Can You Fry With Olive Oil? Debunking the Myths and Revealing the Truth

Olive Oil Smoke Point

Are you under the impression that olive oil is not suitable for frying because it has a low smoke point? Think again! According to the UC Davis Olive Center, olive oil actually has a smoke point ranging from 347°F (175°C) to 464°F (240°C), depending on the grade, quality, and freshness. In fact, compared with canola, rice-bran, and high-oleic peanut oils, olive oil can even have a higher smoke point. Given that most deep frying starts with oil between 325°F and 375°F, it's safe to say that olive oil is a good and healthier alternative to many other oils on the market.

Benefits of Frying with Olive Oil

Did you know that one of the main benefits of frying with olive oil is its health benefits? Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are considered healthy fats that can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, frying with olive oil can add a rich, nutty flavor to your food that other oils cannot provide.

However, it's important to be aware of the potential drawbacks of frying with olive oil. One of the main concerns is the oil's potential to become rancid or produce harmful compounds when exposed to high heat. This can be avoided by using a high-quality oil with a high smoke point and avoiding overheating the oil.

Olive Oil Quality

At Heraclea, all of our products are PDO-certified, meaning our extra virgin olive oil is always high-quality. The only distinction between our two products is the harvest time. Early Harvest olive oil is made from green (unripe) olives harvested from October until mid-November. Mature Harvest olive oil, on the other hand, is made from black (ripe) olives harvested from mid-November until January. Green olives, and thus olive oil made from them, are more fruity, grassy, and peppery because unripe olives have a higher polyphenol concentration. We choose different harvest periods for these products because we want to make sure that they give the taste that we want them to and be suitable for their relevant uses. Early Harvest, with its fruity and peppery aroma, is a perfect choice for finishing. It'll take your dish to the next level for sure. Mature Harvest, is specifically designed to be the go-to olive oil for baking, cooking, grilling, frying, and anything that makes you feel warm inside.

For this reason, we recommend using Mature Harvest for frying because it has a well-balanced, neutral taste and just enough fruitiness to make it a perfect fit for frying.