There are so many types of frying oils out there. There are many brands and each of them has their own formula of ingredients. So how do you identify good quality sunflower oil?
First of all, check the label for the ingredients. Good quality cooking oil will be low in saturated fats and will have a high level of polyunsaturated fats. This balance of saturated and polyunsaturated fats is beneficial for your health. Your body requires a certain level of each type of fat which acts as fuel to sustain your energy levels throughout the day. Another key factor in good quality oil is that it will have little to no cholesterol. In this day and age that we live in, so much of our foods contain unbelievable amounts of cholesterol. This means that you need to use ingredients with no cholesterol to balance your daily food intake so that you can minimise the risk of heart disease.
More ingredients to check for are Anti-foam and Antioxidants. Anti-foam reduces or prevents the excessive foam that occurs during the oil frying process. Antioxidants will increase the life of the cooking oil which makes it safe and healthy to use even after a certain length of time. Always check the expiration date of the oil before using it though.
Sunflower oil naturally has a high heat threshold meaning that even at high temperatures it remains stable. In other words, its goodness is not compromised when it gets to a high level of heat. The ingredients will not be affected by the heat.
Other physical attributes to check in terms of the quality of your sunflower oil are the colour and the odour of the oil. It should have a light golden yellow and translucent colour. It should not be cloudy or foamy. The clarity of the oil is very important. There should be no flakes or bits of any kind in the oil. It should be a smooth and fluid consistency. For this very reason, it’s best not to reuse oil. These benefits are nullified once the oil has been used and can affect your health negatively. Fresh oil is always best.
You will find that most sunflower oil manufacturers take great care in providing you with a good quality product and will ensure that all the health and safety standards are met. But as the consumer, you need to know what is inside a good quality cooking oil. You need to be informed so that you are able to make the best decision for yourself and your family.