Can The Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil Be Used For Chinese Cooking?

Cooking Chinese Food With With Polyphenol-Rich Olive Oil Boosts Flavour And Wellness

^{Updated September 25th 2024}

Benefits of Chinese Cooking with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Ever thought about merging the rich flavours of Chinese cuisine with the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil? If not, it’s time to revolutionize your kitchen. This blog post will show you how to seamlessly incorporate extra virgin olive oil into your Chinese cooking, ensuring you get the best of both worlds—flavour and health.

From classic stir-fries that are fried in extra virgin olive oil, to marinating with extra virgin olive oil for more flavorful meats, there are countless ways extra virgin olive oil can be used for Chinese cooking. It not only adds incredible flavor profiles, but it also offers unique health benefits compared to other cooking oils.

In addition to its mild taste, extra virgin olive oil is packed full of antioxidants which may help reduce your risk of developing certain diseases; it also has anti-inflammatory properties which contributes to a healthier heart and blood pressure. So why not try using extra virgin olive oil in your next Chinese cooking adventure?

Using extra virgin olive oil in Chinese cooking might seem unconventional at first, but the benefits are plentiful. First and foremost, extra virgin olive oil is renowned for its health benefits. It’s packed with monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and improve heart health. By using it in your Chinese recipes, you’re integrating these health benefits into your daily meals.

Another significant advantage of cooking with extra virgin olive oil is its high smoke point. This makes it ideal for various cooking methods, including stir-frying. Unlike other oils that may release harmful compounds when heated to high temperatures, extra virgin olive oil remains stable, ensuring your food is both safe and nutritious.

Lastly, extra virgin olive oil adds a unique flavour to your dishes. Its slightly fruity and peppery notes can elevate simple stir-fries, soups, and dumplings, giving them an unexpected yet delightful twist. This versatility makes it an excellent addition to your pantry, allowing you to experiment with traditional Chinese flavours in new and exciting ways.

Practical Uses Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil In Chinese Cooking

Olive oil has long been a staple in Chinese cooking and for good reason. extra-virgin olive oil is the perfect choice for traditional Chinese recipes, due to its mild flavour and ability to stand up to high temperatures. It’s great for frying, as it has a high smoke point compared to other cooking oils.

Extra virgin olive oil is a great ingredient to add to Chinese cooking. It’s incredibly versatile, and brings flavour to all types of dishes. Many people associate extra virgin olive oil with Mediterranean cuisine, but it can be just as useful in Chinese cooking. By adding a small amount of extra virgin olive oil, you can enhance the flavours in your dishes and create complex textures.

Wondering how to incorporate extra virgin olive oil into your Chinese recipes? Start with the basics. Instead of using vegetable or canola oil for your stir-fries, swap it out for extra virgin olive oil. You’ll notice a richer, more complex flavour that doesn’t overpower the dish.

You can also use extra virgin olive oil in your marinades. Whether you’re preparing chicken, beef, or tofu, a marinade made with extra virgin olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger will add depth to your ingredients. The oil helps to tenderize the meat, while the Chinese spices infuse it with rich flavours.

Another practical use is in making dressings for cold dishes and salads. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over your favourite Chinese salad or cold noodles for a smooth, silky finish. Combining it with ingredients like sesame oil, rice vinegar, and a touch of honey can create a dressing that’s both healthy and delicious.

Chinese New Year Cooking With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Chinese celebrations are often time to reflect on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and adding extra virign olive oil to your Chinese cooking is a great way to boost your health for the year ahead.

Many of the celebrations to welcome the new lunar year on February 1^st revolve around a Chinese feast and using a quality extra virgin olive oil is a great way to support your health and happiness.

According to Forbes, Chinese New Year is a great time to shake up your wellness routine so why not start with adding a polyphenol-packed health boost to your wok or deep fryer.

Frying With Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Don’t Be Afraid!

The idea of frying with extra virgin olive oil might seem daunting, but there’s no need to worry. Extra virgin olive oil has a high smoke point, making it suitable for frying. In fact, it can withstand temperatures up to 410°F (210°C), which is more than enough for most frying techniques.

When frying with extra virgin olive oil, start by heating it slowly to ensure even cooking. For dishes like sweet and sour pork or crispy tofu, the oil will provide a crisp, golden exterior without making the food greasy. Its stability at high temperatures means you’re less likely to end up with burnt or bitter-tasting food.

Another tip for frying with extra virgin olive oil is to use it in moderation. A little goes a long way, and you’ll find that you can achieve great results without needing to use a large quantity. This not only enhances the flavour of your food but also makes your meals healthier overall.

With much Chinese cooking involving fried foods cooked at high temperatures, some may consider the smoke point of extra virgin olive oil when choosing a cooking fat for their Asian feast. But fear not! The Morocco Gold team are on hand to reassure you that extra virgin olive oil can be used for Chinese cooking.

Contrary to some beliefs, however, high quality extra virgin olive oil such as Morocco Gold is a great choice for many cooking methods as its smoke point is somewhere around 374 – 405 °F (190–207°C).  As explained by the Olive Wellness Institute, Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains high levels of natural antioxidants.  These antioxidants protect the naturally stable oil when heated, making Extra Virgin Olive Oil a very healthy option to cook with (including deep frying, pan frying, sauteing and oven baking).

Over recent years, China has joined much of the rest of the world in appreciating the health benefits of olive oil and, according to a report in The Olive Oil Times, it was initially adopted for use in cold dishes.   In an interview with Xinhua News, Tian Qiuming, the executive chef of the Great Wall Hotel in Beijing, backed the use of olive oil for cooking Chinese food.

“Apart from use in cold dishes, olive oil is especially suitable for stewing, braising, and earthen pot cooking,” Tian said. “The ingredients don’t absorb large amounts of olive oil as they do with other types, which will help reduce calories.”

Tian added that the higher temperatures cause the formation of a protective layer around the ingredients.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Reduces Risk Factors Of Fried Foods

Deep fried foods form a core part of many international cuisines, including Chinese cooking.  However, they are also known to increase risk factors associated with heart disease and other common health complaints.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to consider your choice of fat for frying foods carefully.  One important factor to consider when making the switch to olive oil is to find a cold pressed oil, such as Morocco Gold. This will ensure you are picking the highest grade of olive oil as both virgin and extra virgin olive oils are always cold pressed.

Healthline gives you a breakdown of the 13 main benefits of using cold pressed olive oil for frying food but the key thing to remember is that cold pressing helps olives hold on to their nutritional value and antioxidants  which are more likely to break down under heat.

Keen To Fry With Olive Oil? What are You waiting for!

If you are keen to do a lot more cooking at home, then there’s an essential ingredient that you simply have to make sure that you always have in the cupboard… and that’s extra virgin olive oil.As cooking oils go, this is definitely up there with the best and you’ll notice its taste in food immediately, whether you choose to heat it up for frying or sauteing, if you prefer to drizzle it over your favourite Mediterranean salad, use it instead of butter, feature it in a marinade… you’ve got a lot of options ahead of you to explore!

It’s so versatile that you can use it in both savoury and sweet dishes, so why don’t you try baking with it, as well as cooking? It’s actually a healthier option than butter so if that’s a concern for you this January, try it instead in your homemade cakes and biscuits, and see what you think.

When heating it in a pan on the hob, however, do be mindful of the smoke point. This is the temperature at which oil will start to burn and smoke. If you served something that had been cooked in oil to this point, you’d likely be able to taste a burnt flavour. Extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point than other oils, so take care in the kitchen.

One of the very best ways to enjoy this particular type of oil is to drizzle it over salads so you can really taste its delicious flavour. And always have some oil and balsamic vinegar on your dinner table so you can dip bread in it whenever the feeling takes you!

If you want any more tips for cooking amazing dishes, including Chinese food, with olive oil check out our recipe section now!

Happy frying.