Oil
Types of Vegetable Oils
Apr
Vegetable oils are edible oils that are normally extracted from plants and seeds. They are one of the major ingredients of cooking and are used in almost all types of food. They are not only used for cooking purposes but also for baking, salad dressing, and processed foods. The vegetable oil is mostly used in cooking to give a unique texture and flavor to the food. It is observed that for the past few years the consumption of vegetable oil has increased reasonably and nowadays they are found in almost every house. Some of the vegetable oils are also considered beneficial for health.
Methods of Extracting Vegetable Oils
There are mainly two methods of extracting vegetable oils which are discussed below:
1. Processed or Refined Oils
Processed oil or Refined oil is produced in large quantities by various companies as they are easy to produce and does not require much labor force. They are processed under high temperatures and are also known as hot-pressed oils. The seeds are processed in machines at a very high speed which produces a huge amount of temperature. Then various types of chemicals are added to it at different stages to give them rich color and odor. Some chemicals are added to them to improve their life span so that they can be preserved for a longer duration.
2. Cold Pressed Oils
Cold pressed oil is produced naturally without the use of any type of chemicals in them. The seeds are washed and crushed to extract oil out of them and in this process, they do not undergo high temperature. It is quite evident that preparing cold-pressed oils requires much laborious work than processed oils and that is why they cost a little more than processed oil.
Comparing the above two types of vegetable oils nowadays people prefer to use cold-pressed oils because they are naturally produced and do not contain any type of chemicals. As processed oil undergoes a huge amount of heat, they lose some of the major nutrients in them and cold-pressed oil on the contrary retains all the nutrients. Hence, from the health point of view also cold-pressed oils are much better than processed oils.
Types of Vegetable Oils used in India
Nowadays there are various types of vegetable oils available in markets but still, there are some vegetable oils which are being used by people for years. These oils always remain in demand and people prefer to use them. Some of the popular vegetable oils are discussed below:
1. Peanut Oil
Peanut oil is also known as groundnut oil and is extracted from peanuts. It is mostly used in preparing vegetarian food and it also costs higher than other types of oils available in the market. It has a very rich taste and odor and it is also considered healthier than other types of oils.
2. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is one of the most used edible oils in India. It is rich in fatty acids and provides essential nutrients to the body. They are available in different varieties in markets.
3. Coconut Oil
It is extracted from coconuts and is mostly used in southern states especially in Kerala. All types of foods prepared in Kerala use coconut oil. Coconut oil is also much healthier and has a variety of health benefits.
4. Mustard Oil
Mustard oil is made from mustard seeds and it is fatty vegetable oil. It has a very rich taste and is mostly used in cooking in various parts of India. Mustard oil is mostly preferred in preparing non-vegetarian foods in north India.
5. Soyabean Oil
It is produced from soya seeds and it is also known as common man’s oil. This oil is mostly consumed in India and it is available at a very affordable price compared to other types of oils. Ruchi Soya is the leading manufacturer of Soybean oil in India.
6. Olive Oil
Olive oil is mostly used in cooking but apart from cooking it is also used in salad dressing. Various big brands of olive oil are available in the market nowadays.
7. Rice Bran Oil
It is extracted from raw rice and is mostly used for cooking in India. Rice bran oil is rich in monosaturated fatty acids and also helps in reducing cholesterol.
8. Flaxseed Oil
It is extracted from Flax seeds and is also known as Linseed oil. This oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acid which helps in the prevention of Crohn’s disease and colitis.
9. Palm Oil
Palm oil looks reddish and is extracted from the fruit of oil palms. It is a very rich source of antioxidants and vitamin E. It is considered very good for cancer patients.
10. Canola Oil
It is also one of the most popular edible oils in India. It is extracted from canola seeds and is a good source of vitamin E and vitamin K. It is much beneficial for the heart and reduces blood pressure.
11. Cottonseed Oil
It is a commonly used vegetable oil in India, which is extracted from seeds of cotton plants. It is also used in baking and frying potato chips.
12. Cashew Oil
It is prepared from cashew nuts and is rich in nutrients. Although it is much costly but has a variety of health benefits. Cashew oil has antibacterial properties and boosts our immune system to fight against various diseases. It is also found to be beneficial in improving eyesight and reducing cholesterol levels
Above discussed oils are mostly used in Indian cooking and they are considered much healthier as compared to any other types of oils. Most of the oils contain various types of fatty acids which are required by our body. As our body does not produce these fatty acids itself, hence their deficiencies can be fulfilled by intake of these oils. People nowadays are shifting from refined oils to cold-pressed oils as they do not contain any harmful chemicals and all the major nutrients required by the body are present in them.
