Looking to Take Your Cooking to the Next Level Try Organic Oils

1. LOOKING TO TAKE YOUR COOKING TO THE NEXT LEVEL? TRY ORGANIC OILS There are many ways that we can create flavour-rich dishes. One of them is by choosing to cook with organic oils and food products. Organic products are good for both our health and the environment. What's more, they taste great! Given that oil is one of our most frequently used kitchen ingredients, opting for an organic product is an easy way that you can take care of yourself and the natural world. HISTORY OF OIL Cooking oil is a product derived from either animal, plant, or synthetic fat. It is used in many different types of ways to cook, fry, bake, or roast food. In addition to helping the cooking process, many recipes call on the inclusion of oil to add taste and texture — salad dressings, for example, often require the addition of olive oil. The exact origins of oil is unknown, but it is believed that humans have been using the product for thousands of years. People across the globe used different food sources to create oil, depending on what produce they had at hand. These days, supermarket shoppers are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a preferred oil option. Whilst most oils exist in a liquid state — including olive oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil — others are in fact a solid substance. Coconut oil, palm oil, and palm kernel oil all exist as a solid at room temperature, due to their high percentage of concentrated fats. The production process to create oil differs depending on the source ingredient. Generally speaking, the seed (whether it be an olive, soybean, or corn kernel) is stripped and cleaned. Seeds are then crushed and pressed using a hot metal plate. Once the oil has been extracted, it is refined, “degummed”, bleached, and deodorized before being packaged and distributed. WHAT OILS ARE ORGANIC? To answer this question, we first need to understand the definition of organic. Organic food is produce that has been grown (or, in the case of meat, raised) in strict conditions. These conditions — which typically include limiting the use of pesticides and GMOs — are designed to promote sustainability and the long-term preservation of agricultural areas. As such, oils that are organic are those in which the core ingredient has been grown in organic conditions. Organic olive oil, for example, is made from olives that have been grown in pesticide free soil by farmers who are focused on factors such as soil quality and the conservation of land and water. By this definition, most oil products can be organic — but not all are. Always read labels carefully and do your research if you are wanting to enjoy an organic diet. BENEFITS OF GOING ORGANIC There are many reasons why increasing numbers of consumers are opting to follow an organic diet. Aside from having confidence that your food is free from nasty pesticides and artificial fertilisers, many people believe that organic produce simply tastes better. Purchasing organic products also shows a commitment to sustainability and the protection of the environment. Organic oils tend to be grown locally, has a smaller carbon footprint, and is often sold by small businesses who can certainly do with our support. Source: https://spiralfoods.com.au/