Is grapeseed the new olive oil?

February 12, 2008

You might well have noticed how the cooking oil shelves of supermarkets are expanding and getting just a bit more interesting. In our parent's day it was all about Crisco and corn oils, then in the mid 70s olive oils took over, to then be challenged by the canola oils.

Well, make room for grapeseed!

Grapeseed oil is a polyunsaturated oil and can be used to fry, bake, sauté, or use in salad dressings. It is actually made from the seeds of grapes (Vitis viniffera), and this byproduct of winemaking has become a sought-after oil for cooking because of its high smoke point (320ºF.) and its clean light taste some call neutral, others find nutty. It blends well with herbs, spices, garlic, and shallots. Most grapeseed oil is imported from France, Italy or Switzerland with a few brands now emerging from the U.S. winemaking areas.

Besides the flavor, one of the reasons I like grapeseed oil is its health profile. High amounts of Omega 6 (linoleic acid) appear in grapeseed oil (69-78%) and helps the body burn fat and increases energy. The oil contains modest amounts of Omega 9 (oleic acid) and traces of omega 3 (alpha-linolenic acid, GLA (gamma-linolenic) fatty acids, and there are trace amounts of vitamin E, vitamin C and beta-carotene. Health reports indicate that HDL levels can be raised and LDL levels reduced by including grapeseed oil as a regular part of one's diet.

Just a note, or two (or three!)

As with all oils unopened bottles have a shelf life of one to two years if stored in a cool dark place; opened bottles should be stored with the lid tightly secured also in a cool dark place. Some prefer to store their oils in the fridge, which may cause some separation, but will not impact taste or cooking performance.

Look for 'cold pressed' oils, this process will not compromise nutrients and many (myself included) believe the taste of the oils to be crisper and cleaner flavor.

And of course, remember that all oils – no matter what the source or type – are 100% fat and have the same calories.

This discussion has been closed!