When it comes to cooking, oil is one of the most important ingredients that we can think of. Be it sautéing, baking or frying, oil adds the depth to almost every food we eat. Oil also helps to absorb the flavours of a food and enhance the overall taste. One of the most important aspects for selecting oil for any recipe is its smoke point. The smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which it starts burning. If heated beyond its smoke point, it not only harms the flavours but also takes away the nutrients from the oil as well as the other ingredients used in a particular dish.
There are varieties of oils in the market but knowing the difference may help you chose the right kind of oil for your health and kitchen.
Here Are The Features Of 5 Popular Cooking Oils For You:
Refined Oil
These forms of oils are named so depending on the extraction method used for their production. If the oil is extracted by pressing then it is usually called as virgin oil, while if the extraction is carried out by solvents then it is called refined oil. These are extracted from various sources like vegetables, flowers, legumes and grain bran. Here's an example of flower-based refined oil for you:
Mustard Oil
Mustard oil is the oil extracted by pressing mustard seeds. This variety is one of the most commonly used oils because of its easy availability and pungent flavour. This flavour works as an important element in a lot of traditional Indian dishes. If you want to buy a bottle of mustard oil, here's an option for you:
Olive Oil
Olive oil is extracted from the liquid fat in olives and contains healthy monosaturated fatty acids. This may help in lowering heart-related risks. It is said, olive oil in its extra-virgin form is one of the most nutritious edible oil. This oil has low smoke point. Here's an option for you:
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is extracted from the meat of a matured coconut. Rich in saturated fats, it is a popular option among the people underdoing paleolethic and ketogenic diets. This oil, which is solid in room temperature, is used both for cooking and baking. If you want to buy coconut oil, here's an option for you:
Canola Oil
Canola oil is made out of crushed canola seed and has less saturated fat. It is dubbed to be good for heart health. It is said that canola oil is one of the most versatile ones because of its light flavour, high smoking point and smooth texture. It is majorly used for sautéing, frying and baking. Here's an option for you:
About Somdatta SahaExplorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day.