If we think back a few years, what were the oils you relied on for cooking? Canola oil? Vegetable oil? Maybe even extra virgin olive oil?
As alternative oils have grown in popularity for their purported health benefits, another concern has begun to draw our attention: cooking temperature, or smoke point.
It turns out that not all oils are created equal: while your favorite unfiltered oil may taste amazing drizzled over various dishes, it's not safe to heat up at high temperatures, making olive oil, for example, to be prohibited for cooking at high heat - it starts to smoke when heated. 160 degrees Celsius. This is called the smoke point and is an important factor to consider when choosing an oil to cook with.
When oil begins to smoke, it begins to produce cancer-causing free radicals and other unhealthy compounds, not to mention that a burnt oil will definitely alter the flavor of your favorite dish.
So the smoke point is a solid argument for stocking up on healthy cooking oils. You can have them at hand at any time and a new oil worth considering is avocado oil.
What is avocado oil?
Toast topping, smoothie supplement, or everyone's favorite salad ingredient, it's a super versatile oil. What makes avocado oil so good? We all know and love avocados for their deep nutritional content—just about 1/5 of an avocado has about 2 grams of fiber, lutein, antioxidants, and four grams of fat, most of which are monounsaturated (heart-healthy). But did you know that avocados can make the other foods you eat with them even healthier?
Adding healthy fats like avocados to salads, smoothies, etc. it can help absorb nutrients, and avocados may even increase certain compounds, such as carotenoids , that prevent disease and support eye health. And avocado oil boasts the same benefits.
So what is it? Avocado oil is made from the soft pulp of the avocado fruit, which is placed in a centrifuge and spun at high speeds to separate the fat from the rest of the pulp. Although slightly more expensive than olive oil, avocado oil is more versatile.
How do you use avocado oil?
What does avocado oil taste like? Well, as you might expect - a bit like avocado! Avocado oil has a classic, slightly grassy avocado flavor, but is much lighter than its counterpart, olive oil, making avocado oil much more versatile, especially considering its high smoke point.
While olive oil should only be heated to a maximum temperature of around 160 degrees Celsius - too low for most stovetop cooking - avocado oil's smoke point is 250 degrees Celsius, making it a safe choice for most - but not all - cooking. Rich, thick, and relatively neutral, avocado oil lends itself as an easy substitute for vegetable oil in most recipes—or use it in cooking when you might otherwise choose olive oil.
When choosing avocado oil, always look for 100% pure avocado oil (no fillers or additives).
Some of our favorite ways to use avocado oil:
- Replaces other oils. If you're bored with the oil you're using or don't like the taste, choose avocado oil for a change.
- Cook with it. Replace vegetable oil with avocado oil in cooking for a better-for-you alternative.
- Add a small spoonful to smoothies. Don't have ripe avocados on hand? Add a teaspoon of avocado oil to smoothies to help absorb nutrients.
- Improve your mayo! Homemade mayo is simple but usually requires vegetable oil. Swap it for avocado oil as a healthier option.
- Improve your favorite hummus or pesto recipe. Most commercial hummus and pesto are made with vegetable oils - make your own at home with avocado oil.
- Similarly, use it to make your own salad dressing . A quick read of the ingredient list for conventional dressings will have you making your own at home with avocado oil in no time.