Brisbane, if you buy your olive oil in bulk, you may have been hit by a shock in recent weeks. Major supermarkets are selling olive oil for up to AU$6 for a four-litre tin and up to AU$26 for a 750ml bottle.
We've been hearing about the health benefits of olive oil for years. And many of us are adding it to salads, or cooking and frying with it.
But during a cost-of-living crisis, these high prices could put olive oil out of reach.Let's take a look at why olive oil is in demand, why it's so expensive right now, and what to do until prices go down.
Remind me, why is olive oil so good for you? Adding olive oil to your diet may reduce the risk of developing diabetes and improve heart health through more favorable blood pressure, inflammation and cholesterol levels. It is possible
This is mainly because olive oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols (antioxidants). Some researchers have suggested that you can get these benefits by consuming up to 20 grams per day. This is equivalent to approximately five teaspoons of olive oil.Why is olive oil so expensive right now? The European heatwave and drought have limited the ability of Spanish and Italian producers to supply olive oil to international markets, including Australia.
This has been combined with an unusually cold and short growing season for Australian olive oil suppliers.
Lower-than-normal production and supply of olive oil, as well as increased demand from buyers, has meant that prices have soared. How can I stretch my olive oil further? Many families buy olive oil in large quantities because It is cheaper per litre. So, if you still have some in stock, you can make it ahead by storing it correctly – make sure the lid is tightly closed and it's stored in a cool dark place, like a pantry or cabinet.If stored this way, olive oil usually lasts for 12-18 months.
Using a spray – Sprays distribute the oil more evenly than pourers, using less olive oil overall. You can buy a spray bottle to fill from a larger tin as needed
Strain or freeze it – If you have leftover olive oil after frying, strain it and reuse it for other fried dishes. You can store this used oil in an airtight container, then melt it and fry in it later without affecting the taste and other characteristics of the oil. But use only fresh oil for dressing. I have run out of olive oil.What else can I use?
Here are some healthy and inexpensive alternatives to olive oil: Canola oil is a good choice for frying. It's relatively low in saturated fat so I generally consider it healthy. Like olive oil, it is high in healthy monounsaturated fats. Cost? Up to $6 for a 750mL bottle (domestic brands are about half the price)Sunflower oil is a great choice in salads or for frying. It has a mild flavor that does not overpower the other ingredients.Some studies suggest that using sunflower oil may help reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing LD (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. Cost? Up to $6.50 for a 750mL bottle (again, domestic brands are about half the price)
Sesame oil has a nutty taste. It is good for Asian dressing and frying. Light sesame oil is typically used as a neutral cooking oil, while the toasted kind I use to flavor sauces. Sesame oil is rich in antioxidants and also has anti-inflammatory properties.Sesame oil is generally sold in smaller bottles than canola or sunflower oil. Cost? Up to $5 for a 150mL bottle. How can I use less oil in general?
Using less oil in cooking can keep your food healthy. Here are some substitutes and cooking techniques: Use substitutes for baking - unless you're making an olive oil cake, if your recipe calls for a large amount of oil, use applesauce, Greek Try using alternatives like yogurt or mashed bananas.
Use non-stick cookware – Using high-quality, non-stick pots and pans reduces the need for oil when cooking, or means you don't need oil at all.Steam instead – Steam vegetables, fish and poultry to retain nutrients and moisture without adding oil Bake or roast – Potatoes, vegetables or chicken can be prepared by baking or roasting instead of frying. You can also get the crispy texture without the need for excessive oil
Grill – The natural fats in meat and vegetables can help keep ingredients moist without using oil
Use stock – Instead of sautéing vegetables in oil, try using vegetable broth or stock to enhance the flavor. Use vinegar or citrus – Vinegar or citrus to add flavor to salads, marinades and sauces without relying on oil. Use citrus juice (like lemon or lime).
Use natural moisture – Use the natural moisture in ingredients like tomatoes, onions and mushrooms to cook dishes without adding extra oil. They release moisture as they cook, which helps prevent sticking.(talk) NSANSA
We've been hearing about the health benefits of olive oil for years. And many of us are adding it to salads, or cooking and frying with it.
But during a cost-of-living crisis, these high prices could put olive oil out of reach.Let's take a look at why olive oil is in demand, why it's so expensive right now, and what to do until prices go down.
Remind me, why is olive oil so good for you? Adding olive oil to your diet may reduce the risk of developing diabetes and improve heart health through more favorable blood pressure, inflammation and cholesterol levels. It is possible
This is mainly because olive oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols (antioxidants). Some researchers have suggested that you can get these benefits by consuming up to 20 grams per day. This is equivalent to approximately five teaspoons of olive oil.Why is olive oil so expensive right now? The European heatwave and drought have limited the ability of Spanish and Italian producers to supply olive oil to international markets, including Australia.
This has been combined with an unusually cold and short growing season for Australian olive oil suppliers.
Lower-than-normal production and supply of olive oil, as well as increased demand from buyers, has meant that prices have soared. How can I stretch my olive oil further? Many families buy olive oil in large quantities because It is cheaper per litre. So, if you still have some in stock, you can make it ahead by storing it correctly – make sure the lid is tightly closed and it's stored in a cool dark place, like a pantry or cabinet.If stored this way, olive oil usually lasts for 12-18 months.
Using a spray – Sprays distribute the oil more evenly than pourers, using less olive oil overall. You can buy a spray bottle to fill from a larger tin as needed
Strain or freeze it – If you have leftover olive oil after frying, strain it and reuse it for other fried dishes. You can store this used oil in an airtight container, then melt it and fry in it later without affecting the taste and other characteristics of the oil. But use only fresh oil for dressing. I have run out of olive oil.What else can I use?
Here are some healthy and inexpensive alternatives to olive oil: Canola oil is a good choice for frying. It's relatively low in saturated fat so I generally consider it healthy. Like olive oil, it is high in healthy monounsaturated fats. Cost? Up to $6 for a 750mL bottle (domestic brands are about half the price)Sunflower oil is a great choice in salads or for frying. It has a mild flavor that does not overpower the other ingredients.Some studies suggest that using sunflower oil may help reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing LD (bad) cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. Cost? Up to $6.50 for a 750mL bottle (again, domestic brands are about half the price)
Sesame oil has a nutty taste. It is good for Asian dressing and frying. Light sesame oil is typically used as a neutral cooking oil, while the toasted kind I use to flavor sauces. Sesame oil is rich in antioxidants and also has anti-inflammatory properties.Sesame oil is generally sold in smaller bottles than canola or sunflower oil. Cost? Up to $5 for a 150mL bottle. How can I use less oil in general?
Using less oil in cooking can keep your food healthy. Here are some substitutes and cooking techniques: Use substitutes for baking - unless you're making an olive oil cake, if your recipe calls for a large amount of oil, use applesauce, Greek Try using alternatives like yogurt or mashed bananas.
Use non-stick cookware – Using high-quality, non-stick pots and pans reduces the need for oil when cooking, or means you don't need oil at all.Steam instead – Steam vegetables, fish and poultry to retain nutrients and moisture without adding oil Bake or roast – Potatoes, vegetables or chicken can be prepared by baking or roasting instead of frying. You can also get the crispy texture without the need for excessive oil
Grill – The natural fats in meat and vegetables can help keep ingredients moist without using oil
Use stock – Instead of sautéing vegetables in oil, try using vegetable broth or stock to enhance the flavor. Use vinegar or citrus – Vinegar or citrus to add flavor to salads, marinades and sauces without relying on oil. Use citrus juice (like lemon or lime).
Use natural moisture – Use the natural moisture in ingredients like tomatoes, onions and mushrooms to cook dishes without adding extra oil. They release moisture as they cook, which helps prevent sticking.(talk) NSANSA
