Description

Corn oil is edible oil extracted from the seeds (kernels) of corn (maize). It is mild, medium-yellow colored and neutral or bland in taste. By removing free fatty acids and phospholipids from crude corn oil, the oil refining process gives corn oil one of the qualities consumers value most: its excellent frying quality and resistance to smoking or discoloration.
It also has a pleasant taste and resists developing off-flavors .Its main use is in cooking, where its high smoke point (temperature at which the oil in the pan will produce smoke )makes refined corn oil a valuable frying oil. It is also a key ingredient in some margarines. Corn oil has a milder taste and is less expensive than most other types of vegetable oils.

How to select

Most manufactured corn oil is sold bottled for cooking use. Look out for a light golden colored oil which should be free from any discoloration, cloudiness or granules.

Culinary uses

· Since corn oil is almost tasteless and odorless, it is a good choice for baking. It is widely used as a salad oil and it is also the main ingredient in the production of margarine
· The main use of corn oil is in cooking, where its high smoke point makes refined corn oil valuable frying oil. Corn oil is suitable for use as an ingredient in all recipes which require deep frying.
· Corn oil may also be used to prepare mayonnaise, salad dressings, sautéing vegetables or applying on chicken or fish before grilling.
· Snacks, baking mixes, frosting, whipped toppings, and crumb coatings for meat and poultry account for few other culinary uses of corn oil.

How to store

Store the corn oil in a cool and dark place. Avoid re using the left over oil from deep frying as reheating oil again and again may affect the chemical composition and rancidity quotient of the oil. Unopened bottles, or metal containers, can be kept for about a year. Once they've been opened, though, they should be used within 2 months, after which, they can turn rancid (bad) and shouldn't be consumed. If possible, transfer the oil from a can into a glass bottle to avoid metallic tasting oil; plastic containers shouldn't be used because they may lend off a "plastic" taste to the oil.

Health benefits

· Corn Oil, healthy palatable food oil, can play a major role in the human diet.
· It is a concentrated source of energy, is very digestible provides essential fatty acids and is a rich source of Vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may help regulate blood cholesterol.
· Corn oil is high in polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats so it is healthier to use than oils with higher saturated fat levels.
· Corn oil contains very little cholesterol. It's fatty acid content is 13% saturated, 62% polyunsaturated, and 25% monounsaturated.