Types of Oils

Oil is known as the fatty and liquid substance obtained from the treatment of certain fruits and seeds such as almonds and coconuts. It is also obtained from certain animals such as the seal and the whale, and from the pressing of olives.

During the production of oils, glycerin is used to esterify them, where depending on the type of fatty acid it contains, it will depend on how the oil will be if less or more drying.

Of all the types of oils, the most common are those used for cooking, of which olive oil stands out, as it offers many benefits to the person’s health.

Oils are not soluble in water, so they can never be mixed unless other ingredients are added.

How Many Types of Oils are there?

Depending on their origin, oils can be classified as:

Animal fats

It refers to the type of oil that is obtained from the adipose deposits of certain animals, such as the case of the pig from which lard is obtained, butter is also obtained, and certain marine oils are obtained, such as the one containing omega 3.

Vegetable fats

It is the oil that in order to obtain, certain procedures are used to extract the juice from certain seeds and fruits, and prepare it to obtain the oil, as is the case with coconut butter, palm butter, and cocoa butter.

Depending on the characteristics of the oil, you can find two types of oils, these are:

Virgin Oils

It is made with the cold pressing of certain fruits and seeds, where they are exposed to a temperature of 27 degrees Celsius; In turn, it can go through a centrifugation process using about 3,200 revolutions per minute, and then it proceeds with filtration.

A perfect example of this type of oil is olive oil, which is marketed without going through a chemical refining process. This is shown as the pure juice of the olives which are treated through mechanical means. This type of oil is much more acidic and pure.

Refined Oils

They are the oils that are obtained through certain chemical processes and are then deodorized. This type of oil is always clean and with a basic color, and its conservation is perfect.

Depending on the amount of iodine that the oil contains, it will be less or more drying, three types of oils can be found, these are

Drying Oils

These types of oils have a large number of fatty acids that are not saturated, which have a very bright and resistant film when polymerized through oxygen in the air. These have an amount of iodine that amounts to 140. Example: dehydrated Castor oil, Wood oil, Linseed oil, Safflower oil, etc.

semi-drying oils

These oils have an amount of iodine between 110 and 140, of which Rapeseed oil and refined Soybean oil are found.

Non-drying oils.

These oils keep the amount of iodine below 110. Of these, pure Castor oil and Orujo oil stand out.

Other types of oils

petroleum oils

Indicates the oils obtained from petroleum, these oils are used to lubricate and operate certain machinery and mechanical equipment. These are very polluting, so when using them, the person must have good protection.

Corn, sunflower, and soybean oils

It refers to the oil that is consumed raw due to its poor resistance to heat. It has a large number of polyunsaturated fats. This does not have cholesterol like the other types of vegetable oils, however, if they are brought to heat, these characteristics lose it, becoming saturated, giving rise to an increase in cholesterol.

Cottonseed oil

It is the oil obtained from the seeds of the plant that bears its name. This is characterized by its dark color, its flavor, and its smell; which loses a little of its purity at the time of being refined. It has a high content of linoleic acid and palmitic acid. This is used to make margarine.

Peanut oil

This type of oil is obtained from the Arachis Hypogea plant. It has a different composition in terms of fatty acids, which is influenced by its origin. It has a high content of linoleic oil and oleic acid. It is very expensive, which is why it is not constantly used in the kitchen.

Safflower oil

It is very expensive and contains 80 percent linoleic acid.

Palm oil

This is obtained from the seed and fruit of the palm tree. It contains more than 50 percent of saturated fatty acids, so its consumption must be careful since it can increase cholesterol.

Olive oil

This oil is one of the most consumed, it is obtained from olives or matured olives. It contains a large amount of monounsaturated fatty acids. Of these, several types stand out, such as:

virgin olive oils

Olive oil.

Refined olive oil.

Crude olive pomace oil.

Refined olive pomace oil.

Mixed Oil

This is the type of oil that is obtained by mixing refined olive oil and virgin olive oil. This type of oil has a large number of polyunsaturated acids which are perfect when cooking since they are not consumed by heat.