If you’ve never heard of olive pomace oil, you’re not alone! This oil isn’t as popular as olive oil, but it still has its potential uses and benefits. How do you store olive pomace oil, though – the same as regular olive oil?!
Even though it’s different from regular olive oil, the storage of olive pomace oil is the same. Store olive pomace oil in a dark opaque container away from direct heat and light sources, and aim to keep it at room temperature. Refrigeration isn’t necessary!
If you want to learn more about olive pomace oil and the proper storage of it, you’ve come to the right place!
What is olive pomace oil?
Olive pomace oil is a type of cooking oil made from the leftover pulps and pits of olive oil after the first pressing (the process that removes the oil from the olives). The pits and pulp (called pomace) still contain some oil after the first pressing, so olive pomace oil is the oil extracted from the pomace!
Olive pomace oil has a higher smoke point than regular olive oil (460 degrees Fahrenheit vs. 410 degrees Fahrenheit), which is one of the potential benefits of using it over regular olive oil.
Heat is usually required to extract the oil from olive pomace since the majority of the oil is removed after the first pressing. Heat extraction isn’t as preferred as cold pressing, which helps the fats from being degraded and can help preserve nutrients.
It’s important to note that olive pomace oil isn’t as ideal as olive oil for cooking. Some countries have banned the use of certain types of olive pomace oil due to concerns over things like the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS), which are thought to potentially be carcinogenic (cause cancer).
What is the best way to store olive pomace oil?
The best way to store olive pomace oil is:
- In a tightly sealed opaque container, preferably made of glass or stainless steel.
- In a cool, dark place away from direct sources of heat and sunlight.
- At a consistent temperature range, ideally within 40-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Does olive pomace oil need to be refrigerated?
Olive pomace oil can last 18-24 months when it’s sealed, but the shelf life decreases to 6-12 months once it’s opened. The shelf life is the same whether it’s in the pantry or the fridge (that can happen when it’s refined since refining extends the shelf life), so olive pomace oil doesn’t need to be refrigerated!
Factors that influence olive pomace oil storage
Container
Nut, seed, and other plant-based oils like olive pomace oil are prone to going rancid over time, even when they’re stored properly. To help slow the natural process of fat oxidation (the chemical process that leads to fats going “bad”), store olive pomace oil in an opaque glass or stainless steel container. These containers should be tightly sealed to prevent any oxygen from entering, which will hasten the process of the oil going bad.
Temperature
Oils like olive pomace oil should be stored at room temperature, which shouldn’t exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposure to direct heat (such as being stored next to a stovetop or an oven) can cause the fats to break down more quickly than if the oil is stored at a consistent room temperature.
How to spot spoiled olive pomace oil
Like all fats and oils, olive pomace oil is prone to going rancid over time. You can help prevent premature oxidation (the chemical process that causes fats to go bad) by practicing proper storage guidelines. However, if you have a hunch that your pomace oil has gone bad, you should toss it.
Some of the signs of spoiled olive pomace oil are:
- Having a foul odor: Olive pomace oil should have a pleasant, mild odor similar to regular olive oil. If it smells musty, chemical-like, or just plain “off”, it might be rancid.
- If it tastes bad, throw it out. It’s not worth spoiling the flavor of your dish by using old olive pomace oil!
- The color of olive pomace oil is similar to regular olive oil (a translucent gold/light green color). If the color of the oil has significantly darkened over time, that’s one of the signs that it might be time to replace it.
FAQs:
Olive pomace oil is considered inferior to regular olive oil health-wise. While the nutrition stats are identical to regular olive oil, olive pomace oil is more processed than regular olive oil since it’s extracted with heat, not cold pressing (the ideal method).
In addition, olive pomace oil is linked with higher levels of compounds that might cause cancer due to the way it’s processed.
Olive pomace oil has a higher smoke point than regular olive oil, which is a benefit for high-heat cooking.
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