Extra virgin olive oil has earned the name ‘liquid gold’ and ‘green gold’ for its many health benefits. More and more liters are being sold and department stores and supermarkets are launching offers to lower the price and make it more affordable for citizens’ pockets. In an interview conducted by Men’s Heatlhthe Jaén anthropologist Emilio Lara (57 years old), highlights the virtues of a liquid that was a great source of wealth in ancient times and is now more than just a food with which to dress salads.
In his book ‘A Sea of Green Gold’, the expert tells how olive oil has become more than just a food, fully entering the health market, perfumes or massage ointments. In fact, the Romans already used it and gave it such importance that they placed it on the same level as “law, Latin or their legions.”
Spain leads the international olive oil market with a production of around 50% of the world total, with provinces like Jaén where it is common to find huge olive groves. The explanation is the Mediterranean climate that produces the best olives.
All of this results in countries like Greece or Italy having focused on the production of olive oil and the United States or Japan, where this olive-growing tradition does not exist, having opened up to this new market.
Experts are clear about this and point out that when it comes to getting a quality olive oil, it is important to prioritize extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), leaving aside refined ones “when looking for organoleptic properties and superior nutritional benefits.”
Prevents vascular and neurodegenerative diseases
Extra virgin olive oil, for the expert, is a “fountain of eternal youth”, since it prevents cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, which is why its consumption is indicated for elderly people. “Many of these lines of research are still open but inclusion in the Mediterranean diet has a broad medical consensus.”
“It is a spectacular antioxidant, it keeps cells young and it is already being studied how it combats stress and depression. It is also being used as a protector or bulletproof vest for certain types of cancer, because it is a bit of an oncological brake, and let’s not forget, it is also used in cosmetics.”
Olive oil is more expensive, but you buy “premium quality”
Lara points out that the price of extra virgin olive oil is continually changing, that there have been times when it has been more expensive but that, when paying a higher price, one must know that the consumer is taking home a “premium category” and that “a bottle can last a long time if it is not wasted.” “Even the Japanese have gone crazy with olive oil!”
His advice for choosing an oil is because it is EVOO, “it means that it is first-pressed olive juice and it is the one that should be consumed.” It is also good to consider that not all olives are the same and that their choice is “based on the consumer’s taste” and can be found soft, picual or arbequina, among others.
“If a Roman did not have olive oil, he did not feel Roman”
In Rome, having amphorae of olive oil in homes was common. To the point that yes, there was no “they didn’t feel Roman”. “For them it was as important as law, Latin or its legions and public works. It has been a triumphant model of life that is exported to the entire planet and that is why it is being understood in this way, like the culture of olive oil. Spain is a world leader and we have wet Italy’s ear.”