Olive oil has now become a staple in most people's kitchens, probably because of its great cooking and health benefits. But do you know the difference between all the types of olive oils? All olive oils are pressed from tree-ripened olives, however the difference in types are based upon taste, aroma, and nutrient contents. Here is a simple break down to help you choose your next bottle:

Extra-Virgin: Comes from the first pressing of olives and is the least refined and has the highest level of antioxidants. It is also the highest quality and is the most flavorful.

Virgin: Comes from the second pressing and is slightly more acidic than extra-virgin oil.

Light: A less flavorful, more acidic type of oil. It is lighter in color and fragrance, not lighter in calories. All olive oils have the same amount of fat and calories. Because light olive oil is more refined, there are less antioxidants.

The next time you're at the grocery store, I would recommend extra virgin olive oil to get the best flavor, aroma, and most antioxidants!