What is refined olive oil and is it healthy?

Refined olive oil — you sometimes see it on labels and hear about it a lot lately, but what does it actually mean? And what about the quality, health, and taste? At Gkazas, we love to explain things clearly and honestly. So below is everything you need to know about refined olive oil and whether refined olive oil is healthy.

What is refined olive oil?

Refined olive oil is olive oil that has been processed to neutralize odor, color, and taste. This has to do with the story around olive oil quality. Olive oil has attributes (positive flavor characteristics such as fruitiness and a peppery finish) and defects (negative flavor traits like strong odor or off taste). Refining olive oil removes the defects from the oil.

Refining olive oil can be done in various ways. For example, we refine our pomace olive oil completely naturally by steaming it in an airtight container where oxygen does not come into contact with the oil. This prevents any burning process and protects the oil from damage. Read more here about how pomace olive oil is made.

However, refining often also involves high temperatures and chemical processes. This causes many natural antioxidants and vitamins to be lost. The result? A rather neutral oil that tastes less pronounced than, for example, extra virgin olive oil.

Is refined olive oil good?

That depends on how the olive oil was produced, what you want to use it for, and what you value most. As mentioned before, olive oil can be refined naturally or with chemical processes. We only refine naturally, and then refined olive oil is good.

In addition, refined olive oil is very heat resistant, making it ideal for frying or roasting. Since the oil is more neutral in taste due to removal of defects through refining, this type of olive oil works well in dishes like stir-fries. That’s why we recommend cooking with pomace olive oil.

If you’re looking for an oil rich in flavor and nutrients, we recommend choosing a less processed variant. Like our organic olive oil, a pure olive oil that is cold-pressed directly.

How do you know if olive oil is refined?

You can often tell from the label whether an oil is refined. If it says things like ‘pure olive oil,’ ‘light olive oil,’ or simply ‘olive oil,’ it usually means a refined variant. If it says extra virgin, then you know for sure the oil is direct and unprocessed — exactly how olive oil was meant to be. Here you can find the different types of olive oil.

Which is better, refined or unrefined olive oil?

When it comes to taste and health, unrefined olive oil almost always wins. It contains more antioxidants, vitamins, and flavor. But if you want to use olive oil at high temperatures, prefer a more neutral taste, and/or care more about your budget, then a refined oil is more practical. That’s why we offer pomace olive oil: a nice balance between heat resistance and quality.

Is refined olive oil healthy?

Compared to many other oils — like sunflower or canola oil — refined olive oil still contains a high amount of healthy single unsaturated fats. So not only is extra virgin olive oil healthier than the alternatives, but science also shows this applies to (our) pomace olive oil as well.

Of course, the downside is that refining causes loss of healthy nutrients. That’s why for cooking at high heat, you should preferably choose a refined oil with an honest story — like our pomace olive oil.

Is refined olive oil healthier than sunflower oil?

Generally yes. Refined olive oil contains more monounsaturated fats and less omega-6 than sunflower oil. This contributes to a better fatty acid balance in your diet. You can read more about this in our article about olive oil versus sunflower oil.

What is refined olive oil and is it healthy?

So, now you know what refined olive oil is and whether it’s healthy. Curious which olive oil suits your needs? Then check out our handy buying guide in our webshop. If you have any further questions, please contact us. We’re happy to help!