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When visiting my beloved Greece or any other Mediterranean country, I am pretty sure you have tasted olive oil bread dip at least once. It is so common to soak bread in pure olive oil there and people of these countries are accustomed to eating such a snack both before and during the meal.
At first glance, combining bread and olive oil may seem very simple, but to get a healthy and balanced combination, you need to be familiar with which products to use in order to get the most out of it.
So in this article, I will explain briefly why olive oil bread dip is good for you, what is the best olive oil and bread for dipping, what other items you can serve with olive oil bread dip, and much more.
Is Dipping Bread in Olive Oil Healthy?
Olive oil bread dip is a popular Mediterranean appetizer that is packed with vitamins and minerals. Many studies have linked quality olive oil and its ingredients to a variety of impressive health benefits, including helping fight inflammation, improving blood pressure control, better digestive health, lower heart disease risk, and weight loss.
Furthermore, quality olive oil is a pure product and is naturally free of common food allergens and irritants, such as gluten, nuts, and dairy, and can be adored by most people.
Also, see in my extensive article about Olive Oil Health Benefits.
In terms of bread consumption, bread has been a staple food for thousands of years and is widely used on daily basis.
Certain types of bread are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, others are made from refined grains and suggest little in terms of nutrition. Bread varieties made from 100% whole-grain, whole-wheat or sprouted-grain flours are the most nutritious. Though white bread, sandwich bread, or bagels offer low nutritional value.
My tip is – always check ingredients, if the bread has a lot of preservatives and texture modifiers that are only there for the product’s shelf life and not adding nutrition, use it in moderation.
Which Olive Oil is Best for Bread Dipping?
When you are choosing olive oil for bread dipping, always choose the extra virgin olive oil which is considered the healthiest fat on earth. Extra virgin olive oil is unprocessed oil and extracted using natural methods. This is how it retains most of the nutrients and sensory qualities like taste and smell.
If olive oil is truly an extra virgin, it provides a distinct taste and is rich in polyphenols (antioxidants) that make it so healthy. Also, it is full of monosaturated fats that are good hearty fats, contain vitamins and antioxidants.
For example, one of the best olive cultivar brands known widely around the globe is Kalamata extra virgin olive oil produced in Greece. Our Oliviada Kalamata extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality olive oil made from 100% pure olive juice and has a distinct rich taste. If you are interested to dip your bread in it, check out our shop:
What Breads are Good for Olive Oil Dipping?
There are many different types of bread and all of them are good for olive oil bread dip, but some types of bread are more nutritious than others.
So if you are looking for the most beneficial option, choose bread varieties made from 100% whole-grain, whole-wheat or sprouted-grain flours.
Then, if made in the traditional way the sourdough has a perfect crust and chew of sourdough, provides nutrition plus the benefits of fermentation.
White baguette has similar nutrition to white bread but has more simple ingredients and shorter shelf life because of fewer preservatives.
The Ciabatta bread is very tasty and has good absorbent properties with fluffy holes but is higher in carbs, calories, and sodium per slice compared to other breads.
White Italian bread is not much different nutritionally from white sandwich bread, but it is softer inside with a light crust on the outside. This bread is lower in fiber, iron, and protein.
If you like pita bread, then choose whole-grain pita since white pita is a lot like plain white sandwich bread nutritionally.
What Can You Dip in Olive Oil Besides Bread?
Besides dipping bread in olive oil, you shall also try the following items:
- Crackers
- Tortilla Chips
- Bagel Crisps
- Bread Sticks
- Pretzels
You can also try to use different vegetables for olive oil dipping, but the flavor won’t be the same as using products made from pastry.
What to Serve With Olive Oil Bread Dip?
When you serve olive oil bread dip as one of the appetizers, you can mix and match with other delicious snacks and make a colorful and tasteful plater. So these are my favorite options to add more flavor while serving food:
- Kalamata olives
- Sun dried tomatoes
- Grilled cheese
- Marinated mozzarella with chopped basil leaves
- Crackers and breadsticks
- Tortilla chips
- Vegetables: sliced carrots, celery, cucumber
- Hummus
- Prosciutto or smoked ham
There are not as strict rules here on what to serve with olive oil bread dip, you will find your favorite combinations through tasting and experimentation.
Just use your imagination and you can easily pair up many favorite foods with olive oil and bread that makes you feel cheery completely.
Bottom Line
Considering the above positive effects, dipping bread in olive oil is a healthy eating habit. And since it is incredibly easy to make and takes few minutes, you should add this appetizer before every dinner with your family members or friends.
Another way to use olive oil and bread is to add balsamic vinegar and here is my recent article about olive oil and balsamic vinegar bread dipping. Or you can always create your own herbal dip – see some inspirations in my post about olive oil herb dip.
Also, instead of pure extra virgin olive oil, you can use infused olive oil with herbs which is a simple to make, healthy and delicious addition to your daily meal. For more information, check out my article about how to infuse olive oil at home.
Sources
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Learn More
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil vs Olive Oil
- Olive Oil Fats – What Type of Fats Olive Oil Has?
- How to Make Olive Oil At Home? DIY
- Best Olive Oil Dispenser – My Top 6
Hi, I’m Vangelis Kleftogiannis, the founder of Oliviada and an established olive oil expert from Kalamata, Greece. My expertise isn’t just in producing quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil, but also in the cultivation and care of olive trees themselves. I am deeply committed to sharing my knowledge and know-how, helping others understand the intricacies of olive tree growing and the creation of quality olive oil.
