Our parents used to only have to choose between vegetable oil and lard. Now, with the rise of organic food, healthy options, and a multitude of weird diets, there are more types of oils than ways you can use them. Here’s a handy guide so you can choose the right oil for your needs.
Sunflower, canola, palm, avocado, olive… apparently, oil can be made from pretty much any greasy vegetable. The wide variety also means you can choose the ones you like better, or you can use different oils for different purposes. Some oils are healthy but won’t suit high cooking temperatures, while others don’t taste like much, but are ideal for stir-frying or pan-frying.
Classic olive oil adds delicious flavor to salads and meats but has a lower burning point and because of it, it’s a bit trickier to use for cooking. Coconut oil has some hardcore fanatics now that it can be found pretty much anywhere. It can be used for cooking, skin, and hair, however, you should avoid using it in dressings or marinades, because this oil gets solid at room temperature. Avocado oil, in turn, is great for anything but can be kind of pricey. As you can see, when it comes to oils, the world is your oyster! Check out today’s infographic to choose the right one for every occasion.