tbl peanut oil
Rich in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E, with a favorable ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids compared to many vegetable oils. Contains resveratrol and other polyphenols, particularly in cold-pressed varieties.
About
Peanut oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea), a legume native to South America but now cultivated extensively in Africa, Asia, and North America. The oil is obtained through mechanical pressing and sometimes solvent extraction, resulting in a clear to pale yellow liquid with a mild, slightly nutty flavor when cold-pressed, or a more neutral taste when refined through heat treatment and bleaching.
Peanut oil contains primarily monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, with a relatively high smoke point (450°F/232°C for refined oil). It exists in two primary varieties: light refined oil, which has minimal peanut flavor and is suitable for high-heat cooking, and cold-pressed or expeller-pressed varieties, which retain more natural peanut character and are better suited to finishing dishes and dressings.
Culinary Uses
Peanut oil is a versatile cooking medium widely used across Asian, African, and American cuisines. Its high smoke point makes it ideal for deep-frying, stir-frying, and high-temperature sautéing, particularly in Chinese, Thai, and West African cooking. The refined version is neutral enough for general-purpose cooking, while cold-pressed peanut oil is valued for dressings, marinades, and drizzling over finished dishes to impart subtle peanut flavor. It is a key ingredient in many Asian noodle dishes, vegetable stir-fries, and fried snacks, and is also used in salad dressings, mayonnaise production, and traditional African groundnut sauces.