Where do they get Vegetable Oil?
Vegetable oil is an important edible oil used in cooking, and it’s found in thousands of products including margarine, salad dressing and mayonnaise. but have you ever wondered where it comes from?
What Makes up Vegetable Oil?
Vegetable oil is made up of a mixture of edible oils, which usually include:
- Soybean oil
- Canola oil
- Corn oil
- Sunflower oil
- Cottonseed oil
- Rice bran oil
These oils are all derived from plants, hence the name “vegetable” oil. Some may also contain other plant components such as lecithin or tocopherols which act as stabilisers.
Where do these Oils Come from?
These edible oils are derived from the seeds, nuts, or fruits of various plants.
- Soybean Oil is usually extracted from the seeds of the soya plant.
- Canola Oil is extracted from a variety of rapeseed plants.
- Corn Oil is usually derived from the germ of corn (maize), a grain crop of the grass species Zea mays.
- Sunflower Oil is usually extracted from the seeds of the sunflower, a large daisy-like flower.
- Cottonseed Oil is extracted from the seeds of the cotton plant.
- Rice Bran Oil is extracted from the outer layer of the rice grain.
The extracted oils are then processed to create edible vegetable oil. The processing involves heating and filtering the oil to remove any impurities.
Conclusion
Vegetable oil is a popular ingredient in many foods and is made up of a blend of various edible oils derived from plants such as soybeans, canola, corn, sunflowers and cottonseed. The oil is extracted from the seeds, nuts or fruits of these plants and is then processed to create a pure cooking oil.
