Olive Oil vs Avocado Oil: Your Questions Answered
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Olive Oil vs Avocado Oil: Your Questions Answered

Read on to learn about two of the most popular cooking fats on the market, what differentiates them, and why knowing where your oil is coming from is so important!

It feels like the avocado oil options have skyrocketed onto grocery shelves in the past couple of years. From what began as a few bottles here and there, now take up entire sections of the grocery store. So you're probably wondering what's the deal with this cooking fat newcomer, which oil should I use in my cooking, and how does one juice an avocado? 

What's the Difference Between Olive Oil and Avocado Oil?

The main difference between olive oil and avocado oil, as you may have guessed, is the source of the oil. Olive oil is pressed from olives and avocado oil is derived from the flesh of the avocado (the green part we mash onto toast). Olive Oil has a range of types and tastes. For example, Sizzle Graza's cooking oil, is known for its ability to take high heats and mellow taste. On the other-hand, Drizzle has a punchy peppery finish, best as a topping on any and all dishes. Olive oils also range in their refining process, from light or pure olive oil which undergoes multiple rounds of heat to extra virgin olive oil which is the least refined (our favorite). 

Avocado oil is made by grinding the flesh of the fruit into a paste, malaxing (fancy word for kneading or rubbing a substance) the paste, and then separating the oil from the solids. There are two types of avocado oil: virgin and refined. Refined avocado oil undergoes additional rounds of heat giving it a higher smoke point compared to virgin or unrefined avocado oil. 

Health Benefits of Olive Oil and Avocado Oil

Depending on the brand of oil, both avocado oil and olive oil can be packed with antioxidants and heart healthy nutrients. Avocado oil and olive oil are full of monounsaturated fat, which help to reduce cholesterol and Vitamin E. Avocado oil contains high levels of lutein which is great for eye health. Olive oil is high in polyphenols, which have important anti-inflammatory properties. 

Scientists found that working avocado oil and olive oil into your diet boosts digestive health. Both oils can protect and promote a healthy gut. The flavonoids in olive oil are known to have antibacterial effects. Avocado and olive oil are also great for their skin-nourishing properties. If you want glowing skin, get some healthy oils! The oils' high levels of monounsaturated fats and Vitamin E feed and moisturize skin, they also quench free radicals that cause premature aging. 

It's important to note that all of these benefits are only available with unrefined, unblended oils. When shopping for avocado oil it's crucial to look for the harvesting date and whether or not the oil is cut with any other vegetable oils. A recent study by the University of California Davis revealed that 82% of avocado oils on grocery shelves were rancid or mixed with other oils. It's important to be curious and ask questions about the true origins and contents on your oil. If you're paying 100% of the price, make sure you're getting 100% real avocado oil. 

Avocado oil can be an excellent addition to the kitchen, but make sure you're getting the real stuff.

Smoke Points

One of the biggest differences between avocado oil and olive oil, are the oil's respective smoke points. Avocado Oil has a slightly higher smoke point at 480F, while EVOO is about 420F. Both are suitable for everyday kitchen cooking and heats. 

Which Oil is Best For You?

At Graza, we want to inspire cooking curiosity. That means creating a kitchen lineup full of thoughtful and honestly sourced ingredients. Every bottle of Graza contains the harvest and bottling date as well as a promise that the oil is never cut nor blended with any other oils. The Duo is an extremely versatile cooking set as it offers a cooking oil option for higher heats: think grilling, baking, sautéing, etc and a finishing oil to add a punch of flavor to any dish! 

If you're looking to get an oil that can withstand higher heats with mild to limited flavor, avocado oil might be the cooking fat for you! Just make to sure to check the bottle and know where it's coming from and what it may or may not be cut with. You have to choose the oil that suits your kitchen and cooking needs, now you have the tools to determine which cooking fat that may be! 

 

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