Peanut Oil

Peanut oil is the oil that is extracted from peanuts. Various methods can be used to extract the oil. This is used in cooking as well as non-edible commercial purposes. It is available in various forms, such as – unrefined, refined, double refined, roasted varieties and cold pressed. It is a very healthy medium of cooking oil. Care needs to be taken while buying this oil because sometimes it is also mixed with other cheap oils. To know the qualities, uses, properties, benefits, side effects and every other minute details of this oil please read the following article.

Peanut Oil

Table of Contents

Table Of Content

Table of Contents

Description

The nutritious and beneficial peanut oil is not only healthy but also tasty. Find out its physical description below.

Color: It is amber yellow colored.

Density: It is mildly thick but without the sticky factor.

Taste: This oil has a sweet, nutty flavor of its own, owing to its origin.

Smell: It oozes a sweetish earthy fragrance.

Distribution

Peanut oil is available all over the world in all major departmental stores, after bearing its origin in South America. But this oil finds its use majorly in Chinese, Southeast Asian and South Asian cuisines.

Picture 1 – Peanut Oil

Properties

The primary fatty acid properties of peanut oil are

Oleic acid
Linoleic acid
Palmitic acid
Stearic acid
Arachidic acid
Arachidonic acid
Behenic acid
Lignoceric acid

Smoke Point

According to the data shared by USDA smoke point of per 100 gm of peanut oil is at 225 degree C. or 446 degree F.

Origin &History

During the World War II peanut oil became popular in USA. Other vegetable oils were scarce that time and thus this oil came into vogue.

Edibility

This oil is used in cooking. It is also eaten raw in salads.

Storage

Peanut oil should be stored in air tight container and kept in some dark, cool and moisture-free place. Freshness of the oil increases if these conditions are maintained properly.

Shelf Life

Peanut oil usually has a shelf life 6 months, even if not taken proper care of. But it can last up to 9 to 12 months if the storage condition is under good care.

Extraction

Though peanut oil is usually not made at home but still it can be made if the right ways of extracting the oil are known.

One pound of unsalted peanuts need to be grounded as coarse as sand into food processor.
Put the grounded peanut into a shallow glass dish or bowl.
Pour about 4 cups of water into that dish or bowl.
Cover the dish with a plastic sheet.
Keep the bowl undisturbed overnight.
Next morning, the peanut oil will be seen floating on water surface in the bowl.
Carefully tilt the dish and pout he oil off the mixture into a separate jar.

Nutritional Facts

Let us find out the nutrition content in every 100 gm of peanut oil.

Nutrient	Amount
Energy	884 Kcal
Protein	0 g
Carbohydrate	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Total fat	100 g
Dietary fiber	0 g
Vitamin A	0 IU
Vitamin K	0.7 µg
Vitamin E	815.69 mg
Vitamin C	0
Thiamin	0 mg
Riboflavin	0 mg
Pyridoxine	0 mg
Pantothenic acid	0 mg
Niacin	0 mg
Folates	0 µg
Potassium	0 mg
Sodium	0 mg
Zinc	0.01 mg
Selenium	0 µg
Phosphorus	0 mg
Manganese	0 mg
Iron	0.03 mg
Copper	0 mg
Calcium	0 mg
Phytosterols	207 mg
Lutein-zeaxanthin	0 µg
Crypto-xanthin-ß	0 µg
Carotene-ß	0 µg
Mangnesium	0 mg

Health Benefits

Peanut oil not only adds a little wonder to the taste buds but also serves the health better. Find out how is this oil beneficial for our health.

It is comparatively quite low in saturated fats.
This oil has no cholesterol.
It contains majority essential fatty acids so it is very healthy.
This oil is a brilliant source of plant sterols for being a vegetable oil. These phyto-sterols curb the cholesterol absorption, in turn lowering cholesterol level.
The oil claims high calories.
The high content of healthy fatty acids in this oil decreases bad cholesterol from the blood and increases good cholesterol in it.
The monosaturated fatty acids present in this oil helps preventing coronary artery ailments.
Consumption of this oil also prevents stroke risks.
This oil has resveratrol. This is an anti oxidant property. This helps in prevention of cancer.
Properties of this oil protects against degenerative nerve disorders.
The oil prevents Alzheimer’s disease.
Properties of this oil also offer protection against fungal and viral infections.
Resveratrol present in this oil increases creation of vasodilator hormone and thus alters molecular mechanism inside the blood vessels.
Peanut oil is rich in vitamin E thus containing lot of anti oxidants.
Properties of this oil protect the skin and other cell membranes from oxygen free radicals that are harmful for the body.
Consumption of this oil cures decreasing appetite.
It cures arthritis pain when massaged on joints.
Applying this oil on the rectum cures constipation.
Since the smoke point of this oil is at very high temperature thus even the deep fried foods in this oil retain much less oil amount, making the overall oil consumption much lesser than other oils.
Scalp crusting, dry skin and scaling can be treated by massaging peanut oil on the skin.

Recipe

This oil is widely used in cooking around the globe in many cuisines and forms.

Deep frying snacking times.
Cooking nutritionist suggested dishes for its healthy contents.
Dressing vegetable or legume salads.
Cooking clinical diet meals for its high smoking point and less absorption in food.
Brushing the trays and moulds of cakes, cookies and many other baked items.
It is also brushed while roasting foods.
This oil is added to flavor food items.

Allergies & Side Effects

Though peanut oil is one of the healthiest medium of cooking oil but still it might have a few negative effects on some people. In case of any allergies or inconveniences due to oral or any other way of consumption of this oil, immediate medical attention is suggested.

People who are allergic to peanuts or any other kinds of nuts should strictly avoid consuming this oil in any form.
This oil should be avoided by those who are allergic to soya.
Those who have any medical history regarding any of the properties of this oil should avoid its consumption.
In general also amount of oral consumption of the oil should be limited.
People whose skin is allergic to vegetable oils should avoid any kind of skin interaction with this oil as well.
All the medicated products that contain this oil should be internally and externally avoided by those who have previously experienced inconveniences due to direct or indirect interaction with this oil.

During Pregnancy

Unless the expecting woman is not allergic to peanut or any other kinds of nuts, it is perfectly safe for them to consume peanut oil during their pregnancy and nursing period.

But doctor’s advice is strongly suggested before consuming it or if starting to consume it during this period for its health benefits.
Picture 2 – Peanut Oil Image

Uses

Peanut oil is a popular medium of cooking oil due to its health benefits. Apart from being used in cooking this oil finds its purpose in many other ways to human life.

Edible Uses

It is widely and more often used for deep frying foods.
It is used as cooking oil.
The oil is also used in dressing salads.

Medicinal Uses

Arthritis patients are prescribed to massage the joints with this oil.
Medicated personal care products use peanut oil in their composition.
It is consumed as kitchen medicinal remedy while going through loss of appetite.
It cures constipation if applied on the rectum.

Other Uses

This oil is used as a biodiesel.
Peanut oil is mixed with many dyes to make the consistency thicker and used on many bases.
Apart from medicated personal care products even many of the general beauty care products are based on this oil.
The acids present in this oil can replace those ones that are used in nitroglycerin formulation. Thus under lab conditions the extracts of this oil can be used as explosives.
The oil can be used in making grease.

Substitutes

Peanut oil is one of the less fat containing vegetable oils. It can be substituted with soy oil or olive oil.

Peanut Oil Vs Olive Oil

Basic difference between peanut oil and olive oil are given below.

Smoke point of olive oil is 190 degree C whereas that of peanut oil is 225 degree C.
Peanut oil is golden colored and olive oil is green in color.
Olive oil dates its popularity and use back to as early as 8^th millennium BC. Whereas, peanut oil came into vogue since the World War II.
Peanut oil is often substituted by olive oil and vice-versa. But the original taste of each of the oils cannot substitute each other.

Interesting Facts

Read some of the lesser noticed fun and interesting facts about peanut oil.

Though the oil gained its popularity in the USA during war time but it is more widely used in Asian cuisines.
Being a vegetable oil it is definitely very healthy but the best thing about this oil is its high smoke point which allows the food cooked in it to absorb less oil.
The acids containing in this oil can be used as explosives after undergoing lab treatments.
Peanut oil is even healthier than olive oil because of the higher smoke point.