Not all olive oils are the same. You may have seen olive pomace oil at the store and wondered how it’s different from regular olive oil. It comes from the parts of the olive left behind after the first press, but getting the oil out isn’t as simple as squeezing the fruit.
Some people like olive pomace oil because it works well for high-heat cooking, but there are things to consider before using it. If you care about cooking with the healthiest oils, you’ll want to know how it’s made and whether there’s a better option.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at olive pomace oil.
What is Olive Pomace Oil?
Olive pomace oil comes from the bits of olives left over after making extra virgin and virgin olive oils. These leftovers — like the skins, pits, and pulp — still have about 5-8% of oil inside. Since this oil can’t be squeezed out easily, factories use heat and chemical solvents to extract it. After that, the oil is cleaned and mixed with a little virgin olive oil to improve its taste ❶.
This type of olive oil is lighter in color and has a milder flavor. It also has a higher smoke point, which means it can handle high-heat cooking like frying. However, because it goes through so much processing, it loses many of the healthy nutrients found in extra virgin olive oil.
Olive pomace oil is a lower-quality olive oil, but it’s still used in many kitchens because it’s affordable and works well for cooking. Some people avoid it, though, because of the way it’s made.
What’s the Difference between Regular Olive Oil and Olive Pomace Oil?
The biggest difference between olive oil and olive pomace oil is how they are made.
Regular olive oil (like extra virgin and virgin olive oils) comes from pressing olives without using heat or chemicals. This helps keep its natural nutrients, like antioxidants and polyphenols. Polyphenols are believed to help reduce the risk of diseases like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer ❷. Regular olive oil also has a strong, rich flavor.
Olive pomace oil is made from the leftover parts of the olive, like the skins, pits, and pulp. Since only a small amount of oil is left in these pieces, factories use heat and chemical solvents to pull the oil out.
Because of this, olive pomace oil has a lighter taste and a higher smoke point, which means it can handle high heat better. However, healthy compounds are mostly lost when making olive pomace oil.
Is Olive Pomace Oil Healthy?
Olive pomace oil has some health benefits, but it is not as healthy as extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil keeps more of its natural nutrients because it is made without heat or chemicals.
In contrast, olive pomace oil goes through a refining process that removes many of the healthy antioxidants and polyphenols. These nutrients help support heart health and reduce inflammation, but much of them are lost during processing ❸.
Another concern with refining is that it can create harmful substances if not done properly. Some researchers have studied ways to make olive pomace oil safer by reducing certain pollutants, called PAHs, which can form when the oil is heated too much.
One study found that using a special refining method at the right temperature and pressure helped remove these harmful chemicals, making the oil safer to use ❹.
Scientists continue to find ways to improve the quality of refined oils, but if you want the most natural and nutritious option, extra virgin olive oil is the better choice.
A Healthier Alternative to Olive Pomace Oil
A healthier choice than olive pomace oil is algae oil. In fact, algae oil isn’t just better than pomace oil — it even has more health benefits than regular olive oil!
Algae oil has 25% more heart-healthy Omega-9 fats and 75% less saturated fat than olive oil, which makes it a great option for heart health.
Many olive oils sold in stores can be mixed with cheaper seed oils, but algae oil is completely seed oil-free. This means it is pure and high quality.
Algae oil also has the highest smoke point of any cooking oil — up to 535°F. This means it stays stable at high temperatures and helps prevent the release of harmful substances when cooking.
Because it is both healthy and stable for cooking, algae oil is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a cleaner and better oil.
Related: 6 Health Benefits of Algae Oil
The Bottom Line
Olive pomace oil is different from regular olive oil due to its production process. It comes from the leftover parts of olives and is extracted with heat and chemicals.
If you want the healthiest cooking oil, extra virgin olive oil is a better choice. But an even better option is algae oil. It has more heart-healthy fats, less saturated fat, and the highest smoke point of any cooking oil. Plus, it’s completely seed oil-free.
Try Algae Cooking Club’s algae oil today and taste the difference!
