People are only just realising the real reason for the tab on an olive oil bottle

People are only just discovering what the small plastic tab on olive oil bottles is for, with many labelling it a "game changer" in the kitchen. Dealing with an olive oil bottle can often prove troublesome for home cooks, as many find themselves pouring excessive amounts of oil into their pan while preparing dinner.

It is certainly frustrating to waste precious cooking oil and end up with your food swimming in it. Yet, there's a simple way to avoid this problem - and it is down to using the tab on the lid.

One common misconception is that the little ringed tab is merely an indicator that the bottle has not previously been opened or tampered with, according to the Daily Star.

However, this small tab has a much greater purpose, which means it might be worth keeping hold of it. A video shared initially on TikTok by user @foodies and later reposted on Twitter demonstrates how to use this hack.

The user removes the bottle cap along with the green tab, but instead of discarding it, they flip the tab and reinsert it into the neck of the plastic oil bottle, creating minor openings around the edge.

With this simple alteration, when the oil is poured into the pan, it flows out at a significantly slower pace, enabling precise control over the quantity used. "Game changer," declared the 'Today Years Old' Twitter account while sharing the clip.

The oil pouring hack has been met with enthusiasm from many viewers, with one saying: "That's handy! They could have told us! ". Another expressed their astonishment: "Wow. Never knew." A third shared their shock: "Are you kidding me! ? ! ".

One person added a practical note: "Manufacturers should be telling consumers how to use their products in the first place." While another admitted their amazement: "I never would have thought of this."

An admirer of the trick noted: "Sometimes I believe great engineering just goes unnoticed. Half our problems are already solved, we just don't know that they have been solved."

Curious about the right amount of olive oil for your cooking?

Having learnt the knack for pouring the perfect measure of olive oil, it's important to know how much is ideal for your recipes. According to Food Network, the key is to use just enough oil to coat the bottom of your pan, which is usually around one to two tablespoons, instead of an overly generous amount.

The NHS points out the necessity of including a small portion of fats in a balanced diet, particularly highlighting the beneficial monounsaturated fats found in olive oil. Nevertheless, it's essential to exercise moderation in all aspects of eating.

Given that a tablespoon of olive oil contains 119 calories and daily calorie intake recommendations vary between 2,000 to 2,500, it's prudent not to soak your food in it.