Olive Oil
The greatest exponent of monounsaturated fat is olive oil, and it is a prime component of the Mediterranean Diet. Olive oil is a natural juice which preserves the taste, aroma, vitamins and properties of the olive fruit. Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is - freshly pressed from the fruit.
The olive tree is native to the Mediterranean basin; wild olives were collected as early as the 8th millennium BC. The wild olive tree originated in Anatolia in modern Turkey *.
Extra-virgin olive oil is mostly used for salad dressings and foods to be eaten cold. Used cold, its strong flavor is able to stick out while not being compromised by heat. It is also used for sauteing ingredients.
The higher the temperature to which the olive oil is heated, the more one should prefer the use of refined olive oils. When extra-virgin olive oil is heated above 350oF (180oC), the unrefined particles within the oil get burned. This leads to deteriorated taste.
Health Benefits
In the United States, producers of olive oil may place the following health claim on product labels. Other ongoing studies suggest that olive oil can also be beneficial for colon cancer patients.
Limited and not conclusive scientific evidence suggests that eating about two tablespoons (23 grams) of olive oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to the monounsaturated fat in olive oil. To achieve this possible benefit, olive oil is to replace a similar amount of saturated fat and not increase the total number of calories you eat in a day.
Amphora Olive Oil
Turkey is one of the world's oldest producers and connoisseurs of olive oil. The ancient Greek poet, Homer, once called olive oil "liquid gold". To this day, Turkish people hold their oil in high esteem. There is even an entire cuisine dedicated to olive oil. Consequently, producers like Amphora, take pride and great care to press some of the world's finest oil.
Even though Turkey is the fourth largest producer of olive oil, most of its product is shipped to Italy where it is bottled, packaged, and shipped all over the world. Turkey has only recently gained recognition in the United States for its quality oil and has begun to make its way to local markets. Taste the richness and take in the aroma that thousands of years of cultivation and craftsmanship give to Turkish olive oil today.
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| Extra Virgin Light and tasty, Amphora Extra Virgin Olive Oil is great for everyday cooking and salad dressing. |
Premium Extra Virgin Amphora Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil is from an award winning region of Turkey called Ayvalik and is known for it's incredible aroma. |
Organic Extra Virgin Bold in flavor yet smooth in finish, Amphora Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is perfect for dipping, cooking, or salad dressing and is USDA and ICEA approved. |
See Amphora International website (www.amphorainternational.com) or the information sheet (pdf) to get more information about the products.
