The most refined healthy cooking oil for the job is dependent mainly on what you’re creating. Whether you’re baking, frying, or making a vinaigrette, there’s a cooking oil for the job.
Most cooking oils have similar nutritional profiles regarding calorie and total fat content, but they vary significantly in flavor, odor, and cooking characteristics.
The two oils differ mainly in their fatty acid content. Peanut oil is high in monounsaturated fats, while avocado oil contains primarily polyunsaturated fats. Both oils are a good source of vitamin E and beneficial antioxidants, but peanut oil has a higher smoke point than avocado oil.
We will discuss what each oil is made from, how healthy they are for you, and their side effects. We will also give you some ideas on using them in your kitchen!
History and Origin of Peanut and Avocado Oil
In 1802 in Landes, Aquitaine, the French experimented with making Peanut Oil for the first time. The French supported peanut planting in Senegal’s colony in the 1820s to increase the availability of peanuts for oil. By the 1830s, peanut oil was used to produce soap in Marseilles.
On the other hand, the avocado tree (Persea Americana) is a Lauraceae family member that originated in Mexico and Central America. Its thick-skinned fruit is classified as a berry and bears a single big seed.
The high oil content of the avocado fruit has been known since Aztec times, with the fruit sometimes referred to as “vegetable butter” or “butter pear.”
The plant originated in Central America, and its cultivation has spread to warm subtropical and temperate climates worldwide. Avocado plants were introduced to Spain in 1601, according to historical documents.
They arrived in Indonesia about 1750, Brazil in 1809, Australia and South Africa in the late 1800s, and Israel in 1908.
Avocados were traditionally known by their Spanish name ‘ahuacate,’ or as ‘alligator pears,’ due to the texture of its skin. The California Avocado Association popularized the now-common term ‘avocado,’ which was initially a vague historical reference to the plant, in 1915.
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Making of Peanut Oil and Avocado Oil
Extraction of peanut oil is done using peanut kernels. By crushing and pressing the peanuts, they release their natural oils. The peanut oil is then refined, bleached, and deodorized to remove impurities and give it a neutral flavor.
The peanuts can also be roasted to create a nutty flavor. Its extraction is commonly divided into expeller pressing and solvent extraction. These two methods are typically used in combination.
Nowadays, a peanut oil expeller is similar to a meat grinder. When pressing, peanuts are placed in the grinder, and high pressure and force are used as the screw twists and moves. The peanut meal is then separated from the peanut oil via a perforated screen.
However, there is still a little amount of oil in the peanut powder that cannot be extracted with an expeller. The peanut oil can then be completely extracted via solvent extraction.
However, solvent extraction is quite costly, and it is frequently utilized in medium and large-scale peanut oil manufacturing. It includes the use of a solvent, typically hexane, to extract peanut oil from peanut powder and, in some cases, peanut.
The extraction of oil from ripe avocados is a mechanical process similar to that of olive oil extraction, with the extra step of removing the skin and stone (seed). The flesh is then crushed to a paste and malaxed for 40-60 minutes at 45-50°C.
Although this is a higher malaxing temperature than that used for olive oil extraction, it is still termed cold-pressed extraction for avocado oil.
The slightly higher temperature facilitates the extraction of the oil from the oil-containing cells while having no effect on the oil’s quality. A high-speed decanting centrifuge separates the oil and water phases from the pulp, and the oil is subsequently separated from the water in final polishing centrifuges.
The pulp and waste skin/seeds from the decanting centrifuge are sent to orchards for soil treatment and mulch, or utilized as animal feed.
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Uses of Both Oils
Peanut oil is mainly used for cooking purposes, while avocado oil is used as a cosmetic oil and also in the food industry. Peanut oil has a high smoke point so it’s good for frying, but it can also be used in salad dressings or as a marinade.
The fatty acid profile of peanut oil makes it an excellent choice for deep-frying since it resists oxidation and the formation of harmful compounds at high temperatures.
Avocado oil has a very mild flavor and a high smoke point of 520 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s perfect for cooking everything from vegetables to meat. It’s also great for salad dressings, marinades, or as a finishing oil.
Avocado oil is also becoming increasingly popular as a cosmetic oil. It’s perfect for massage oils, face serums, and hair treatments since it’s easily absorbed into the skin without clogging pores.
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Health Benefits of Using Peanut Oil and Avocado Oil
Both peanut oil and avocado oil are high in monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to improve heart health by lowering bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol.
They’re also rich in antioxidants, which can help protect against cell damage and reduce the risk of disease.
Peanut oil is a good source of vitamin E, while avocado oil is a good source of vitamins A and C.
So, if you’re looking for an oil that’s good for your heart and your overall health, peanut oil or avocado oil is a good choice.
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Properties of Peanut Oil and Avocado Oil
Peanut oil has a nutty taste, avocado oil has a milder flavor than avocados. Its pleasant flavor is something between nutty and grassy.
Peanut oil is light yellow in color, while avocado oil is greenish-yellow.
Peanut oil has a high smoke point of about 450 degrees Fahrenheit, while avocado oil has a smoke point of 520 degrees Fahrenheit.
This means that peanut oil is good for frying, while avocado oil is better suited for cooking at high temperatures.
Peanut oil is a good choice for those who are looking for an oil with a neutral flavor, while avocado oil is a good choice for those who want an oil with a milder flavor.
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Varieties of Peanut Oil and Avocado Oil
There are two main types of peanut oil: refined and unrefined.
Refined peanut oil has a higher smoke point and is more neutral in flavor, while unrefined peanut oil has a lower smoke point and is more flavorful.
Refined peanut oil is made by filtering out impurities and bleaching the oil to remove any unwanted flavors.
Unrefined peanut oil is made by cold-pressing peanuts to extract the oil. This method preserves the peanut’s flavor, making it a good choice for those who want a more flavorful peanut oil.
Avocado oil is available in both refined and unrefined forms. The refined form has a higher smoke point and a milder flavor, it has a translucent yellow color and a higher smoke point ranging from 500F to 520F.
The refinement process comprises deodorizing or bleaching the oil, which results in a much more mild flavor.
While the unrefined form has a deep green tint, a buttery, fatty flavor, and a smoke point of roughly 482°F since it retains similar qualities to the original avocado. The green color is caused by chlorophylls found in the fruit’s flesh and skin.
As a result, it’s critical to keep the unrefined oil away from light, as the presence of chlorophyll can cause oxidation and increase the likelihood of it getting rancid.
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Side Effects of Using Peanut Oil and Avocado Oil
Peanut allergy sufferers can consume highly refined peanut oil but should avoid first-press, organic oil. Most highly refined peanut oils have been demonstrated to be safe for “the great majority of peanut-allergic individuals” by removing peanut allergens.
Cold-pressed peanut oils, on the other hand, may not eliminate allergens and hence pose a significant risk to people with peanut allergies.
Avocado oil has been reported to induce skin allergies in certain persons, as well as itching on the skin. People have acquired red rashness on various places of their skin in some circumstances.
Avocado oil should be avoided by people who are hypersensitive to it, as well as pregnant women. Avocado oil consumption has been linked to fever and gastrointestinal disorders in some persons. It is also not recommended for persons who are latex sensitive.
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Which Oil Should You Use?
Both peanut oil and avocado oil are good choices for those who are looking for an oil that is good for their heart and their overall health.
If you’re looking for an oil that has a neutral flavor, then peanut oil is a good choice for you. If you’re looking for an oil that has a milder flavor, then avocado oil is a good choice for you.
It’s important to remember that both peanut oil and avocado oil have a high smoke point, which means that they are good for frying.
If you have a peanut allergy, it’s important to avoid cold-pressed peanut oil, as it may contain allergens.
Avocado oil has been reported to induce skin allergies in certain persons, as well as itching on the skin. If you are hypersensitive to avocado oil, or if you are pregnant, it’s important to avoid avocado oil.
However, considering all the good sides and not-so-good sides of both peanut oil and avocado oil, you can make a decision on which suits your need best.
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Conclusion: Peanut Oil Vs Avocado Oil
So, what is the bottom line? Both oils have their unique benefits and uses, so it really depends on what you are looking for in an oil. If you need an oil with a high smoke point, then either peanut oil or avocado oil would be a good choice.
If you have a peanut allergy, avoid cold-pressed peanut oil, and if you are allergic to avocado, you are pregnant, or have a latex allergy then avoid avocado oil.
Other than that, both oils have a good nutritional value and can be used for various purposes though avocado oil is more versatile. So choose wisely and enjoy the benefits of both peanut oil and avocado oil!
