There are many cooking oils on the market these days, so much so that it can be difficult to know which cooking oil can be used when. In this article, we’ll be taking you through everything you need to know about cooking oils, together with which ones can be used for different cooking applications. So, what are the different types of cooking oil, and what can they be used for? Let’s find out.
Olive oil
Olive oil is available in different variations, including olive, virgin and extra virgin. While they’re suitable for things like salad dressings, dips and marinades, olive oil is more suitable for cooking as it can withstand higher heats, but it shouldn’t be used for high-heat cooking. Use olive oil for medium-to-high cooking instead. Olive oil can be used for frying, sauteing, roasting and baking, as well as drizzling over dishes in its raw form.
It can also be used for non-cooking applications, including hair conditioners, makeup removers, skin moisturisers and even earwax removal. While it’s one of the healthiest cooking oils on the market, there are some downsides to olive oil. The first being that it’s expensive to buy when compared to other types of cooking oil, especially if it’s organic or extra virgin.
Rapeseed oil
Rapeseed oil is low in saturated fats, making it one of the healthier cooking oils. It can be heated to a range of 400-450 degrees Celsius. It has a more subtle flavour to it, making it a versatile cooking oil for use in various applications. It’s also high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which is another property making it a healthier cooking oil when compared to others.
Rapeseed oil can be used for a wealth of different things, including: frying, roasting, baking, sauteing, stir-frying, salad dressings and in marinades. Despite all of its benefits, there are some disadvantages, including its fishy scent when it begins to age. It also has a relatively low lifespan, lasting around six months to a year after opening. However, it can also be used for other things, besides cooking, such as in candles, soaps, lipsticks, inks, biofuels and insecticides.
Vegetable oil
Vegetable oil can include a wide range of different cooking oils, which is often something people don’t realise. This type of oil can include: olive oil, avocado oil, rapeseed oil and even peanut oil. Often, vegetable oil can be made up of a blend of all, or some, of the above to give it its rich flavour, and to give it the properties needed to be able to withstand both high and medium-heat cooking.
Vegetable oil can be used for stir-frying, roasting, baking, deep frying and sauteing. Alongside its versatility when it comes to cooking, vegetable oil is also inexpensive, when compared to other cooking oils, and can be easily found in supermarkets.
In addition, vegetable oil also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which, when used in moderation, are good for us. When used in excess, the omega-3 fatty acids can cause inflammation, such as heartburn. As well as this, when vegetable oil is hydrogenated, it can contain trans fat, which is unhealthy. Simply use vegetable oil in moderation when cooking.
Sunflower oil
Sunflower oil comes in two different types: regular and high oleic. The latter is healthier. This is because they include monounsaturated fats, as well as polyunsaturated fats. In addition, it’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids and so it’s best to use sunflower oil in moderation when cooking.
While omega-3 fatty acids are healthy for us, to an extent, too much of it can cause inflammation. However, sunflower oil is a versatile cooking oil that many people use. Sunflower oil can be used for the following applications: frying, baking, salad dressing, sauteing and roasting.
Peanut oil
Peanut oil is widely used for sautéing and frying. This is because it can withstand considerably high heat before it starts to break down. It has a neutral-yet-nutty flavour which is also rich in vitamin E, monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. It needs to be used in moderation, ideally, but you can use it for a wide range of different cooking applications, including: frying, stir-frying, flavouring, roasting, sauteing, salad dressings and for use in marinades.
Avocado oil
Avocado oil is high in monounsaturated fats, which are considered to be heart-healthy, in moderation. Surprisingly, avocado oil can be used in baking, mainly because it has no real flavour. In addition to being bland in taste, avocado oil, when refined, has a smoke point of 375 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for roasting vegetables, for instance.
Avocado oil is a versatile cooking oil and can be used for roasting, baking, frying, sauteing and for using on salads. This means that avocado oil can be eaten cooked or raw. The only downside, however, is that it’s rather expensive when compared to other cooking oils. It can also be difficult to get your hands on it.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is made from the white pulp of a whole coconut. When it becomes a cooking ingredient, after the process has been completed, it turns into a white, pearlescent colour. This is more the case once it has completely solidified and thickened. Coconut oil is mainly used for high-heat cooking and baking. But it can also be used in its raw form in desserts.
Many people use it for other applications besides cooking in the kitchen. There are some who would use it as a natural sunscreen (although we recommend using sun cream bought from pharmacies). It can also be used as a moisturiser for the skin.
The great thing about coconut oil is that it can be used for cooking on even the highest heat. It also provides excellent flavour, together with offering antimicrobial and antifungal properties, also. However, it should be used in moderation, thanks to its high percentage of saturated fat. In addition, its flavour can be extremely strong. This often means that not all foods will be complemented by coconut oil.
Cater Oils can provide customers with fresh supplies of cooking oil, including vegetable oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, pomace oil and rapeseed oil. In addition to our cooking oil supplies, we can also provide a free waste cooking oil collection service. We will collect your used cooking oil for free from your premises. In return, we will give you cash or a credit note against a fresh supply of cooking oil – the choice is yours. We then use your waste cooking oil to create biodiesel for use throughout the community. If you would like further information, get in touch with a member of our friendly, professional team today – we’re always pleased to hear from you.
