What Is Cooking Oil?
Cooking Oil Is plant, animal, or synthetic liquid fat used in frying, baking, and other types of cooking. It is also used in food preparation and flavoring not involving heat, such as salad dressings and bread dips, and may be called edible oil.
What Is Cooking Oil Used For?
Oils are the basis for many favorite recipes and play a major part in various cooking techniques, from sautéing and frying to roasting and baking.
What Is Cooking Oil Made Of?
Vegetable oil is oil that is extracted from various types of fruits, seeds, grains, and nuts (all considered vegetables for this purpose). The most popular oils are made from canola, coconut, corn, cottonseed, olive, palm, palm-kernel, peanut, safflower, soybean, and sunflower.
Why Is Cooking Oil Important?
The major use of cooking oil is in frying, where it functions as a heat transfer medium and contributes flavour and texture to foods. One requirement of a cooking oil is that it be stable under the very abusive conditions of deep-fat frying, namely, high temperatures and moisture.
Are All Cooking Oil The Same?
In terms of performance and flavor, not all cooking oils are created equal. Some are ideal for cooking at high temperatures think deep-frying and sautéing. Others are super flavorful and can add another layer of depth to your dishes, but burn (and become chemically altered) when heated.
How Long Is Cooking Oil Good For?
Unopened vegetable oil can last up to 24 months if stored in a cool, dry place. Oils high in polyunsaturated fats like canola oil will go bad quicker than oils higher in monounsaturated fats like olive oil and peanut oil. Once opened, good-quality oil can last up to a year.
How Long Is Used Cooking Oil Good For?
Crack open your container and smell the oil you’re keeping periodically. If there is even a hint of rancidity or anything “off,” it’s time to toss it out. Regardless of the amount of care you’re putting in here, you shouldn’t use oil that’s more than 1-2 months old.
Types of Cooking Oils:
Canola oil. This common oil is extracted from the rapeseed plant. Its neutral taste and high smoke point make it a good choice for frying, sauteing, and baking. It’s also used to make margarine. It doesn’t have as much blood pressure-lowering omega-3 as extra-virgin olive oil, but canola oil boasts one of the lowest levels of saturated fats. That can make it a good choice to help your heart health. It also has alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which your body converts to essential fatty acids. That makes it a great supplement to a vegetarian diet.
Olive oil. Olive fruit and pits are crushed to make this fragrant, fruity tasting oil that’s green or yellow in color. Extra virgin olive oil — the least refined of all types of olive oil — has the lowest smoke point. It’s also healthy for the heart. Bottles simply labelled “olive oil” are a mixture of refined and extra virgin oils.
Coconut oil. The buzz on this tasty, trendy oil is that it may have disease-preventing properties, but the blood pressure-conscious should beware: This oil packs the highest amount of saturated fat. It’s easy to be tempted by a great flavor boost, but too much saturated fat is a health no-no. Stick with traditional, nontropical vegetable oils. Olive and canola are better options.
If you want to give coconut oil a try, use it sparingly for light sauteing or low-heat baking and in sauces. It has a medium smoke point.
Vegetable oil. This is typically a mixed, neutral-tasting oil. Its nutrition varies depending on the particular blend. It’s often a mix of soybean, palm, sunflower, safflower, and canola oils. It usually has a medium-high smoke point and is quite versatile.
Avocado oil. This oil has a sweet aroma and is quite healthy for you. It contains mainly monounsaturated fatty acids that can help lower inflammation. It also has a high smoke point, making it good for frying and searing.
Sunflower oil. This comes from sunflower seeds. It’s a refined oil high in omega-6 fatty acids. It’s good for your heart health and it can lower inflammation. It mainly has monounsaturated fats, and its smoke point is high. Look for its high-oleic versions to reap all the benefits.
Peanut oil. It’s heart-healthy and tastes neutral. Refined peanut oil has a medium-high smoke point and is commonly used for frying. You can find unrefined peanut oil, too, though it’s quite rare.
Almond oil. If you’re looking for a distinctive, nutty flavor to add to a recipe, almond oil is tasty and typically low in saturated fat. Recent studies show that a diet rich in almonds may help reduce blood pressure.
Cooking Oil Prices In Ghana:
Frytol Vegetable Cooking Oil
Price GH₵29.99
Frytol Sunflower Cooking Oil 0.9 litre
Price GH₵32.99
À Table Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1litre
Price GH₵80.99
Best-One Extra Virgin Olive Oil 250ml
Price GH₵28.97
Adela Foods Coconut Oil, 100% Natural Cold Pressed 520ml
Price GH₵40.99
Kunella Pure Sesame Oil
Price GH₵46.99
Borges Classic Olive Oil 100% Pure 250ml
Price GH₵30.99