Ghee vs. Olive Oil – What’s The Difference?

There is a variety of butter and oil that can be used for cooking, and each has its own unique properties and benefits. When it comes to cooking oil, olive oil has been the most popular, while ghee has been widely used for cooking in Asian countries.

When it comes to marinating and cooking, nothing can beat the flavors of ghee or cooking oil. It is really simple yet effective, and it adds to the flavor of your dish. The flavor of ghee and olive oil totally satisfies your taste buds.

But the question arises of the difference between ghee and cooking oil. First of all, both of them have different cooking uses as ghee is butter but with a nutty flavor while olive oil comes from whole olives having a bitter taste and varying in intensity.

So mainly, the difference between ghee and olive oil includes: Ghee is basically fat and is used in small amounts to give the dish a distinct flavor, while olive oil is widely used in dressing, sauces and pan-frying. Ghee is widely used in Asian cooking to make soups and stews, while on the other hand, olive oil is used in deep frying, which makes the food crispy.

Ghee is also used on naan and roti in India; however, olive oil can be used for salad dressing, making pasta, etc.  Ghee is high in saturated fats, and a tablespoon of ghee approximately consists of 15g of fat; however, olive oil comparatively has a much smaller amount of fats. Ghee has a shelf life of almost 3 months if stored in a cool and dry place; on the other hand, an olive oil unopened bottle will last about 12 months.

Below, we have mentioned the major difference between ghee and olive oil and their health benefits and nutritional facts. So, keep on reading the article to understand both better.

What is Ghee?

Ghee is known to have originated from India and is widely used here in Asian dishes. On the other hand, olive oil is mostly used around the globe. Ghee is basically butter made by separating milk from its solid and water.

This is the reason ghee mostly consists of fat. It is typically made by using cow’s milk to make butter. However, it can also be made by using buffalo’s milk, and further spices can be added to give it a unique flavor.

Nutritional Facts

The one serving size, which is one teaspoon of Ghee, contains:

• Total Calories: 42.
• Protein: 0 grams.
• Fat: 5 grams.
• Carbohydrates: 0 grams.
• Fiber: 0 grams.
• Sugar: 0 grams.

Health Benefits

Ghee helps you keep warm from within; this is the reason it is a vital part of Indian dishes, especially during winters. It also helps open up your clogged nose and reduces headaches due to it. Ghee is also a very good source of energy and is widely used in India by nursing mothers.

It is also a very good source of fat, and so it helps you to initiate fat metabolism. Fat metabolism makes your body to use fat as a source of fuel. Ghee is also known to be good for the heart as it is comparatively better than using refined oil.

As we have learned about ghee, now let us move on towards olive oil.

What is Olive Oil?

Extracted from the whole olive, olive oil is known to be an essential item in your kitchen. Olive oil is known to be ranging from refined to extra virgin, and this leads it to be irreplaceable by many cooks. Whole olives are pressed to produce olive oil, and this leads them to have a distinct flavor.

Olive oil is distinguishable in any dish due to its unique flavor, giving the dish its final touches. People also widely use it in preserving olives and later using them on dishes like pizza.

Nutritional Facts

One tablespoon of olive oil contains the following nutritional properties:

• Total Calories: 119.
• Protein: 0 grams
• Fat: 13.5 grams.
• Saturated fat: 1.9 grams.
• Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA): 9.9 grams.
• Polyunsaturated fat: 1.4 grams.
• Carbohydrate: 0 grams.
• Fiber: 0 grams.

Health Benefits

Olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties meaning it works as a pain killer and fever reducer. Olive oil is also rich in vitamin E leading to healthier hair and skin. Olive oil is known to be a wiser approach for a diabetic patient as it is low in saturated fats.

Studies also show that olive oil is known to lower total blood cholesterol levels leading to reduced heart attack risks. Olive oil is also improving your digestion and leads to improve bowel movements. Olive oil also contains antioxidant properties.

So, What’s The Difference Between Ghee and Olive Oil?

Summering the above-mentioned article into key points:

1. Ghee is basically fat and is used in small amounts to give the dish a distinct flavor, while olive oil is widely used in dressing, sauces and pan-frying.
2. Ghee is widely used in Asian cooking to make soups and stews, while on the other hand, olive oil is used in deep frying, which makes the food crispy.
3. Ghee is also used on naan and roti in India; however, olive oil can be used for salad dressing, making pasta, etc.
4. Ghee is high in saturated fats, and a tablespoon of ghee approximately consists of 15g of fat; however, olive oil comparatively has a much smaller amount of fats.
5. Ghee has a shelf life of almost 3 months if stored in a cool and dry place; on the other hand, an olive oil unopened bottle will last about 12 months.
6. Olive oil is considered a vegan product, while fat is not considered a vegan product.
7. Ghee is known to have high smoke points and can survive high cooking temperatures; however, olive oil has a lower smoke point.
8. Ghee contains vitamins such as A, E and K, which leads to healthier hair, skin and bones.
9. Olive oil has vitamins such as E and K, which are anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Sources:

• Foodsguy
• Wellversed
• Anandaus