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Living in Sonoma County in Northern California where olive orchards abound -- you could spend an entire weekend touring estates and shops -- tasting not just wines, but olive oils. My favorite is The Olive Press located in the city of Sonoma.
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Health Benefits -
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There may be added health benefits that make purchasing that - not so cheap - bottle of extra virgin oil worth it.
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The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content of antioxidative substances. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels. (1-3) No other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated as olive oil -mainly oleic acid.
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But while all types of olive oil are sources of monounsaturated fat, EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives, contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and phenols, because it is less processed.
But while all types of olive oil are sources of monounsaturated fat, EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives, contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and phenols, because it is less processed.
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Extra virgin - considered the best, least processed, comprising the oil from the first pressing of the olives.
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Virgin - from the second pressing.
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Pure - undergoes some processing, such as filtering and refining.
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Extra light - undergoes considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavour.
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