FOOD NEWS
The One Spot In The Kitchen You Should Never Store Olive Oil
By Andra Picincu
Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and is able to add flavor to salads, soups, marinades, and more, but it’s only a perfect pantry staple if it’s preserved properly. Since levels of oxygen, heat, and light can affect its antioxidant levels and cause deterioration, it’s best to never place your olive oil near the stove.
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds in olive oil that can lower risks of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic ailments, but their benefits can be reduced if olive oil is placed next to a heat source. Light and heat can also affect levels of volatile compounds in olive oil, as well as its flavor, color, and aroma.
Store your olive oil in a cool, dark place away from heat or light sources, and for lasting freshness, keep it in a metal container or dark glass bottle at a temperature below 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If your olive oil has a bitter taste, an odd smell similar to glue or old paint, or if it’s tasteless or overly greasy, it has likely gone bad.