Can happy taste buds lift your mood? Good food can make everything right especially if it’s fried. Know about the 10 Best Cooking Oils In India.
Indians are known for their wide variety of cuisines. Our delicacies are different from that of the West. We choose to sprinkle our spices and consume flavour that makes us happy. Cooking oils are essential ingredients in our food recipes, and it’s only wise to know the best kind.
10 Best Cooking Oils In India in 2024!
Most health issues come with the oil used in our Kitchen. So, that’s why we have decided to pick up the cooking oil brands currently available in 2024. Here is what you need to know!
Borges Canola Oil
Borges is a Mediterranean-based company. The Pont Creus family first started it as a small business, and then they flourished worldwide. It began in 1896 and is committed to their business even today.
Borges Canola oil is high in Omega-3. It is beneficial for health. It has zero cholesterol and the lowest saturated fats from refined oils like rice bran, sunflower, and groundnut. It is exclusively a vegetarian product.
It helps the brain function well and lowers bad cholesterol. Borges Canola Oil blends in with all kinds of food and gives a fine texture. It is easy to cook with and tastes terrific. If you are a person who loves his oils highly refined, this is the perfect oil for your kitchen.
It contains a variety of rapeseed extractions, is low in erucic acid, and reduces skin problems. We understand acne’s pain, blemishes, and spots showing up immediately after consumption of oily food. If Canola oil can help prevent that, why wait? Regular consumption of this oil can cause weight gain. There are cons to every oil, so we have to learn about our oils.
Pros
- It has zero cholesterol.
- High Omega-3.
- Low saturated acids.
Cons
- The high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids causes an imbalance in the diet.
- This oil becomes foul-smelling when subjected to oxygen and high temperatures.
2. Saffola Active Oil:
Marcio Limited operates in beauty and health products. Their Indian business holder brand, among many, is Saffola. It contains refined edible oils and vegetable oils in different ratios.
Saffola Active oil is o0% refined rice bran oil and 20% refined soyabean oil. It provides Omega-3 and Oryzanol. Saffola Active oil. It helps reduce inflammation, band body fat and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, lowers bad cholesterol, develops brain function, boosts the immune system, and has dual seed technology. It gives you a combined taste of two different oils.
Saffola Active has received many positive reviews to make the food light and not absorb too much fat. Sometimes we eat oily food and feel very heavy and uneasy. It is because some oils are heavy and get absorbed into the food thoroughly. This oil is light and gives your body steady comfort. It is essential that after having a meal, the person can feel energized and productive.
Pros
- Low cholesterol.
- Reduce inflammation.
- It boosts the immune system.
Cons
- It lacks the ratio between Omega-6 and Omega-3. It is not in a balanced proportion.
3. Fortune Rice Bran Health Oil
Adani Wilmar Limited, a joint venture of Wilmar International Limited (Singapore) and Adani Enterprises Limited contributes towards a healthier nation. This company introduced the first diabetic oil, Vivo.
It contains the goodness of Gamma Oryzanol. It reduces bad cholesterol and is rich in vitamins A, D, and E. Fortune Rice Bran Oil reduces harmful oxidants. It is a vegetarian product and can be used by all. It is a perfect balance of Polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids. Rice bran oils improve insulin resistance and are suitable for type-2 diabetes.
It is anti-inflammatory. This oil reduces heart risk by lowering cholesterol. Many people are suffering from heart disease and do not know which oil to use. They are scared and avoid oil altogether. Minimum usage of fat in food is required because they contain fatty acids needed in our diet.
It is essential to know which oil to use for your benefit. One should consider getting the goodness of this type of oil if they have a history of a heart condition in their family. It is always a safer alternative to take precautions and eat healthily.
Pros
- It contains Oryzanol.
- It reduces cholesterol.
- It also reduces heart risk.
Cons
- Excessive intake can cause stomach discomfort, unpredictable intestinal gas, and bowel movements.
4. Adhar Refined Sunflower Oil
It contains Vitamin E, A, and D. It has antioxidants that protect the skin, the goodness of the Omega-6. Adhar refined sunflower oil is healthy and makes the food very tasty. It helps lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, provides skin nourishment, reduces cholesterol levels, reduces blood pressure, and improves brain function. It is a light oil that you can use extensively.
It is the best choice for hardworking people. Our work takes a lot of our time and energy, exposing us to stress. We should use oil to improve our brain function and ensure a decline in blood pressure to balance our diet.
Pros
- It keeps our skin healthy.
- It is easily digestible.
- It reduces blood pressure.
Cons
- It has Polyunsaturated high acid, so it is advisable not to use it at high temperatures.
5. Disano Extra Light Olive Oil
In 2013, Disano started its journey as a stand-alone brand with various ranges.
It contains the goodness of High-Quality Spanish Olives. Indian cooking is mostly famous for spices and their riches. Roasting, frying, and cooking at a high temperature is prevalent. Such oil has zero cholesterol and is healthy for us.
Disano has a light aroma and flavour. This type of cooking oil is suitable for Indian recipes. Olive oil reduces the risk of chronic diseases. It is best to cook in olive oil with low heating.
We can not expect to cook all our meals with the same oil. The low-heating cuisines are healthy and super tasty and require a more subtle texture. Disano offers us just that. The Spanish olives sound so sophisticated that we imagine enjoying our luxurious homemade food with low-heated oil, red sauce pasta, or a chicken Caesar salad.
Pros
- Zero cholesterol.
- It reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
- One can use it for high-temperature cooking.
Cons
- Excess can cause nausea in some people.
6. Sundrop Superlite Advanced
Sundrop started in 1989. It’s essentially Agro-based limited. It has high-quality Vitamin E. Sundrop oil is extracted from sunflowers. It helps reduce cholesterol. Saturated fats lead to heart diseases; this oil has less saturated fats.
It is suitable for heart patients. Diabetic patients, however, should be careful because it may increase their sugar levels. Sundrop Superlite absorbs less oil and makes the food super light.
The smell of this oil is very soothing. It blends well with all kinds of food. It is light and does not feel uncomfortable. Sometimes, after eating oily food, one feels exhausted and heavy. Those oils make you sick and unproductive. On the other hand, this oil gives the best quality, refined oil.
Pros
- Low saturated fats.
- It has high-quality vitamin E.
- It is suited for heart patients and diabetic patients.
Cons
- It can cause inflammation in the body if heated to a higher temperature.
7. Dhara Health Refined Sunflower Oil
Dhara Health Refined Sunflower Oil
Mother Dairy Food and Vegetable Private Limited is an Indian-based food processing company.
Dhara is a brand that is known for its purity. It has less saturated fats and reduces bad cholesterol. Sunflower oil is suitable for all-purpose cooking. It has high Vitamin A and D2, healthy Polyunsaturated fatty acids, and comes with the goodness of low absorb technology. It contains a high amount of Omega-6.
Sunflower oils are good for cancer patients and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Dhara has been a good brand for a long time and is known all over the country. It has antioxidants that can help protect the skin from free radicals and adverse effects of the sun.
Pros
- It has low saturated fats.
- High omega-3.
- It has antioxidants.
Cons
- It has a low heating point, and one can not use it for high-temperature cooking.
8. Oleev Active
Oleev Active oil has a concentration of 80% Rice Bran oil and 20% Olive Pomace Oil. It has an Energy Oculus Formula that ensures active energy throughout the day. Olive oil contains antioxidants that reduce joint pains. It boosts immunity and lowers cholesterol.
Olive oil is said to be useful in minimizing heart illnesses. Rice bran oil improves insulin resistance. Oleev Active Oil is a terrific blend of two valuable oils.
Olive oil is the healthiest preference for gym freaks. It’s a part of their schedule. Rice bran oils, similarly, are easy to blend into a diet. They support blood sugar levels, have anti-inflammatory effects, and antioxidants.
Pros
- It has antioxidants.
- It boosts immunity.
- It is useful in minimizing heart illnesses.
Cons
- One should not use it for high-temperature cooking.
9. Figaro Olive Oil
Figaro olive oil is sold in a sturdy 2-litre tin container with several advantages. The packaging in tin helps shield the olive oil from light and air exposure, which can gradually erode its quality.
It also ensures the oil lasts long while being tasty and fresh. The tin container is also strong and reliable, making it secure for storage and guarding against leaks or other damage.
The oldest continuously operating olive oil brand in India is called Figaro. Figaro has a long history and has earned a reputation for producing premium olive oil that meets consumer expectations.
Pros
- The smooth, fruity flavour and superb quality of Figaro olive oil are well renowned.
- The 2-litre tin container is reliable, secure, and practical for storage.
- Being the oldest continuously operating olive oil brand in India, Figaro has a lengthy history.
- Figaro olive oil is a type of olive oil that contains antioxidants and is regarded as having heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
Cons
- Figaro olive oil is a branded product thus, it could cost a bit more than cheap or lesser-known brands.
10. Vedaka Cold Pressed Sesame Oil
Vedaka Cold Pressed Sesame Oil
One of India’s greatest healthy cooking oils is Vedaka Cold Pressed Sesame Oil. It has several advantages that make it a preferred option among shoppers concerned about their health. This oil’s abundant vitamin and mineral content, which helps support general nutritional well-being, is one of its most recognized benefits. These necessary nutrients can support many biological processes and advance wellness.
The high smoke point of Vedaka Cold Pressed Sesame Oil is one of its important characteristics. The temperature at which an oil begins to degrade and release smoke is called the “smoke point.” Due to its high smoke point, which allows it to endure greater cooking temperatures without oxidizing or degrading, sesame oil is a good choice.
This makes it perfect for high-heat cooking techniques like stir-frying and sautéing. Vedaka Cold Pressed Sesame Oil is an economical alternative that offers additional health advantages, making it available to a broad spectrum of customers. It offers a reasonable option for people looking for a high-quality, healthful cooking oil.
Pros
- An inexpensive alternative for a healthy cooking oil is Vedaka Cold Pressed Sesame Oil.
- The oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), which helps support normal cholesterol levels and a healthy heart.
- Vedaka Cold Pressed Sesame Oil is loaded with vitamins and minerals and may be beneficial for your health.
Cons
- Taste preferences may vary, and some individuals may not prefer the flavour of sesame oil.
Also, Read:
Best Protein Powder In India – Fitness Review
Best Keratin Treatment Products in India 2023 – Review
Best Thermal Wear in India 2023 – Reviewed by Hardik Tankariya
A Consumer’s Guide To Buying Cooking Oil
- When making fried snacks or starters:
You should use oil with a high smoking point. If you heat the oil more than its smoking point, it will release toxins unhealthy for your body. You should use oil with a smoking point above 220 centigrade.
- For baking:
Neutral-flavoured oils such as Canola oil are good choices for baking. It has less flavour and does not overpower the taste or fragrance of the food. Coconut oil is also ideal for baking because of its natural sweetness.
- For sauteing:
Olive, Canola, and Sunflower oils are ideal for this type of cooking. We heat the oil until it starts smoking, so we have to be very cautious about the kind we want to use. We don’t want our oil to burn because that would affect the taste of our food.
- For Salad:
Virgin olive oil and extra-virgin coconut oils are the first choices. They are pure, light, and have a natural aroma. A drizzle of olive oil can also ensure your heart safety; it helps lower your blood pressure and is the best choice for your salad dressing. There are South Indian desserts that just won’t taste the best unless they have coconut oil flavour.
What Are The Best Cooking Oil In India?
To thoroughly understand why we, as consumers, need to know our oils. Edible oils have fatty acids: Saturated fatty acids, Monounsaturated fatty acids, and Polyunsaturated fatty acids. They also contain antioxidants. We must understand these cooking oils’ smoking points, whether to use refined oils or unrefined oils, hydrogenated oils, or extra virgin, virgin, pure or light oils.
Saturated Fatty Acids:
Saturated Fatty acids contain animal fats and plant oils. It is stable and suitable for cooking food at a high temperature, such as fried snacks. Tropical fruits make these acids, such as palm or coconut. Butter or ghee is also a Saturated fatty acid.
These acids have carbon chains filled with hydrogen atoms, with no space for oxygen atoms. This structure makes the fatty acid stable.
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids:
Food high in Monounsaturated fatty acids is useful to lower your bad LDL cholesterol. It is unstable for cooking at high temperatures. Olive oil, avocado oil, and nut oils are examples.
These acids have two missing hydrogens in their carbon chain, making them loosely packed. The structure becomes unstable at high temperatures.
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids:
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids provide your body with fats that it can not produce on its own, such as Omega-3 and Omega-6. Examples include sunflower oil, rice bran oil, safflower oil, and canola oil.
These acids lack many hydrogen atoms in their carbon chain. Avoiding these in high-temperature cooking is better, as they are very unstable. It has an imbalance in the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio.
The Smoke Point Of Cooking Oils
It is the temperature at which the oil stops from boiling and starts smoking. If you heat the oil beyond its smoking point, it will form radicals generating toxic fumes. The nutrients lose their benefits, and the oil reaches the point where it can catch fire.
Unrefined Oils:
The Natural extraction process gives us unrefined oils. They obtain these oils by mechanically cold-pressing the oil-bearing plants. The oils have rich nutrients and flavour and are much healthier for cooking.
However, they have a low-temperature point, and one can not use them for high-temperature cooking. You can use the oils in dressings and drizzles. One can not buy unrefined oils in massive amounts because they have no shelf life.
Refined Oils:
Obtaining these oils contains a lot of complicated and high mechanical and chemical steps. These oils are easily blendable, have a longer shelf life, and have higher smoking points than unrefined oils.
It has a neutral flavour, and one can use this oil for different cuisines. Refined cooking oil is the most popular kind.
Hydrogenated Oils:
It is a process that many refined oils undergo. In this process, hydrogen is added into Omega-6 polyunsaturated fats. One can use this as an alternative to butter. Hydrogenated oils become solid at room temperature and are less perishable.
However, these produce trans-fatty acids harmful to the human body. These oils deposit in blood vessels as they are challenging to metabolize appropriately.
Some examples are corn, soy, safflower, and cottonseed oils.
Extra-Virgin, Virgin, Pure, Or Light:
These oils retain their original flavour, aroma, and nutrients. Virgin oils are unrefined oils and milder than extra-virgin oils. They are second in quality after extra-virgin oils.
Pure oil is a blend of refined and virgin oil. It has lower quality than virgin oil, so the aroma, flavour, and nutrient counts are also less. Light oil is a mild oil that is used for low-heat cooking extensively.
Why Do We Need To Know The Best Cooking Oil For India?
We certainly can not compare our best cooking oils with that of the West. Our cuisines have more riches. We use different spices, and our cooking style is unique to us. We consume food made with oil every day in our diet. We need to know the right type of fat that we can regularly use.
One should choose their cooking oils after proper consideration and research. When consuming something every day, and it is a part of your diet, you must choose the best kind suited for your health. Cooking oil that is good for you may not be right for someone else, so taking suggestions from others without considering your own bodily needs would not be smart.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you might think that cooking oils can be chosen randomly and do not require your attention, but you would be wrong. Your everyday food consumption and every prevalent ingredient is an essential factor for your health and well-being. To ensure a healthy life, we have to know the best cooking oils suitable for us. Many of your health issues can be resolved if you look a little deeper into your kitchen.
Being an Indian, I understand how difficult it is to resist spicy and delicious food; guess what, you don’t have to anymore. All you need is an article to go by when you get your cooking oils. We hope we can help you with your search for the best cooking oil in India.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Which cooking oil is best for the heart in India?
The best cooking oil for the heart in India is Mustard Oil and Olive Oil. Both mustard and olive oil are low on cholesterol and have health benefits.
How palm oil is killing India?
According to 2023, reports have found that palm oil is one of the primary reasons for heart attacks and diabetes. The packed items exported in India is almost made of palm oil.
Which cooking oil is best for diabetes patients?
Avoid refined oil and use Extra Virgin Olive or Cold Press Olive Oil. Olive oil will help reduce the risk of heart disease as well.