What's Sansa Oil?
In the agro-food field there are a multitude of oils, including extra virgin olive oil and also pomace oil. The general and main distinction is based on certain chemical parameters such as the acidity of olive oil: if it has an acidity of less than 0.8% it is considered as extra virgin olive oil; if it reaches 2% it is considered as olive oil.But among the shelves of our supermarkets we also find another type of oil: olive pomace oil. This product is nothing but the proceeds of the residues such as fragments of stones, peels and pulp. It would therefore seem to be a waste product and yet pomace oil is very important in the agri-food sector because it contains between 2% and 6% of the weight of the oil.
This oil is extracted in specific mills or oil mills, such as that of Alessandro Lovascio and his brothers, through a particular pressing and centrifugation process, combined with some chemical solvents such as hexane. The oil, in its raw state, is not absolutely edible and needs further refining and mixed with extra virgin olive oil.
So ultimately pomace oil is to be considered as a by-product of olive oil, edible and very rich in monounsaturated fats useful to the human body. Its chemical composition is similar to that of oil, but it has a greater amount of linoleic acid.
Today, pomace oil is growing strongly, favored by the clearly lower price compared to other quality oils and its properties that should not be underestimated. In fact, although it is not a suitable oil for seasoning, pomace oil is excellent in the kitchen, for frying and baking, or in the cosmetics industry for moisturizers.
What are the uses of Sansa oil?
In the kitchen, pomace oil is widely consumed, thanks to its delicate taste, in the preparation of numerous baked goods. In fact, this oil is perfect for preparing delicious focaccias, taralli, bread, biscuits to which it gives that unique crunchiness.
Furthermore, thanks to its high smoke point, which allows this oil an excellent resistance to high temperatures, it is the ideal choice for light, healthy and crispy frying.
The suspicion, however, that pomace oil may hurt is due exclusively to its extraction and refining process. This fear is obviously completely unfounded, since all extraction processes must be strictly controlled. Pomace oil is very attentive to the EU which is investing in research to enhance the use of food by-products.