People are only just realising what the little plastic tab on olive oil bottles is for – and it’s been labelled a “game changer” in the kitchen.
The olive oil bottle can often cause a fuss for home cooks, with many often finding themselves pouring too much oil into their pan while cooking dinner.
Moreover, there’s nothing more frustrating than wasting precious cooking oil and having your food swimming in it. However, this issue can be sidestepped simply by utilising the lid.
The common misconception is that the tab with the ring is merely an indicator of whether the bottle has been opened or not, leading to its prompt disposal post-opening, reports the Daily Star.
Yet, this component serves a greater purpose, suggesting it might be worth holding onto.
In a TikTok video initially shared by @foodies and subsequently reposted on Twitter, the user demonstrates the hack by removing the lid and the green tab.
Rather than discarding it, they invert the tab and reinsert it into the neck of the plastic oil bottle, creating small openings around the edge.
As a result, when they pour the oil into the pan, it flows out slowly, allowing for precise measurement control.
“Game changer,” exclaimed the ‘Today Years Old’ Twitter account as they captioned the clip.
The oil pouring trick has garnered praise from numerous viewers, with one commenter exclaiming: “That’s handy! They could have told us!”
Another user was astounded, commenting: “Wow. Never knew.”
A third exclaimed in disbelief: “Are you kidding me!?!”
One chimed in with a practical take: “Manufacturers should be telling consumers how to use their products in the first place.”
And another confessed their surprise: “I never would have thought of this.”
A particularly impressed user observed: “Sometimes I believe great engineering just goes unnoticed. Half our problems are already solved, we just don’t know that they have been solved.”
Wondering about the ideal quantity of olive oil for your dishes?
Now that you’ve mastered the art of dispensing the perfect amount of olive oil, it’s crucial to understand the optimal quantity for cooking.
Food Network advises using just enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of your pan, typically one to two tablespoons, rather than an excessive pour.
The NHS underscores the importance of including a modest amount of fat in a balanced diet, highlighting the healthful monounsaturated fats present in olive oil and its ilk.
However, moderation is key in all dietary choices. Considering that a single tablespoon of olive oil packs 119 calories, and daily calorie recommendations range from 2,000 to 2,500, it’s wise not to drench your meals in it.
