Oil Seeds

Oil Seeds

Why fried foods are tastier than boiled foods?

There are two kinds of oils namely, essential oils and vegetable oils or fatty oils. The essential oils or volatile oils which possess aroma evaporate or volatilize in contact with air. Any organ of a plant may be the source of essential oil. For example, flowers of Jasmine, fruits of orange and roots of ginger. The vegetable oils or non-volatile oils or fixed oils that do not evaporate. Whole seeds or endosperm form the sources of vegetable oils.

Let us know about few oil seeds

Groundnut / Peanut

Botanical name : Arachis hypogaea

Family : Fabaceae

Origin and Area of Cultivation:

Groundnut is native of Brazil. Portuguese introduced groundnut into Africa. The Spanish took it to the South East Asia and India via Philippines. In India Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan are top producers.

Uses

Nuts contain about 45% oil. The kernels are also rich sources of phosphorous and vitamins, particularly thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. It is premium cooking oil because it does not smoke. Lower grade oil is used in manufacture of soaps and lubricants.

Sesame / Gingelly

Botanical name : Sesamum indicum

Family : Pedaliaceae

Origin and Area of cultivation: 

Sesamum indicum has originated from Africa.. Sesame is cultivated as a dry land crop. West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh are the top producers in India during 2017-18. It is considered as a healthy oil in Southern Indian culture.

Uses

Sesame oil is used for mostly culinary purposes in India. Lower grades are used in manufacture of soaps, in paint industries, as a lubricant and as an illuminant. In India, the oil is the basis of most of the scented oils used in perfumes. Sesame seed snacks are popular throughout India.

Coconut

Botanical name : Cocos nucifera

Family : Arecaceae

Origin and Area of cultivation:

The origin of coconut is Pacific island region. Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the leading producers in India.

Uses

Coconut oil is classified as edible-industrial oil. Soaps obtained from coconut oil lathers well in soft and hard water. It is used in manufacture of rubber, synthetic resins, lubricants, brake fluids for aeroplanes and detergents. It is used as major hair oil and a base for applying medicinal powders.