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Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Characteristics, Nutritional Properties and Health Benefits
On Pinocchio's Pantry you can shop online for the best Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We import the cold pressed olive oil directly from Italy, and it gives an intense and unique taste to all dishes where it is used.
Fragrant, tasty and a great friend of the heart and health: EVO oil is the functional food par excellence.
Known and used since ancient times, extra virgin olive oil is a cornerstone of the Mediterranean Diet. Over the years, the studies have demonstrated its many great nutritional qualities. One of these qualities makes it the best source of fat available for human nutrition.
Also called EVO, it is a food not only tasty and super fragrant but also a food with a perfect balance of mono and polyunsaturated fats, which differentiate it from any other animal or vegetable fat; it is truly suitable for everyone, from weaning babies to adults and the elderly.
Starting from the olives, different types of oil can be obtained, each of which corresponds to a different product classification and a different level.
Olio EVO is the abbreviated name now commonly used to refer to extra virgin olive oil.
Extra virgin olive oil (EVO) is the highest quality product and on the label it is defined as "Superior category olive oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means.”
It is a food of high quality because it is obtained exclusively from the pressing of only olives from which it retains all the nutritional properties.
Produced from whole, healthy, fresh fruits harvested at the right degree of ripeness,
EVO oil is obtained without the addition of any chemical additives and extracted with exclusively mechanical processes.
In order for an oil to be declared EVO It must have:
While extra virgin olive oil is obtained by physical and mechanical processes and without any chemical, other kinds of oil varieties are produced with refining processes that make use of chemical solvents necessary to neutralize the high starting acidity and other serious organoleptic defects. These other oils usually have bad tastes and aromas and lose much of the nutritional value of olive oil.
How to choose a quality EVO oil
In substance EVO High Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oils are characterized by:
Extra virgin olive oil: beneficial properties
As we have already seen, by virtue of its typical composition, EVO oil is one of the best fats to use for your daily diet; a real functional food with a thousand properties extremely useful for preserving the state of health and preventing numerous diseases.
Let's start by remembering that its high caloric content, as well as the presence, albeit modest, of saturated fats, requires its use in moderation: the guidelines suggest 2 to 4 portions of 10 ml (= 1 tablespoon) per day for adults and children.
EVO oil reduces cholesterol and protects cardiovascular health
The high presence of oleic acid, together with that of essential fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acid), make EVO oil a precious ally of the cardiovascular system: keeping the so-called bad cholesterol (LDL) under control and not bringing cholesterol, protects the functionality of the heart and the entire cardiovascular system.
EVO oil has a powerful antioxidant action, slowing down cellular aging
Extra virgin olive oil has a fundamental antioxidant function thanks to the many polyphenols and vitamin E: it therefore counteracts the formation of free radicals, the cause of cellular aging.
EVO oil protects the skin and makes it more elastic
The presence of abundant VIT E, called the vitamin of beauty, together with the content of carotenoids and vitamin A, which promote the synthesis of collagen and the formation of new cells, contribute to an elastic and healthy skin.
Extra virgin olive oil vs other fats
Many people are convinced that olive oil is more "fat and caloric" than other vegetable oils, but be careful. Oil is oil and as such always brings 9 Kcal per gram. What changes is its fatty acid composition as well as its flavor and color. Quality EVO oil not only has the same calories as all other vegetable oils with a much more advantageous lipid profile, but due to its intense flavor and aroma, a smaller quantity will tend to be used in the Kitchen.
Unlike butter and lard, as well as vegetable fats such as coconut, palm and rapeseed, it does not provide cholesterol and has a very low saturated content.
For all these reasons it represents the best fat for daily use: remember that despite being stable at high temperatures, its consumption raw allows you to obtain the maximum of antioxidant substances since many polyphenols and vitamins are thermolabile and are damaged by cooking.
Buy From Our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Selection Online
Colavita Evo and Flavored Oils
Born from the love and passion of the Colavita family, “Selezione Italiana” is an extra virgin olive oil that has a full flavor, is pleasantly fruity, and has light bitter and spicy notes. Colavita Evo oil is produced with a wise and careful selection of the best olives harvested and pressed, when ripening has just begun, exclusively in Italy (certificate 100 % Italian).
Excellent for using raw to season salads, boiled vegetables, legumes, soups, red meats and first courses of traditional Italian cuisine.
From the encounter between the goodness of the Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the taste of typical Mediterranean flavors, the Colavita Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oils, the Basil oil, the Pepper oil, the Lemon oil, and the Garlic oil are perfect for enriching dishes with fresh aromas and fragrances and to give a whole new taste to salads, vegetables, sauces and bruschetta.
If you like truffles you should try to our special Bartolini Evo White truffle Oil and Black Truffle Oil.
San Giuliano Organic Oil
San Giuliano is a historic agricultural, milling and packaging company in Alghero, Sardinia, with a low environmental impact.
For over a hundred years, San Giuliano has been producing excellent Extra Virgin Olive Oil from a careful selection of cultivars of exclusively Sardinian and Italian origin; a rich production that is completed with the proposal of its 100% Italian blends.
San Giuliano Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced under the direct control of ICEA (Institute for Environmental Certification). The olive groves dedicated to this oil have been cultivated since the early 90s with organic methods for sustainable rural development. The olives, selected, are cold worked in the modern company oil mill which allows to keep all their organoleptic characteristics intact.
In our online shop you can order selected Balsamic Vinegars, which have traditionally matured in the Modena region for a very long time. Buying Balsamic Vinegar online requires your trust and experience. Therefore, each of our Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena D.O.P. is tasted and evaluated by us before being placed in our shop.
The Properties of Balsamic Vinegar
Needless to say: the organoleptic properties of balsamic vinegar are numerous. It has a unique and enveloping flavor that enhances the taste of the food that accompanies and enriches every dish. However, its qualities are not only these. In fact, we are dealing with a very popular condiment in our kitchens, whose texture we appreciate, but we do not know its potential from a nutritional and therapeutic point of view. In practice, this typical Italian product is a marvel! Let's find out why.
From the vinegar “acetaia” to our tables
Since 2001, Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena has acquired the Protected Designation of Origin. This is because it is a very special product, which is prepared with fermented and acetified grape must, which is then left to age for years ... This is certainly the true traditional balsamic vinegar.
This condiment offers a good dose of carbohydrates, a reduced protein intake and many mineral salts such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in valid quantities, and even minimal levels of manganese, iron, copper and zinc. Since the Middle Ages, it was thought that balsamic vinegar had numerous therapeutic properties. To be exact, it was believed that it could heal a bit of everything, both the most serious illnesses and minor ailments. The fact that only nobles and merchants could afford it made it even more valuable in the eyes of the people.
It was believed to have astringent, disinfectant, antibacterial and antiviral properties; it was used to disinfect wounds and to treat epidermal infections and various problems affecting the skin appendages. To date, many of these potential benefits have been confirmed, but the truth is that balsamic vinegar has so many characteristics that we often cannot even imagine.
The benefits of regular consumption of balsamic vinegar
A product made properly can give those who consume it a powerful antioxidant action. Its high levels of polyphenols and bioflavonoids (already present in grapes) help to fight free radicals, strengthen the immune system, promote longevity and general well-being of the organism. According to numerous researches, this condiment is even an excellent ally for weight control and digestion: it slows down and improves digestive processes, increases the sense of satiety, is low in calories and cholesterol-free.
Some scholars believe that balsamic vinegar can help regulate blood sugar levels and that its polyphenols can support enzymes in breaking down proteins into amino acids, thus optimizing numerous metabolic processes. Finally, it is useful to consider that this dressing is able to regulate blood pressure, promote heart health and promote the absorption of magnesium and calcium.
At this point, we just have to tell you this: don't forget that to enjoy the right benefits, you need to use the right vinegar and be wary of imitations. On the market, there are a lot of non-quality products. In this regard, the main suggestion is to focus on a typical product, already well known and, above all, Made in Italy, just like ours! This way, you can't go wrong!
Acetaia Malpighi exports the culture of the true Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena and Balsamic Vinegar of Modena all over the world. Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is aged in wooden barrels for years and Malpighi's particular 100ml bottle, conceived by the designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, is a true piece of Italian design.
To produce Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena some conditions are necessary:
The microclimate of Modena
Cold for decanting, hot for fermentation.
It is precisely the microclimate of Modena and its province, with the bitter cold in winter and the torrid and humid heat in summer, that offers the sufficient and necessary condition to produce a Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena that is unique in the world. Its existence, therefore, is due to the particular microclimatic characteristics of the territory, to which are added the knowledge, skills and secrets that the human factor has elaborated and transmitted in the development of the history of vinegar, recipes and preparation methods.
Typical Modenese grapes
Lambrusco di Modena (red grapes), Trebbiano di Spagna and Trebbiano di Modena (white grapes).
The barrels
They must be of different woods: cherry, acacia, chestnut, oak, mulberry and juniper.
The Consortium of Ancient Acetaie Producers aims to "carry out an intense cognitive and promotional work and to achieve all the legal recognition necessary to obtain the designation of origin to allow the marketing of this particular product." The product thus named must be obtained from cooked must, over direct heat, in an open vessel of grapes produced from vines traditionally grown in the province of Modena.
We decided to have Acetaia Malpighi because it is a family that has been producing Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena for 5 generations.
On Pinocchio's Pantry you can find the best selection of jarred vegetables to buy online. We offer high quality products from selected producers.
Pickled and jarred vegetables in Italy have an ancient history. Originally, jarred vegetables were made for the need to store supplies for the winter: summer vegetables were put in oil as a stock to cope with the colder periods. Of course, now we no longer have the need to accumulate reserves, but the pleasure of vegetables preserved in oil has not disappeared.
Artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, peppers, onions and aubergines, so on and so forth. The list of vegetables that can be preserved in oil is almost endless.
But what really happens inside the jar? The oil acts as an insulator and prevents contact with the air. The proliferation of aerobic bacteria is therefore totally inhibited.
And what's the secret of a delicious vegetable jar? There are good ones and not good ones, and then there are the exceptional ones. The difference is in the raw materials. Large Italian companies, such as La Cerignola and San Giuliano are always the best choice.
In Italy, Jarred Vegetables are traditionally used in the “Antipasto” to accompany platters of cold cuts and cheeses, season bruschetta and croutons and also to turn into quick and super tasty sauces for all types of pasta. They cannot be missing with boiled meat and salami and they also taste great in sandwiches such as sun dried tomatoes and pecorino, artichokes and mortadella or onions and goat cheese. Even when the fridge is empty and we have unexpected guests, we always manage to get by with good pickled and jarred vegetables.
Consumption of pickled and jarred vegetables is well distributed throughout the boot, but it is in Southern Italy that we find exceptional producers. It may be the type of soil or the skill of the farmers, but in fact the jarred vegetables have a completely different flavor here.
La Cerignola, for example, is a family business that wishes to offer the customer pure emotion through their quality food, which tells the story of Puglia and beyond. The high level of professional competence, deriving from many years in the sector, offers guarantees of competitiveness and summarizes the effort made by the company to obtain, while respecting tradition, the best of the processing and conservation of the products of the earth, whether they are intended for family consumption or large retailers.
La Cerignola works with commitment and passion, using only the best fresh raw vegetables to obtain and preserve the highest quality in its jarred food.
In this field, the company represents the highest and most advanced expression of the production of soil products, which are continuously subjected to rigorous controls during the entire processing cycle, maintaining healthy and unique recipes to offer a guarantee of quality.
Rediscover the true flavor of typical Apulian products: choose the classics, made with the freshest and natural ingredients.
Grilled Eggplants, artichokes, mushrooms, capers, peppers and much more, all processed with passion and competence, are able to give an intense and tasty flavor and an irreplaceable fragrance to your every meal.
Find a great selection of extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and jarred vegetables on Pinocchio's Pantry. Buy online now to get all this amazing food delivered quickly to your doorstep.
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