Here are the Similarities and Differences of Vegetable Oil and Canola Oil
Is vegetable oil the same as canola oil? “Vegetable oil” is more of a blanket statement for any oil that comes from plants, and one of those plant-based oils is canola oil. Other oils in the vegetable category are oils made from avocado, corn, safflower, peanuts, soybean, sunflower, and olives. The catch is, when an oil is labeled as “vegetable oil,” it’s most of the time going to be corn or soybean oil, or a hybrid of a two or more plant oils. Both canola and general vegetable oil are typically inexpensive and great for baking, cooking, and frying because of their neutral flavor and high smoke point. Here are a few things to know about these oils:
- Canola oil is made from the canola plant, which is a crossbred of the rapeseed plant. This cross breeding took place in the 1960s/70s in Canada with the goal to minimize two key components of rapeseed: glucosinolates and erucic acid, the second of which can lead to heart problems when consumed in high doses. Pure rapeseed oil contains 43% erucic acid, whereas canola oil contains under 2%, making it safe for human consumption.
- Canola oil is generally believed to be a healthier option than vegetable oil because it is lower in saturated fat.
- Canola oil and walnut oil are two of the few oils that are rich in omega-3 fat ALA—and research shows it may help lower total and "bad" LDL cholesterol.
- Both vegetable oil and canola oil have a relatively high smoke point: canola oil is 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and vegetable oil (aka corn or soybean oil for this purpose) is at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The nutritional benefits of vegetable oil varies based on what plant oils it is made out of.
- Vegetable oil can be substituted for canola oil when a recipe calls for it, and vice versa.
- Both oils should be stored in a dark, cool place.
- Any oil needs to be filtered properly if it’s being reused for frying.
No matter what oil you use for frying at your restaurant, FreshFry Pods will help filter and extend the life and quality of your oil. Find out more here.
