What is the Difference Between Avocado Oil and Olive Oil

The main difference between avocado oil and olive oil is that avocado oil has a high smoke point, while olive oil has a lower smoke point.

Avocado oil and olive oil are two popular cooking oils that people around the world widely use in kitchens. While both oils are good sources of healthy fats, they have some key differences in terms of taste, nutritional profile, and cooking properties.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Avocado Oil
     – Definition, Features 
2. What is Olive Oil
     – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Avocado Oil and Olive Oil
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Avocado Oil and Olive Oil
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Avocado Oil, Olive Oil

What is Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is made by taking the fat from inside the avocado fruit and turning it into oil that can be used for cooking. Unlike other plant oils, which come from seeds, avocado oil comes from the fruit. Moreover, there are two types of avocado oil: virgin and refined. Virgin avocado oil is made by pressing the fruit and separating the oil from the rest of the fruit. It has a nutty flavor and bright green color. The first pressing of the fruit is called “extra-virgin,” like olive oil. Whereas, refined avocado oil is a type of avocado oil that undergoes a process where impurities and small particles of pulp are removed through filtering. This process also takes away much of the oil’s flavor, aroma, and green color. The end result is a light yellow oil with just a little hint of green.

Extra-virgin avocado oil has a smoke point of around 480 F, while refined avocado oil can withstand higher temperatures, up to 520 F, making it suitable for high-heat cooking methods like frying. However, virgin avocado oil loses its flavor when you heat it, so it’s better to use it in salad dressings and drizzled over vegetables. Avocado oil can also be used in dips, marinades, and baking.

Extra-virgin avocado oil has a strong flavor and aroma of avocados, which is often described as rich, nutty, and mushroomy. The flavor of virgin avocado oil is less mushroomy, while refined avocado oil is very mild and subtle, with almost no mushroomy flavor.

What is Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the most commonly used oils in both household cooking as well as the food industry at large. It has numerous health benefits and comes in various grades. However, the flavour of the oil depends on the grade and its processing method.

There are various types of olive oil, such as virgin olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, light olive oil, and fino olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is a result of the first press. It has a very distinct flavour. In fact, unrefined, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil is the most flavorful, with a distinctive olive flavour and aroma. Extra virgin olive oil can serve as a tasty dip for crusty bread, a drizzle over pizza or pasta, a topping for roasted vegetables, or a swirl over hummus.

Refined olive oil, which has no labels like virgin or extra-virgin, is subject to bleaching, filtering or high temperatures in order to extract extra compounds that create an oil with a more neutral-flavoured oil. Olive oil is high in monosaturated fat. It is also a good source of vitamin E.

Similarities Between Avocado Oil and Olive Oil

• Avocado oil and olive oil are good for health.
• Both oils contain equal amounts of saturated fat.

Difference Between Avocado Oil and Olive Oil

Definition

Avocado oil is a cooking oil made from the flesh of ripe avocados, while olive oil is a cooking oil made from the fruit of olive trees.

Smoke Point

Avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it suitable for high-heat cooking methods like frying and roasting, while olive oil has a lower smoke point than avocado oil, making it better suited for low-heat cooking methods like sautéing and drizzling over salads.

Taste

Avocado oil has a more neutral taste than olive oil.

Vitamin E

Olive oil has a higher vitamin E content than avocado oil.

Conclusion

The main difference between avocado oil and olive oil is that avocado oil has a high smoke point, while olive oil has a lower smoke point. Therefore, most people use avocado oil for high-heat cooking methods like frying and roasting and olive oil for low-heat cooking methods like sautéing and drizzling over salads.

Reference:

1. “What is Avocado Oil” The Spruce Eats.
2. “Types of Olive Oil.” The Spruce Eats.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Bottle of avocado essential oil with fresh half avocado, close up” By Marco Verch Professional Photographer (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Olive oil” By Oregon State University (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr