An olive oil producer has revealed five things you should never do with the cupboard staple – and one of them could ruin your supermarket shop.
USA’s Skyler Mapes took the lead tiktok to give you the best advice on what to avoid when purchasing, using or storing the product.
The olive oil producer runs her own company EXAU, named after the ancient Roman phrase Ex Albis Ulivis, meaning “white olive” in Latin, together with her Italian husband, Giuseppe.
The couple sources the key ingredient from their family farm along the Ionian coast of Calabria in Italy.
Many of us rely on the golden elixir for frying, dressing salads, and preparing delicious pasta recipes.
US olive oil producer Skyler Mapes (pictured) took to TikTok to offer her top tips on what to avoid when buying, using or storing the product.
But although it is versatile, olive oil spoils much more easily than many might expect, according to the producer.
Introducing the video, Skyler said: “Here are five things you should never do, from an olive oil producer.”
‘Number one: do not buy olive oil in plastic containers. If you keep one thing from this, don’t buy olive oil in plastic,” he encouraged.
Although many of us may opt for olive oil packaged in plastic, which is usually the cheapest option in the supermarket, “it degrades the quality of the oil and is also harmful to the environment.”
Skyler’s second tip also concerns the type of packaging the oil comes in.
The producer recommended that olive oil users “not buy it” in transparent glass containers, or in any transparent container.
This is because olive oil can easily oxidize when placed near direct sunlight.
“Olive oil photooxidizes, so when that direct light source hits the product, it will accelerate the oxidation process, meaning the oil will turn rancid faster,” he explained.
The olive oil producer runs her own company EXAU, named after the ancient Roman phrase Ex Albis Ulivis to describe the best olive oil, together with her Italian husband, Giuseppe.
And it is not only the light that poses a risk to the Mediterranean salad.
Skyler’s third tip is to avoid storing olive oil anywhere it may be exposed to heat, including the microwave.
“Do not store oil in a place where it will be exposed to heat,” he warned.
‘Many people forget this and store the oil next to the oven or on top of the oven or right next to the stove.
“Here’s the thing: When olive oil is constantly exposed to higher temperatures for long periods, it degrades, so try to keep it away from the oven, stove, or a direct heat source, even the microwave.”
His fourth tip is to always check the label on olive oil containers, as it can reveal the purity of the product.
The producer recommended that olive oil users “not buy it” in transparent glass containers, or in any transparent container. Stock image used
According to Skyler, it’s best to opt for products that don’t include multiple different sources, as they can dilute the purity of the product.
“Stay away from products that have like four different countries on the back of the label,” he warned.
‘There’s nothing wrong with buying that type of oil if that’s what you want. The problem is that if a lot of brands are misleading, they might say “Tuscan blood” and then you turn the bottle over and on the label it says Greece, Portugal, Italy, Argentina and has several different countries listed. label.
‘Get away from it!’
The fifth and final piece of advice from the olive producer was to avoid big brands.
‘Smaller companies have much more influence over the trees they harvest, how things are made and when they are milled. We have much more control.
‘For example, my husband and I own olive trees and, as our brand grows, we can harvest our neighbors’ trees or our aunt’s, so we understand exactly what is happening with agricultural practices on our land , but also with the people around us. .
‘This ensures we use ethical farming practices, treat the land well and do everything right.
“This comes down to understanding and wanting to know where your food comes from and I hope that’s really important to our consumers.”