How to Understand the Benefits of Organic Grapeseed Oil

If you haven't tried organic grapeseed oil for cooking, you're missing out on a healthy and versatile alternative. Here's why you'll want to add this oil to your cabinet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. When it comes to choosing a healthy oil for the purpose of cooking, several choices probably come to mind. Olive oil is known to be heart healthy oil due to its antioxidants and high concentration of monounsaturated fats, but it has a relatively low smoke point, making it a poor choice for recipes that require high heat. Canola oil, also high in monounsaturates, is another good choice that can readily withstand high temperature cooking. But there’s another healthy oil out there that’s often forgotten when it comes to cooking options and that’s organic grapeseed oil. What are the health benefits of grapeseed oil and why should you consider using it as a cooking oil?

2. The health benefits of grapeseed oil make it a versatile and guilt free choice when it comes to a cooking oil. Although not as high in monounsaturated fat as olive oil, it has a higher concentration of these “heart healthy” fats than most other forms of oil. Even more importantly, a 1993 study showed that an ounce and a half of grapeseed oil per day decreased LDL cholesterol by seven percent and raised HDL cholesterol by thirteen percent. As you know, HDL cholesterol is the good cholesterol, so you want the number to be high.

3. Because of its high smoke point, organic grapeseed oil is a versatile cooking oil. It’s the perfect oil for sautéing at high temperatures and for cooking popcorn on the stove or grilling meat where a high heat is required. The smoke point of grapeseed oil is around 485 degrees Farenheit in comparison to olive oil which smokes at about 250 degrees Farenheit. You only need about a third to a half of the amount of oil when you cook with grapeseed oil when compared to other oils. This makes it quite economical.

4. If you’re accustomed to the rich taste of olive oil, grapeseed oil may seem blander, almost neutral with slight nutty undertones. This can be an advantage in recipes where you want the texture of fat without the overbearing taste of an oil with strong flavor. In applications where you want a more outspoken oil adding herbs and spices can give additional flavor impact.

5. When choosing a grapeseed oil, select one that has no synthetic preservatives such as BHT. Grapeseed oil is naturally high in vitamin E which has natural preservative properties. Organic grapeseed oil can be found in most natural food markets and many mainstream grocery stores or ordered online.

6. If you’re looking for a healthy cooking oil, organic grapeseed oil is one you’ll want to consider both for its health properties as well as its amazing versatility.

[Wasatch]

on 2/12/2009 Tried this (grape seed oil) last year. I love the flavor. I use it anywhere I use olive oil.

[jenkinr]

on 2/7/2009 You are always so informative. I didn't know about organic Grapeseed oil. I'm going to try it and I like the tip about how to uses spices with it to add flavor. 5*

[goodselfme]

on 2/7/2009 Thank you I always learn from you. 5*