[rhood]

Those of you who use olive oil, what is the difference between extra virgin and pure olive oil and what are the uses of each. Seems like I've heard that extra virgin is for dressings and pure is for cooking. Can someone help me understand the difference?

[asianthree]

i only use extra for everything

[Arubagirl2000]

Since Rachael only uses EVOO, my hubby will not use anything else.

[mulligan]

It's from the first squeeze of the olives, more fruity and acidic

[cathyw]

I took a cooking class at Red Sauce about a month ago. The chef said "Basically, if you are going to taste the oil, use extra virgin. If not, use a lesser grade of oil."
So, for dips, salad dressing, shrimp scampi....extra virgin olive oil.
When cooked into a dish.....any other oil is fine.
Here's a link explaining the different types of oil.

Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Better Than Olive Oil? | LIVESTRONG.COM

[asianthree]

but when i cook you do taste the olive oil so only buying one bottle

[gomoho]

Not only do you want Virgin, but first cold pressed. A really good quality first cold pressed virgin would be prohibitively expensive for most people to use for cooking, but the stores sell good ones at a reasonable price so I have found it easier to just by one as well. Did buy an extra virgin with garlic recently that I save for special dishes that aren't being cooked.

[villager]

I only use EVOO. I also make my own garlic olive oil. Put fresh, lightly smashed garlic in the olive oil. You MUST refrigerate this so the garlic doesn't spoil and make the oil rancid!!! You can put the olive oil bottle out to come to room temperature or just run some hot water over the bottle in make it liquid again. I have done this for years. I have also made hot oil using the small red peppers you see in Chinese food, but I like the garlic oil better. Good for hot and cold uses.