Also known as

Surajmukhi Ka Tel

Description

Sunflower oil is edible oil extracted from the seeds (kernels) of sunflower plant. 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 the 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 sunflower oil a valuable frying oil. There are several types of sunflower oils produced, such as high linoleic, high oleic and mid oleic. The sunflower oil has a milder taste and is less expensive than most other types of vegetable oils.

How to select

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

Culinary uses

" Since sunflower oil is almost tasteless and odorless, it is a good choice for baking.
" The main use of sunflower oil is in cooking, where its high smoke point makes refined corn oil valuable frying oil. This oil is suitable for use as an ingredient in all recipes which require deep frying.
" Sunflower 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 sunflower oil.

How to store

Store the sunflower 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

" Sunflower 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.
" Linoleic sunflower oil is a common cooking oil that has high levels of the essential fatty acids called polyunsaturated fat. It is also known for having a clean taste and low levels of trans fat.Sunflower oil contains very little cholesterol.
" Sunflower oil, like other oils, can retain moisture in the skin. It may also provide a protective barrier that resists infection in pre-term infants.