The Savvy Gourmet

Does freezing olive oil degrade its quality?

Below 6°C, there is a slow increase in hardening of olive oil as the temperature is lowered. At 2°C, olive oil has more or less the consistency of butter at room temperature. At -10°C, it is hard enough that a fork cannot penetrate it.

Chilling or freezing olive oil does no harm and the oil will return to its normal consistency when warmed.

On the other hand, the oxidation process (which is responsible for the degradation of flavour) increases with temperature. Keeping oil at low temperature is a good practice.

In fact, it’s so good that a patent has been issued for a method of freezing olive oil so that it retains its original properties. Why not serve your best olive oil frozen, like butter? That’s what Costas the Greek suggests in his blog!

Sources:

Cloudy Frozen Olive Oil by John Deane.

Preserved Olive Paste, WIPO (WO/2008/122320).

Frozen Olive Oil and Six-toed Cats, Costas the Greek blog.

Sesame Crackers from Vilmas Knäckebröd

Vilmas went a bit over the top on the seeds (they're in the dough and completely cover the surface of the cracker).

These sesame crackers are probably the most versatile knäckebröd – perfect with everything from mild cheeses to mezze (baba ghannouj, hummus, etc).

Wild Rice is not Rice!

Wild rice is any of the four species of plants that make up the genus Zizania, whereas rice is a monocot plant of the Oryza sativa genus. Thus, wild rice is not a rice species.

Wild rice is an aquatic cereal grain that grows "wild" in isolated lake and river bed areas located primarily within the Great Lakes region of North America. It is also native to ecologically similar regions located on the continent of Asia.

This ancient grain has been found in layers of the earth dating back some 12,000 years. In addition to its role as an important food staple for ancestral peoples, it has provided a unique habitat for fish and waterfowl for thousands of years.

Wild rice is high in protein, the amino acid lysine and dietary fiber, and low in fat. Like true rice, it does not contain gluten.

Sources:

Wild Rice History, International Wild Rice Association (IWRA).

Wild Rice, Wikipedia.

Try the Gourmet Sauvage Wild Rice.

Producers in the Spotlight - Vilmas Knäckebröd

Vilmas Knäckebröd was founded in 2001 in Stockholm. For several years Vilmas sold handmade breads to a handful of selected stores and restaurants in Stockholm.

Today Vilmas knäckebröd is sold as far away as Harrod’s in London and Globus in Switzerland.

Follow the European gourmets and taste these delicious knäckebröds.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, in-creased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care and bone strength.

Impressive, isn’t it?

To learn more, read the full paper published in Organic Facts.

Try the Coconut Oil from Northern Nutraceuticals, Saskatchewan.