Share the post "Peanut Oil Vs. Sesame Oil (Differences and Uses)"
Trying to make a decision on what type of oil is best for you?
You’re not alone! It can be difficult to decide which oil is right for you, but we’re here to help. Peanut oil and sesame oil have their unique benefits and drawbacks, and we’ll break them down for you to make the right choice.
Sesame oil contains more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats than peanut oil, making it healthier. However, peanut oil also has less saturated fat than sesame oil. So, it depends on what’s important to you!
Make your choice today by reading our article on Peanut Oil vs. Sesame Oil and learn about the differences and uses of each!
Preparation of Peanut Oil and Sesame Oil
Peanut oil
Peanut oil is a mild-tasting vegetable oil derived from peanuts. It is available in refined, unrefined, and cold-pressed forms. For peanut oil benefits to be attained it has to be extracted via mechanical means and not with solvents or chemicals. Peanuts are high in fat, containing about 50% oil.
Refined peanut oil is light in color, has a bland taste and a high smoke point of 450 degrees F. It is not suitable for use in salad dressings or other recipes that call for an unrefined oil with a nutty flavor.
Unrefined peanut oil is made from roasted peanuts and has a peanut taste.
Cold-pressed peanut oil is made from peanuts that have had their hulls removed, then they are crushed and pressed to extract the peanut oils.
The peanut oil has a peanut flavor, low smoke point of 320 degrees F, and contains most of the peanut’s vitamin E content, which helps stabilize the peanut oil for longer storage.
Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds. Besides being used as cooking oil, it is also used as a flavor enhancer in many cuisines, having a distinctive nutty aroma and taste.
The extraction process of sesame oil is much more complicated than peanut oil. To make sesame oil, the seeds are first toasted to bring out their flavor. They are then ground into a paste and mixed with water. The oil is extracted by pressing or boiling the mixture.
LEARN MORE: Peanut Oil Vs Olive Oil
Varieties of Peanut Oil and Sesame Oil
Peanut oil
Cold-Pressed, Extra Virgin, and Hot-Processed Peanuts are one of the most popular types of peanut oil in the world, but not many people know that this is a leguminous plant whose seeds can be used to make edible oils.
- Cold-pressed peanut oil: Cold pressed peanut oil refers to peanut oil that has been squeezed from peanut kernels without the use of any chemicals or solvents.
- Extra-virgin peanut oil: Extra virgin peanut oil is usually made from roasted peanuts that have not been exposed to a heat treatment like hydrogenation.
- Hot-pressed peanut oil: Hot-pressed peanut oil is made by pressing raw, green peanuts at a high temperature.
Sesame oil
Cold-pressed, unrefined, and roasted are some of the most popular types. It is a seed oil made from the seeds of sesame fruit. Cold-pressed sesame oil is made from the seeds of the sesame fruit that have been ground into a paste and squeezed out without any chemicals or solvents.
Unrefined sesame oil is made from cold-pressed sesame oil that has been left to settle, which results in a higher concentration of sesame oil and a lower content of impurities such as waxes.
Sesame oil can be further categorized into light and dark. The light type has little flavor while the darker version has a stronger, nuttier flavor.
LEARN MORE: Peanut Oil Vs Corn Oil
Uses of Peanut Oil and Sesame Oil
Peanut oil is used mostly for cooking and frying, peanut butter, and peanut sauce. peanut oil is often used in Chinese, South Asian, and Southeast Asian cuisine.
Peanut oil is also used as an alternative to olive, peanut, and grapeseed oils. Peanut oil is sometimes added to peanut butter or other nut butter.
Peanut oil can be used in cooking at high temperatures because it has a smoke point of 216°C (420°F).
Sesame oil is one of the oldest known oils. It has a nutty, rich flavor that works well in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. Sesame oil is used as a cooking oil and flavoring agent in many different cuisines around the world.
Sesame oil has a high smoke point so it is good for stir-frying or sautéing at high temperatures. It is also used as a salad dressing ingredient or added to sauces.
It has a high smoke point of 410 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can be used for deep-frying, stir-frying, sautéing, or even grilling without smoking or splattering.
LEARN MORE: Can You Mix Peanut Oil and Canola Oil?
Nutrition and Health Benefits
Peanut oil is high in polyunsaturated fats, known as omega-six fatty acids, which can lower LDL or bad cholesterol and increase HDL or good cholesterol. It may also decrease the risk of heart attacks since it reduces platelet buildup and blood clots.
Peanut oil contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that may have anti-aging and cancer-fighting properties.
Peanut oil is rich in vitamin E, which can help strengthen the immune system and prevent cell damage from free radicals. peanut oil for hair is also good because it contains healthy fats like omega fatty acids, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins such as Biotin.
Sesame oil is a good source of omega- fatty acids, minerals like magnesium, calcium and zinc, and vitamins such as vitamin E. It also contains lignans which are phytonutrients that have cancer-fighting properties.
Sesame oil can improve skin health and help protect it from damage caused by UV rays. It is also used as a natural remedy for hair growth since it helps the scalp retain moisture.
LEARN MORE: How to Store Used Peanut Oil?
Smoke Point of Peanut Oil and Sesame Oil
Peanut oil has a high smoke point of 450°F, which makes it ideal for deep-frying. It can withstand the heat when being used to make stir fry dishes and other foods that require very high temperatures during cooking.
Peanut oil is also suitable for baking since it can be heated at up to 425°F without burning.
Sesame oil has a high smoke point of 410°F, which is lower than peanut oil. However, it is still suitable for deep-frying and other cooking methods that require high heat.
LEARN MORE: How Many Times Can You Use Peanut Oil?
Price of Peanut Oil and Sesame Oil
Peanut oil is more affordable than sesame oil and can be found in most grocery stores. It usually costs between $0.50 and $0.75 per ounce, which isn’t too expensive considering how much peanut oil you use in your cooking.
Sesame oil is also widely available but it costs more than peanut oil since peanuts are easier to grow than other seeds or nuts that can be made into oils, like almonds, walnuts, hazelnut, and cashew.
Health Risks
Peanut oil, peanut butter, and peanut flour are all derived from the peanut plant, Arachis hypogaea. These foods have many health benefits but they can also cause side effects in some people.
Peanut allergy is caused by peanut proteins. However, peanut oil and peanut flour can contain peanut proteins if they have not been highly refined.
Although peanut oils are generally well-tolerated by most people, they do pose a risk of side effects in some cases. Additionally, peanut oil may cause stomach upset in people who are sensitive to peanut oil or whose digestive systems cannot use peanut oil effectively.
If you have peanut allergy, be sure to avoid peanut oil and peanut flour.
Sesame oil, like many seed and nut foods, may cause an allergic response in 0.1–0.2 % of the population. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to sesame oil include itching, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, and nausea.
LEARN MORE: Peanut Oil Vs Safflower Oil
Storage of Peanut Oil and Sesame Oil
Peanut oil can be stored in a cool and dry place for up to one year. Refrigerating peanut oil is not necessary but it will extend its shelf life by several months if you choose to do so.
Sesame oil has a longer shelf life than peanut oil and can remain stable at room temperature for two years or more.
However, refrigeration will increase its shelf life even further so it’s recommended that you store sesame oil in the refrigerator if possible.
Conclusion
So, what’s the difference between peanut oil and sesame oil? Peanut oil is extracted from peanuts while sesame oil is extracted from sesame seeds. They both have different flavors and benefits, so it really depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want a light flavor with some health benefits, go for peanut oil. If you want a stronger flavor and more antioxidants, go for sesame oil. Plus, both oils are incredibly versatile and can be used in all kinds of dishes! What will you cook up first?
