like a virgin

Know what the 3 stages of virginity for olive oil are? All virgin olive oil contains free fatty acids -- it's the amount of acids which determines the degree of virginity...
extra = less than 1%
fine = 1 to 1.5%
ordinary virgin = 1.5 to 3.3% of these acids.
Extra virgin keeps longer than ordinary; and, unlike a fine wine -- olive oil doesn't get better with age -- younger is better.

Simple, olive oil -- how powerful a panacea for many of (wo)man's ailments: if oil is beaten with an egg yolk and applied to your face as a mask...it will nourish the driest complexion.
Oil laced with the essence of rosemary, when applied...will soothe stiff and aching muscles.
Oil and green mint rubbed on to the temples...does wonders for migraines.
Oil, drunk before a night of food and wine overindulgence...will keep your innards in prime working order, and temper the onslaught of a mean hangover.

The best quality olive oils come from the Mediterranean...Italy, followed by Spain and Greece...go for the organic, first-pressed, extra virgin olive oil whenever possible. Not surprisingly, it takes over 10 pounds of olives to produce 1 litre of olive oil.
My personal favorite these days is Bionaturae -- an organic, extra virgin olive oil from the Italian hillsides of Tuscany...light and delicate; perfect for both cooking, and salads. (store in a cool, dry place; not near the stove or oven).../m