranean region and some parts of Queensland Australia and the US. It comes from the olive – a round, green fruit that is harvested between the end of summer and the onset of winter.

The selection and harvest of the fruits are labour-intensive because these must be handpicked to prevent damage and bruises. Timing is crucial in the harvest because these fruits mature within a 6-week time frame, also known as the “window” for harvesting. Only mature fruits are picked which readily expresses an oily fluid when pressed at the stem end.

After washing, the fruits are immediately processed to extract the oils using low temperatures so as not to destroy the antioxidants and nutrients. When oil is extracted in this way it is referred to as ‘extra virgin’, the best for your health.

Production issues

The right variety for oil production is also important because not all olive varieties yield high amounts of oil and can be difficult to process for extraction. More entrepreneurial oversease growers use chemicals and high temperatures to increase their yeilds, but this is to the detriment of the fruit and oils, resulting in a poorer quality product. Others also mix a little extra virgin oil with other types of oils. These are not, strictly speaking, extra virgin but are sometimes marketed as such to command a higher price in the market.

Extra virgin oil is a rich source of polyphenols or plant antioxidants and monounsaturated fatty acids which are known to prevent most diseases including the following:

* hypertension

* cardiovascular diseases

* degenerative diseases

* inflammatory bowel disease

* colon cancer

* diabetes

To date, studies continue to show how wholesale olive oil can be used for other health purposes such as to aid in weight loss and to keep excess weight off permanently, lower cholesterol levels, heal the skin from sunburn and moisturise hair and skin. It is also the main ingredient of beauty products like shampoos, conditioners, moisturizing creams and massage oils.

Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens – Sensory Garden QLD 4215

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