Peanut Cooking Oil

Peanut cooking oil or groundnut oil is an organic material oil extracted from peanuts which is scientifically named Arachis hypogaea. Pale yellow, golden in color, this viscous oil has a nutty aroma and taste, however, is not overpowering. Peanut cooking oil has various uses right from cooking to being used as a source of fuel for diesel engine, as an ingredient in earwax removing products, etc. In South Asian, Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine, this oil is used in large quantities just as how olive oil is used in the Mediterranean.

How is Peanut Oil Prepared
Cleaned peanuts are passed through hullers to separate them from their kernels. These kernels contain almost 50% of the oil, thus are crushed, heated and pressed in hydraulic presses. Once the clear, golden-yellow oil has been extracted, the left over press cake is given to the cattle as food. The peanut oil available in China and rest of Asia has a highly distinctive peanut taste, unlike the mild flavored one available in the West.

Peanut Oil Composition
Peanut oil consists of 57% of oleic acid and 30% of linoleic acid. Moreover, it also contains some other fatty acids like lignoceric acid, palmitic acid, arachidonic acid, arachidic acid and behenic acid. One tablespoon of peanut oil contains 2.28 grams of saturated fat, 6.24 grams of monounsaturated fat and 4.32 grams of polyunsaturated fat. Consuming one tablespoon of peanut oil a day would furnish the body with 21% of the recommended amount of total fat intake on a daily basis. As far as its calorific value goes, one tablespoon of peanut oil, which tantamounts to 15 grams, contains about 120 calories.

Shelf Life of Peanut Oil
Peanut oil needs to be stored in a tightly closed bottle and stored in a cool, dry and dark place. Never store peanut oil in the cupboard just over the stove. Refrigeration is good for oils and the less access these oils have to air, the better. Sealed bottles of peanut cooking oil can last up to a year, while the opened bottles of oils will last for 4 - 6 months. Peanut oil when refrigerated does well. It may thicken up, however, allowing it to reach room temperature will help restore its viscous, liquid consistency.

Peanut Oil for Cooking
Peanut oil is mostly used to fry foods like French fries and chicken. Since unrefined peanut oil has a smoke point of 320 degree Fahrenheit, which is higher than the smoke points of other oils. Smoking point is the point at which the oil begins to burn and give off smoke. Thus, peanut oil is a good choice for deep fat frying and sautéing. It is often used to deep-fry turkeys at thanksgiving. The oil can also be added to salads, wherein it adds flavor and character to the dish.

Besides this cooking benefit, peanut oil is quite healthy. Often we need to check the oil used in cooking, if we want to reduce the risks of heart diseases. We all know that olive oil is a very healthy oil, however, its low smoking point makes it impossible to be used for deep-frying foods. Moreover, since peanut oil is high in saturated fats which when heated at normal temperatures does not turn to trans fatty acids, it is better off than other cooking oils. However, this doesn't mean we can use as much as peanut oil as we desire. The negative effect of using this oil according to recent research conducted is that it increases the plaque deposition in the arteries. So excess consumption and cooking with peanut oil is not good for the heart.

Peanut cooking oil should not be consumed by people with peanut allergies. However, since the peanut oil available in the US is highly refined and mild, foods prepared in peanut oil does not trigger allergic reactions. However, keep away from food items fried in peanut oil and refrain from eating anything prepared in this oil if you are visiting a country that uses the less refined version of peanut oil.