Can I Mix Vegetable Oil and Canola Oil?
Mixing vegetable oil and canola oil can be a great way to create a more flavorful and healthier oil for cooking. Both types of oil are high in beneficial fatty acids, and both have a relatively mild flavor. However, when it comes to combining the two, it can be important to understand the differences between them.
Differences in Fatty Acids and Nutrition
Vegetable oil is usually made from a variety of plant-based oils such as corn, safflower, or sunflower oil. Canola oil is derived from a specific variety of the rapeseed plant. Both are high in polyunsaturated fats and low in saturated fats, but canola oil does have more monounsaturated fats. Additionally, canola oil has slightly more omega-3 fats, meaning it is a bit healthier for your heart.
Flavor and Smoke Point
The flavor of canola oil is slightly more pronounced than that of vegetable oil. The mild taste of vegetable oil helps to bring out the flavor of foods, while the taste of canola oil can be a bit stronger and nuttier. The smoke point of the two oils is slightly different. Canola oil has a smoke point of 400°F, while vegetable oil has a smoke point of 420°F.
Tips for Mixing the Oils
When mixing vegetable oil and canola oil, the most important factor to consider is the flavor. The more canola oil that you add to the mix, the more pronounced the flavor will be. It is best to start with equal parts of each oil, and then adjust as needed depending on the flavor you want.
Additionally, it is important to keep in mind the smoke point of the blended oil. If you add too much canola oil, the smoke point of the blended oil will be substantially lower than that of vegetable oil.
Benefits of Blending the Oils
Blending the two oils has several benefits. The blend will have a milder flavor than canola oil, but will still provide the many benefits of this healthier oil. Additionally, the smoke point of the blend will be higher than canola oil, but lower than vegetable oil, which can be a great compromise for those who don’t want to sacrifice flavor for health.
The combination of vegetable oil and canola oil is a great way to get the most out of both of these healthy oils.
Conclusion
Mixing vegetable oil and canola oil can be a great way to create a more flavorful and higher-quality cooking oil. The blend will have a milder flavor than canola oil alone, but still have the many benefits of this healthier oil. Additionally, the smoke point of the blend will be higher than canola oil, but lower than vegetable oil, which can be an ideal solution for those who do not want to sacrifice flavor for health.
