Which oils to use in the kitchen and why

There is such a wide range of oils on the market right now, with some being reported as better or healthier than others, so it can be hard to know which one to use in your food prep.

The fact is most oils have their strengths and their weaknesses and some do certain jobs better than others, so it is a good idea to have a range of oils in your pantry.

Here you can find out what are the different oils’ superpowers and which one you should be using in a variety of circumstances.

Sunflower oil

Sunflower oil is an option most people will have at their disposal but is it always the best oil to use?

Well, it has one big thing going for it and that is its high smoke point – which basically means it must get extremely hot before it starts smoking.

This makes it an ideal choice for things like stir-fries and roasted meats and vegetables.

Olive oil

In contrast to sunflower oil, olive oil has a low smoke point so avoid using it for recipes needing a high heat.

Instead, reach for it if you are sauteing vegetables for a soup, for example, or if you are using it cold to drizzle over salads or as a dip for crusty breads.

CBD oil

This has only recently begun emerging as an oil for use in the kitchen and while more research is needed into the suggested health benefits of CBD oil, it might be helpful to know how to best use it if you do consider giving it a go.

As many people choose CBD oil for its potential health benefits you do not want to get it too hot as any will be lost in the cooking process.

Instead use it as an ingredient in cold recipes such as smoothies or add to baked goods which cook at a lower temperature.

If you prefer not to add another oil to the kitchen, you can also get CBD oil supplements such as cbd gummies which are mixed fruit flavours.

Coconut oil

While there are some who report positive health effects from coconut oil, it is extremely high in saturated fats which is a risk factor for heart disease and high cholesterol, so more research is needed into whether it is a healthier alternative to butter, for example.

It does have a high smoke point though so could be considered when cooking at high heat.

Sesame oil

Sesame oil has a very distinctive taste and is commonly associated with Asian-style cooking.

There are two varieties, standard sesame oil and toasted sesame oil which had a more intense taste. This oil is commonly used to flavour dishes not to cook with as it can end up with a burned flavour if used on too high a heat, so add it towards the end of the cooking to give your dish a nutty kick.

Hopefully, that has cleared up some of the cooking oil confusion and will help you to make the best choices when it comes to selecting the best oil for the job.