Extra Virgin Olive Oils are widely known as healthy oil with lots of benefits such as lowering cholesterol levels, lowering the risk of heart diseases, and keeping your hair and skin healthy.
Coconut oil is also gradually being known as one of the healthy oils. Like Olive Oils, they are a good source of antioxidants that help neutralise free radicals (damaging molecules).
But which one is better? With so many health gurus and research promoting both Olive Oils and coconut oils as good options, it can be a little hard to decide. But we are here to say that the clear winner is Olive Oil, and here’s why.
Olive Oils are more Versatile
Both olive oils and coconut oils have a distinct smell and flavour profile. Coconuts oil smells obviously of coconuts and has a subtle sweet flavour. They are great when added to desserts and dishes where you prefer a little sweetness or a tropical taste.
Olive oils will have an olive-like flavour. Their taste can vary depending on where you buy them, where the olives were harvested, the production process, and where the oils came from. Some of them can have a slightly bitter and pepper-like taste, whereas others can be fruity, a little nutty, or buttery- this means that they can be used for all kinds of dishes from a wholesome salad, avocado, and eggs on toasts to pesto pasta, and delicious cakes.
They can even be infused with garlic, chilli, lemon, and herbs which gives it tons of flavours making the dishes smell and taste even more delicious.
So, this round goes to Olive Oils.
Olive Oils contains less saturated fat
Studies show that saturated fats contribute to increased cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart diseases, so it is beneficial to swap to unsaturated fats like Olive Oils.
Olive oils are known to have much lower saturated fats than coconut oils. According to Food Data Central, a teaspoon of olive oil contains 1.86 grams of saturated fat, whereas a teaspoon of coconut oil contains 11.6 grams of saturated fat.
Additionally, compared to coconut oils, Olive Oils contain a higher amount of nutrients such as vitamins e and k, making them a much healthier option than coconut oils.
Olive oil contains antioxidants
Olive Oils are rich in antioxidants known to have many positive health effects such as lowered inflammation and decreased oxidative damage to our DNA. Coconut oils are also known to have some antioxidants but not to the extent of olive oils.
Quality
Olive oils may seem slightly cheaper than coconut oils, but it is all down to one thing, quality!
The quality of both Olive Oils and coconut oils determines their flavours and the benefits it carries. You will want to avoid overly cheap, fake, and heavily processed oils.
At Avlaki, we use the highest quality of olives to ensure that you get the finest quality extra virgin organic olive oils. We pick our olives only in December when they are at their optimum for taste. They are milled within 24 hours and bottled unfiltered within weeks.
So, to conclude, when it comes to health benefits, versatility, and flavours, high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil wins!
Coconut oils are also good for health and have multiple benefits, but it is hard to ignore all the studies that confirm Olive Oils outweigh any other oils when it comes to health benefits.
At Avlaki, we offer three ranges of high-quality organic and extra virgin olive oils, all unique in taste, smell, and flavours.
- Lesvos Groves
Our Lesvos Groves olive oil is the ultimate versatile oil and can be used for roasting, drizzling, dipping, baking, frying, and more! This light and smooth oil have a gentle flavour and light consistency.
- Agatheri Groves
Agatheri Groves olive oil has a floral aroma, with a light consistency and a slight pepperiness towards the end, making it perfect for drizzling in your salads and vegetables.
- Avlaki Groves
Our Avlaki Groves olive oil has a slightly fruity, grassy, and peppery finish. It is buttery and goes fantastically well with zesty dishes such as ripe sliced tomatoes, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, oily fish, and barbecued meat. We also offer a range of gift sets and taster sets for those looking to try a bit of everything.