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We talk about seed oil, but it would be more appropriate to speak of "oils": in fact, there are many varieties of this product. The differences between the main types depend, of course, on the seeds used. Among the best known and most used varieties of seed oil are:
Sunflower seed oil: Straw yellow, is made by processing the seeds of the flower; it contains polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid, which is important for heart health. It is suitable for frying vegetables, as it is particularly resistant and stable at medium-high temperatures (120-150 °C), although peanut seed oil remains the best option.
Flaxseed oil: An excellent source of omega-3, flaxseed oil is eaten fresh and raw, ideal for dressing salads and vegetable dishes. Precautions must be taken when storing it: it should be kept in the refrigerator to prevent it from going rancid.
Peanut oil: Made from the fattiest part of the seeds, peanut oil has a sweet, pleasant flavor and is best suited for frying.
Corn oil: Not actually a seed oil, but rather a "grain" oil, corn oil is rich in vitamins, beta-carotene, and heart-healthy substances. Recommended uses: Raw for dressing salads and cold dishes, cooked for fried foods that don't require high temperatures.
Pumpkin seed oil: Has an intense, strong flavor that makes it enjoyable even raw. Pumpkin seed oil is rich in mineral salts, fatty acids, and vitamins. Soybean oil
: Bright yellow and delicately flavored, soybean oil is the most widely used variety worldwide. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, it's also good as a raw spice.
Palm oil: Also called palm oil, it's made from the inner kernel of the palm fruit. Unlike other seed oils, it has a higher concentration of saturated fat. It should not be confused with palm oil obtained by processing the pulp.
And what about oil from different seeds? This term, which must appear on the packaging by law, refers to a mixture of oils from different seeds. Cheap oil from different seeds, in particular, is also the least suitable for food purposes, precisely because it is not possible to determine with certainty which oils it is composed of.
How
to Choose a Seed Oil How to choose a good seed oil, what does it contain and how to store it properly? Seed oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, it is a good source of vitamins, especially peanut oil, which is rich in vitamin E and is a great ally of the cardiovascular system; Corn oil is useful for lowering bad cholesterol levels in the blood, and sunflower oil helps reduce triglyceride levels.
How to store it: Does seed oil have an expiration date?
Depending on the type of seed, oils are also more or less susceptible to rancidity: transparent bottles contribute to this process because they do not protect against the oxidizing effects of light. For these reasons, it is recommended to pour seed oil into dark bottles, always close the caps carefully, and store them away from light and heat sources. Despite their good initial nutritional properties, it is important to note that seed oils lose a significant portion of their nutrients during the refining process, so it is best to choose varieties of oil obtained by mechanical extraction, "virgin," and even better if it is cold-pressed.
Does seed oil have an expiration date? Generally, oils last 12 to 18 months: after this period, they inevitably begin to go rancid. By taking the precautions above, you can extend its shelf life to 18-20 months, but you will find that the flavor (and nutritional properties) will gradually fade. Consuming rancid seed oil is not dangerous: it will not cause major problems, but it will certainly cause some minor digestive issues; if the seed oil goes rancid, you can reuse it as a nail and hair tonic. If you have already used it and want to dispose of it, be sure to take it to the nearest recycling point.
Hook on the nut? Better not to throw it away: We
tend to think that little tab we tear off the cap of the seed oil bottle is useless, and in fact, we throw it away the first time we use it. What if we told you that this little tab has a specific use? Seed oil bottles have a triangular opening sealed by a cap that is torn off with a ring: this tab can help us measure the oil, avoiding waste and over-frying. How to do it? Open the bottle, tear off the tab, and put it back in the hole by turning the plastic ring inside the bottle and applying gentle pressure. This way, we will create a space through which the oil will flow in a stream, slowly, with an easily adjustable flow rate.
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