The Alternative To Olive Oil
The Guardian reported this month (7th May 2024) that olive oil prices are set to climb further this year backed up by data from the International Olive Council that just under 2.3m tonnes of olives are expected to be produced globally this year, down from the 2.5m produced in 2023 and well below the 3.4m in 2022.
As olive oil prices are set to hit an all time high with some premium brands due to top £16 a litre this summer (2024), what alternatives do UK farmers have to offer to consumers facing these sky high olive oil prices?
Littleseed MD and farmer, Adam Palmer, has high hopes that shoppers will make the switch to cooking with Extra Virgin rapeseed oil which is produced here in the UK.
He says, “There is no better time for consumers to start looking beyond the wall of olive oils they are greeted with in almost every supermarket and try Extra Virgin or Cold Pressed rapeseed oil.”
So what makes cold pressed rapeseed oil an ideal alternative to extra virgin olive oil?
Price
Currently littleseed Extra Virgin rapeseed oil costs £7.50 per litre* in comparison some well-known Extra Virgin olive oil brands currently cost around double that.
*Price ratios correct May 2024
Flavour
Extra virgin olive oil typically has a fruity and sometimes peppery flavour. The flavour varies depending on the variety of olives used to make it and the region it is produced in.
Cold-pressed rapeseed oil has a mild and nutty flavour compared to olive oil.
Its mellow flavour means it is ideal for a wide variety of different cooking and baking applications because it works well as vehicle for the other flavours in a recipe.
Production Process
Extra Virgin and Cold Pressed oils are produced in the same way. The olive fruits or rapeseeds are passed through a mechanical press which quite literally presses the oil out of them. Only the oil from first pressing is bottled and no heat or chemicals are used during the manufacturing process which means all the natural goodness remains.
Smoke point
The smoke or burn point of an oil is the temperature at which it begins to decompose and start to release unpleasant chemicals.
The smoke point of Extra virgin olive oil is around 320°F to 375°F (160°C to 190°C). In comparison, the smoke point of Cold pressed rapeseed oil is much higher at around 400°F to 450°F (200°C to 240°C)
Versatility
Extra virgin olive oil is ideal for using for dressing and drizzling because of its unique and distinct flavour. However, due its relatively low smoke point it is not recommended for cooking with at higher temperatures.
Cold pressed rapeseed oil is ideal for using cold as a dressing as well as baking, roasting and frying. Cold pressed rapeseed oil’s higher smoke point is the key to its versatility because the oil does not start to break down until a much higher temperature than olive oil.
Saturated Fat
Cold pressed rapeseed oil actually contains around half the saturated fat of olive oil. 7% for Cold Pressed rapeseed oil and 15% for Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Vitamins and Minerals
Extra virgin olive oil is known for its high content of monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, which is associated with numerous health benefits such as heart health and anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains antioxidants like vitamin E and phenolic compounds.
Similar to olive oil, cold press rapeseed oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid. Additionally, it contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in a balanced ratio, making it beneficial for heart health. It's also a good source of vitamin E and antioxidants.
Food Miles
Rapeseed is widely grown here in the UK and well suited to the UK climate. Look out for British on the label and you can be sure that your bottle of oil won’t have travelled far to your kitchen. The majority of olive oil is grown and produced in Europe, however due to the poor harvest Olive Oil market leader Filippo Berio have reported they would be bringing in oil from South America for the second year in a row to support production. All olive oil has to be imported to the UK. Therefore it racks up more food miles that British grown rapeseed oil.
