July 26, 2021
Why to Use Tea Seed Oil for Cooking
All about tea seed oil including how I use it in cooking, why it is a good choice for cooking and the benefit of its high smoke point.
Tea Seed Oil for Cooking
I recently learned all about tea seed oil for cooking and today, I want to share all about how to use tea seed oil for cooking, why you need it in your kitchen and some recipe ideas that tea seed oil would be perfect for! Tea seed oil would be great for Asian style recipes which is why I included a lot of Asian-style recipes ideas in this post. I plan to start cooking more with tea seed oil soon and can't wait to share the recipes that I come up with.
What is Tea Seed Oil
Tea seed oil is cold pressed from the seeds of Camellia oleifera which is a flowering plant. The seeds are pressed to make the tea seed oil. Each bottle of Tea Seed Oil takes 8 years to produce, from seed to harvest to cold-press. The tea seed oil has more omega-3 fatty acids than olive oil. I love cooking with olive oil but the flavor can be pretty strong for some recipes which is why an alternative such as tea seed oil with a light and subtle taste is helpful for some dishes.
Why to Use Tea Seed Oil for Cooking
Tea seed oil can be a great choice for stir-fry dishes because it has one of the highest smoke points of any edible oil. It is cholesterol free with no trans fats. It is high in antioxidants called catechins which are similar to green tea which can help to lower blood pressure and promote vascular health. Tea seed oil has vitamin E, vitamin A as well as B vitamins. Pairing this nutrient-packed oil with delicious vegetables and lean proteins makes for a wonderful meal.
Tea Seed Oil's High Smoke Point
Tea seed oil has an extremely high smoke point of 485 degrees Fahrenheit. Smoke point is the temperature that it takes for oil to smoke or essentially, burn and break down. Because tea seed oil has a high smoke point, it means that it takes much longer for it to go rancid. I like that it can last longer than other oils.
It is a versatile oil and can be used in baking, sautéing and frying. It has a light and subtle taste compared to other oils which is why you can use it in dishes such as baking dishes where you don't want to taste the oil. It has a flavor similar to grapeseed oil with a slight nutty flavor. It is wonderful in Asian recipes since most stir-fry recipes are cooked at a very hot temperature. I think that it would be great used in banana bread or other baking recipes where a light flavored oil is needed.
Where to Buy Tea Seed Oil
You can find tea seed oil on Amazon.
What Recipes to Use Tea Seed Oil For
One of my favorite kinds of food to make are Asian-style meals! They are so quick to make- usually about 20 minutes or less and my entire family loves them.
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