Understanding Cooking Oils - Flavor, Fats & Smoke Points

Cooking oil is an essential ingredient of any meal. It is used in everything, from salads to the main courses. Since low-quality cooking oil might result in heart infections and cholesterol blockages, it becomes important to choose cooking oil which will ensure a healthy lifestyle. As a result, it is necessary to make a conscious choice while purchasing cooking oil.

Using certain oils when cooking can be healthy, however, too much of any oil can add extra calories to your diet. Here's what you should know about the best and worst cooking oils for your health—from olive oil and sesame oil, to avocado oil and more:

1) Olive Oil: is one of the healthiest & versatile oils that you can use for salads and everyday cooking. Densely loaded with antioxidants and  Vitamin K & E, Olive Oil tends to offers numerous health benefits. All of its calories come from fat, mostly good-for-you monounsaturated fat, making it a nutritious addition to your diet.

2) Sesame Oil: A staple oil used in Asian cooking, this edible vegetable oil is derived from the sesame seeds. Sesame oil is highly regarded for its anti-inlammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It offers a high-smoke point and can be invariably used for stir fry dishes and marinades.

3) Avocodo Oil:  is highly rich in vitamin E & imparts a mild, buttery flavor that works well in both sweet and savory recipes. It is a heart-healthy oil, high in oleic acid, which is unsaturated fat. Avacado oil is  lately gaining traction among the Paleo folks who need a healthy-fat variation so all their food doesn't taste like coconut oil.

4) Peanut Oil: has a nutty flavor and medium to high-smoke point, which makes it perfect for cooking savory dishes and stir fries. Peanut oil composes a very good lipid profile. It has saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated (SFA: MUFA: PUFA= 18: 49: 33) fats in healthy proportions.

5) Corn Oil: is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and bland in taste. Corn oil is extracted from the germ portion of the corn. With a high smoke point, the refined oil is mostly used for frying but can also be used in a number of other recipes as well, from baking to stir fries.

6) Coconut Oil: has been used for South Indian cuisines for ages. Coconut oil is ideal for searing, sautéing, and, depending on the grade, even frying. However, this oil should always be used in moderation. The main point of conflict is its high saturated fat content; unlike other plant-based oils, coconut oil is primarily a saturated fat. 

7) Grape Seed Oil: is a healthy cooking oil that offers a high-smoke point. With a mild and nutty flavor, it is ideal for use in making marinades. 

HL Agro  is a trusted supplier known for providing high-quality sesame seeds & corn germ for the oil extraction purposes. The company is ingeniously engaged in procuring & hygenically processing the plant-based raw materials for various industrial uses. Moreover, it ensures that only the finest products reach their customers with rigorous quality checks.