Edible Cooking Oils or Indian Cuisine
Did you know that Indian cuisine is one of the world’s most diverse cuisines? Consisting of a wide and sophisticated assortment of dishes, Indian cuisine is vast as it reflects the demographics of India. Punjabi cuisine, Mughlai cuisine, Bengali cuisine, Goan cuisine, Gujrati cuisine and Kashmiri cuisine are to name a few. Food has played a major role in India’s diverse subcontinent and therefore it changes with every region.
Due to this diversity, it’s quite impractical to assume that every region uses the same edible oil for its cuisines. Therefore, it’s quite safe to say that these various cuisines use different healthy cooking oils that are produced in India. The same way cuisines and edible oils used differ from one region to another, so do the spices. The combination of spices used is one of the primary ingredients that make or break the dish.
Indian dishes are packed with a fusion of flavors due to the spices used. It is important to understand that the oil used plays a part in releasing these flavors and aromas. For instance, spices cooked in Kachi Ghani mustard oil release a very different aroma when compared to ghee. Hence, knowing which oil to cook your dish in is important.
Mentioned Below are Some of the Healthy Cooking Oils Used in Indian Cuisine
- Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil
Extracted from the seeds of the mustard plant, this oil is widely used in eastern parts of India. It is rich in omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and alpha-linolenic acid which helps maintain cholesterol levels. Mustard oil has a rich aroma that is pungent and spicy. It adds immense flavours to a dish and is perfect for making achars and tadkas. - Refined Soybean Oil
Soybean oil is popular for cooking in all parts of India and it is particularly used for frying and baking. Extracted from soybean seeds, this oil has a high smoke point and can therefore be used for a variety of dishes. Soybean oil is rich in vitamins E and it nurtures immunity. - Refined Sunflower Oil
Rich in omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, sunflower oil is good for cooking dishes where you want subtle flavours to stand out. It contains a slightly nutty flavour and is ideally used for sauteing, stir-frying, deep-frying and baking. It is also rich in linoleic acid and tocopherol which is a natural antioxidant. - Physically Refined Rice Bran Oil
Another oil that is used in Indian cuisines because of its high smoke point is rice bran oil. It is a versatile healthy cooking oil that is used in India for deep frying and baking. It has a neutral flavour making it ideal for a large variety of dishes across different Indian cuisines. Physically Refined Rice Bran Oil also contains natural antioxidants such as Oryzanol, Tocopherols and Tocotrienols. These antioxidants are essential for the human bodies overall well being. - Coconut Oil
The southern states of India love indulging in coconut oil and almost every South Indian cuisine includes this oil. Coconut oil has a subtle yet distinct flavour that goes extremely well with South Indian dishes. It is used for cooking the spices and ingredients and it is also used raw as a finishing oil. - Ghee
Ghee, also known as “liquid gold” is an ancient ingredient that has been a part of Indian cuisine. It is similar to butter and it has a grainy texture along with a nutty aroma. The flavour of Ghee leaves a pleasant taste on the palate and it goes well with a variety of Indian dishes. It can be brushed over warm rotis and parathas or it can be drizzled over piping hot rice.
Now that you are aware of some of the popular healthy cooking oils used in India, use them in your daily diet. Cook up a variety of dishes across the Indian cuisine with Doctors Choice range of oils. After all, Doctors Choice brings together the heavenly combination of health and taste.
