Extra virgin olive oil is one of the best oils to cook with! Extra virgin olive oil is perfect for not just cooking, it is great for; frying, sautéing, poaching, dressing and baking. Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a high smoke point that can hold up to high cooking temperatures. [400 degrees F] “EVOOs should not be used for cooking because they have a low smoke point.”   A fresh quality EVOO contains some of natures most powerful anti oxidants. These anti-oxidants sacrifice themselves to allow the smoke point to go up substantially.  Typical grocery store oils, especially those that have been refined or deodorized have few anti oxidants in them. As such they will often begin to smoke at about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.     Trained chefs know that cooking with a fine extra virgin olive oil does burn off some of the healthy anti-oxidants. As such, chefs typically use a well crafted extra virgin olive oil for low to no heat scenarios such as finishing, bread dipping or salads.