Have you ever tried avocado oil? It is gaining popularity as a delicious and healthy alternative.
There is an ongoing debate about the best oils for frying and other uses in the kitchen. In addition to mainstays such as olive oil and canola oil, recent years have seen the rise of peanut oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, pumpkin seed oil, and more. Oil or claiming to be the best cooking oil for home chefs. Avocado oil is currently the latest craze in cooking oils.
“Avocado oil is finally going mainstream,” Whole Foods recently said when it released its top food trends for 2023. Oil definitely sticks. ” Depending on the recipe, avocado may be the best oil.
What is avocado oil?
Avocado oil is one of the few oils that is not derived from seeds. It is made by pulping and pressing the fatty flesh of the avocado. (Despite being classified as a vegetable oil, avocados are actually fruits.)
Just like olive oil, the first-pressed avocado oil is called extra virgin. It is bright green in color and has a deep, rich, nutty, slightly sweet, almost woody flavor. There is also a “refined” version that is filtered and does not have the same green color.
Why should I use it?
Of all edible oils, avocado oil has the highest smoke point, which is the temperature at which the oil begins to burn and smoke, ruining the food being cooked. Edible oils and fats have a smoke point. Canola oil is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Olive oil is 375-400°F and peanut oil is 450°F. By comparison, avocado oil has a smoke point of a whopping 520 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal for frying.
Is avocado oil healthy?
Avocado oil has many health benefits, from making hair silky smooth to exfoliating dry skin. As a food, there is growing research evidence that avocado oil is heart-healthy and high in the unsaturated fat oleic acid. It’s important for your health.
What should I watch out for?
Avocado oil tends to be a little more expensive than other oils.
Also, until recently, the avocado oil business was somewhat turbulent and under scrutiny. They called for an urgent need to develop standards for avocado oil to protect consumers. The industry took note and now there are better quality oils on the market. Retailers such as Whole Foods have taken the lead by setting their own standards for oils.
