The Vegetable Oils ; (Slight) Comparison

Some flowerescense...

”I believe that a careful consideration of the structure of a species, and of the peculiar physical and organic conditions by which it is surrounded, or has been surrounded in the past ages, will often ...throw much light on the origin of it's habits and instincts.”

A.R.Wallace, 

on Malay Archipelago (from chpt XVI; Celebes), p 1869.

...Slight (comparison), at this particular case, just because I didn't particularly check out the especial characteristics from any of these. This is merely in the similar vein than my former comparitive writing that was from the alternative sweeteners. (The presented 'ranking' about these veggie-oils is not any manner exclusive or anyhow definitive either – Albeit I did try, slightly, consider flavour and healthyness in combined for to make up some sort of order for this presented list.)

Is a common knowledge on the present days from the vegetable oils being every manner more heart-friendly choices at cooking than (fx, ao) the butter, so I don't either make here any declarations pro them. I only selected a few products familiar to me and only intend to write some brief paragraphs devoted on each. 
 

...I've fx omitted several quite common and in the world widely used alternatives, mostly due because they're not available here, also often are not on sold for any sensible prices - Also due from variety other reasons, examples that first come to mind are: ..fx the notorious palm oils, also said for widely used as the cooking oils on some of the warmer regions of world. But it's not even sold here (the disadvantages concerned, I'd anyway probable left it out from this). ; Likewise, even that I find it commonly on sale at markets, the coconut-oil, basically also usable at the cooking, I never buy (or very rarely). Don't know about how sustainable the production nowadays would appear (earlier certainly wasn't), but the stuff never even has felt suitable on my uses. Not recommendable from any dietary view-points either. And, further the same about  peanut-oil, I didn't select that either even that I thought it maybe for (relative) good alternative (...but the main reason to leave out that was because I felt the product quite much resembling the walnut-oil, only less benefial from the health view-points considered.). ...And, finally to mention, also Macadamia-oil I left out of this, mostly due from that being imported from quite far, and, actually I did not find any noteworthy reason for products uses. (Though, it also can be used on frying, unlike most from these. Yet, there's also plentysome other alternatives to that use.)

...From pictures (placed here accomp.,) is mentioned that the seeds/kernels within the text simply felt proper to underline the fact that all these actually do originate from the natures offerings, (or, i-o-w: of the great Kingdom of Plants). All selections are of course from the agriculturally cultivated products, so many of these probably have had quite lenghty histories on the human uses. (So I tried put some weight on that at our ”ranking” too.).

From not having any professional knowledge about the physical or chemial mechanisms of the body and mind (neither time to familiarize w. those), I've mostly relied for my occasional/random readings as the main sources. And, of the food-stuffs on our presented recipes-section, some likely did originate for Anne Bergenström's Nya Anna's mat (p. about 1990s). (I only mention it, the book doesn't especially devote much on the dressing/frying oils, and is not referred here.) ; ...I of course own various cookbooks, like most peoples, but for uses on this most informative (or, usable concerning these writings), perhaps, appeared what said on Natalia Savonia's popular The Kitchen Shrink (2000s). At least what comes to the aspects she seems written on, ...say; from the vitamins, mental well-being, and also the general information from the effects/behaviour of dietary fats concerning the health. (...even that I don't much use the books recipes). Also, perhaps differing from the 'advices' presented on book, I fx tend use honey, more or less, or sometimes. 

Likewise, I don't fx see any a particular reasons for eat salmon any manner regularly, or especielt. I do eat that, occasionally, but in general I think almost any kinds of fish are probably closely/or nearly as much beneficial choices on the diet – But my opinions about that, probably, originate of my general distaste towards the modern aquacultural products and the other lot of the same sort of fish-food production. ...In other words, doesn't mean I wouldn't nowdays consider fish every manner more preferable to the meat and steaks. (I actually believe the development of human brain functions by earliest was aided from the fish-rich diet, and only secondary came the carnivorous diet w. hunted prey, etc.) 
Regarless of the preceding remarks, I also did find the book having lots usable and interesting said from veggies (and, also the fish, nuts, etc.) importance in the human diets, esp. concerning the emotional- and mental balance, et similar aspects...not to mention the good advice that the more processed the product, usually the less nutritional value in it remaining. 
; ...As an enchanting childhood memoir I also recall how we commonly used to ate the perches (and other sorts of the white fish) from the local pond, trout was the main quarry of course, but most smaller fish were quite well received offerings too.   [; G.U.J.]

Comparison 

(Presented order not any ranking, however I gave some 'trophy-places' on the three first I discovered most valued.)

Flower (C. pepo) ...of a decorative variety.

; Pumpkin seed-oil.

 
(If having read any of our food-stuff posts here, one probably has noticed my deep affection for the Pumpkins - thats why we have the flower here for an extra-decorative element...) But, the pumpkin- oil presented here not due because from any pre-arranged or -decided discriminating reasons: I only discovered it (this mentioned pumpkin seed-oil, don't know whether there appears any considerable differences btw various product) having the most luxurious flavour; ...and is delicious accompaniment for salads, or fx w. fried potatoes, whatsover one prefers.

Pumpkin (seeds).

; ...Product here estimated seems originating of Styria (Seems also even adverted for GMO-free product.) ...Don't know too well from it's healthyness, or precisely of how well the seeds natural vitamins/contents preserve in the manufacturing process. (It's cold-pressed, so that apparently no problem.) Pumpkin seeds are often recommended from their many benefits and are good addition to any salad, fx. 
 

In fact, seems assumed the pumpkins been by earliest taken to cultivation just due because of the plant's healthy seeds. They contain fx lot iron (Fe). (Fruit's flesh from pumpkins, by origin wasn't too well palatable.). However, the pumpkin(s) have been human cultivated since distant past periods, and actually all the (common) pumpkins originate from same species (Cucurbita pepo). I think, it's somewhat uncertain whether it is even known from the original 'uncultivated' plant to have been found of the natures nowadays. At least, if there's any mention it must have passed my attention. Btw, same also concerns certain other human cultivated plants, albeit only fewsome. ;...And, yet, to mention, that my unbiased applauses also go for those Italian cultivators of the late 18^th-(?)-centurys, whom are said having bred those modern summer squashes that we favor in the garden cultivation. This seed-oil the unrivalled ”winner” at this comparison. Isn't usable to the frying though, so don't waste it for that.

; The Walnut-oil.

Walnut.

; ...However, if we'd seriously arranged the places of some, imaginable 'podium', or w. trophies and medals considered, I guess the 1^st prize would've necessary been shared. Conversely than from the preceding, my views emphasized on this case concern more on it's health benefits than the flavour. As I find that – Walnut-oil gained my praises here mainly from it's (claimed, but argunentable) good qualities favorability fx concerning on the mental functions. I find it otherways quite favorable too, although not very much in differing on taste to some other comparable oils usable at salad dressings, etc.. ;...Although, the bottle I bought even recommeds the product for some real gourmandes, but as I find myself merely satisfied even without any partridge on dinners at sundays (I'm not any gourmande, like goes the word written, :) - I only tend to buy that somewhat randomly. ; Likewise as was the case from pumpkin seed-oil it's also not at all recommendable to use on frying, as the heating affects disfavorably for contained poly-unsaturated fats, (...acc. my understanding. :) 
 

About 50 per ccent of the Walnut seeds (of the Common Walnut, Juglans regia) is rich in oils, ao benefiting and enchancing the immune system. Is also said for good source of the potassium and folic acid and, additionally, from Nat's cookbook we find it said the walnut (seeds) containing fx vitamin E, vitamin B6, biotin, iron. Seems it then also sometimes discussed from whether the seeds have anti-oxidant effect, or other similarly popularly discussed aspects. Personally I only find proof on behalf from favorability concerning the emotional and mental well-being...but of course I'm neither also here making any pharmacological analyses, or similar.

I also find (...it said, on my books and papers) that there's almost no other 'regular' tree (;ie excluding the fruit trees) that'd yield so nutrient-rich harvest – Although, as some comparable exceptions, at least the following should be mentioned: Figs, Maple (the syrup), Olive (see below) and Oak (...Oak's acorns not palatable from any significant amount.) Not to mention the cacao (Theobroma cacao). Not to mention... ;  Of course, the nuts/acorns been favored on the human diets since the prehistoric from their nutritiousness, various writers seem have praised also others sorts from, fx the hazel-, para-, pecan-. (And, btw also some common Weeds appear have surprisingly good nutritional value, often presented example from it's many past uses at kitchen is/are Nettles, Urticaceae)   
; And also, in passing said, that I don't so often buy the walnut seeds - Simply because, like many of the nuts and seeds sold, them appear actually surprisingly expensive at markets. Anyhow, most of the European people probably are familiar with those seeds, which appear often eaten around X-mas. On the N.American part the Hickory (Carya), I suppose, also appears sort of comparable example, from it's large palatable seeds. But the walnut also was introduced there around the 18^th century. (Black Walnut, J.nigra, native species for U.S. eastern parts, also is described producing similarly oil rich nuts, but them are 'encased on hard shell', and taste of the nuts is said spoil sooner after harvest time.)

; ...At this case also becomes worth noticing that Walnuts (Juglans) are trees and schrubs which actually contain, at least some species threatened in the nature. Largely/or apparently, that been because many of the species produce timber highly prized on many uses (...incl. - not very surprising – the furniture-making, a manufacture which during history held the role as some curse for an industry, concerning many other trees and forestries too - As you soon discover if little viewing past histories and ecological books.) The common species of Walnut, from which only the palatable nuts and oil also manufactured, also is listed to the threatened at the natural region(s), although not very severely...by now, I guess. Seems it as well been widely planted around cloisters already on during the Middle-ages, largely because from it's well appreciated seeds, that are 'extremely nutritious' like we observed. Also, fx it's leaves were in the past often used for some medicinal purposes, in the herbal medicinery, ao (...but acc. my finding practically the same is true actually about almost every one and each other trees there are. Indeed, how wonderful the trees...) Those leaves appear make rather enchanting-looking foliage, too.

Cultivation of Walnuts seems been introduced for the Europe early on times, first during the antique (even BC) for the Mediterranean, and considerably later to more Northern Europe. Many 'cultivars' have also been developed since those times, fx, with intention for trees producing larger seeds. ...If we then also mention the Walnuts (Juglandaceae) having evolved around ca 80-90 m.y.a., closely around the same era as the most other typical contemporary flowering trees(-families of the Birch(es), betula ; Beeches, fagaceae, etc.), this should probably suffice of the walnuts part.

; Sesame-oil.

Sesame.

; ...Happens that I devoted so much of space for previous examples that our additional 'trophee' shall now have to do with only few paragraphs. Actually, these 2^nd and 3^rd 'trophees' could have changed places quite as well, for this ”ranking” - like said – serves not to offer any obligatory order.

First of all, the sesame-oil – likewise that was from above two – is not usually used on the frying (not recommended due the same reasons that was discussed). ; Otherways, acc. my finding oil is rather tasty and well-usable. It's generally quite colourless, not remarkably different to other oils...but has certain exceptionality, or say 'luxuriousness', ...or smtgh. I mostly use it for accomp. the salads etc., but it's well-usable other tasks too (Although the sesames are generally quite valued, and the oil appears relative expensive).

; The seeds appear rich source of the protein and also have lots 'natural antioxidants'. As well, are found very flexible and usable for most various culinary uses, bakings especially (or, as I sometimes prefer, eaten w. yoghurt). Nat's cookbook seems also describe it favorable for health and mind, to the women also concerning the mestrual periods. (But also appears worth notice that possibly can cause allergizing effects for some people.)

Sesame (Sesanum indicum) actually is herb by natural origin. The plant (of which the seeds seem collected) belongs for some of the very oldest human-cultivated 'crops', it's earliest agricultural use goes for the time over 4000 years past. At the modern (western) consumerist societies likely it has become more renown only more lately, perhaps w. some of those health benefits becoming researched. However, in the Near East and Asia it's many uses have been known since from immemorial times. There seems be fx wide variety of traditional cuisine, apparently mostly bakings, on where it's the main essential ingredient. (And also remember the famous mention from that Ali Baba-tale). Soforth, the culinary oil well worth it's fame too.

; Olive-oil(s)

Olive (fruit).

; If I should make any choice from btw here most common usual cooking oils, the olive-oil and the rapeseed-oil, my preferred selection would favor olives (from that reason the order of this and the subsequent). Olive-oils also contain lot monounsaturated fat, making it more preferable in the cooking than fx the Sunflower oil. Concerning the purposes and limited space we have for any singular example here, I don't take any sides on that discussion from whether olive- or rapeseed-oil would appear healthier alternative as the source of frying oils. Both appear also available as the regular Extra Vergine-oils, alternative more preferred at salads accomp., etc. ;...ie the so called cold-pressed oil that've been extracted only w. mechanical methods (,at least in case from the olive-oil.)

; ...But actually I don't fx know whether it's the kernel or 'surface' from olive fruit that is used in the manufacture. I suppose the fleshy part, but I could err on that... My main argument to favor the olive oil is due that the cultivation of olives, also sometimes very long-aging trees, has quite little changed since the distant past. (However, acc. my finding there's also pretty much differences in btw the quality of the various many available olive-oils. It's generally lot more obvious and noticeble than of any other from these examples presented. ...Doesn't anyhow bother me, though.) Like was noted priorly the olive fruit makes quite healhysome 'snacks' too...albeit not quite similarly true concerning the usually sold some, 'spoiled' at the salted water.

And indeed, the many cultural historical remarks here addressable are actually too numerous w. refer for any lenghtier noticements. The best parable I've seen of that said (smtgh like) that for the antique cultures the importance of the olive-oil was about comparable to that of the modern fuels (coal and oils) during the few past centuries. I think that says most of it...as some lasting memoir about that, during times there's said been lot of discoveries from sunken ships w. ballasts that mainly consisted of amphoras (the clay-pots, or other containers, hundreds or even thousands of them), carrying – what else but the olive-oil. (Even though we then should also mention the olive-tree actually been brought for the replacement in place of preceded human deforested woods/original vegetation ; The common olive (O.europaeus) having by earliest grown at the Asia Minor. )

; Rapeseed-oil.

; In spite of the rapeseed (The source plant; Brassica napus;...of precisely, seems it the rapeseed-oil, cultivated at these northern zones, was orig. developed/appears plant var. from Brassica Rapa [Turnip rape] ...for it tolerates colder conditions, generally. I guess, the possible expectable cultivat. of the B.napus at these warmed climates and the resultative consequences from that remain to be seen.) 'qualifying' this low, it's probably the most usual vegetable oil on my uses. Reason of that is simple: for it's also domestically cultivated here, the product appears cheaper to most others selected to this comparison. Rapeseed can be used as well for the dressing or as a cooking oil (Even the cold-pressed seems perfectly usable on frying, although the regular more recommendable for that.) Matter of opinion which of these two last mentioned you think better choice as the cooking oil. ; ...An interesting historical remark is offered via that B.napus are by origin human bred plants, and the larger plant family of them (the class/group) also fx contains the Brassica oleareceae (var oleareceae), ie 'Wild cabbage'. The last mentioned then happens to be species of which the numerous cultivated cabbages had originally been bred from. (At the distant past, but sort of an example how versatile results the human agricultural history has sometimes been able create.)

; Contary to olives, the rapeseed production is of more modern origins and during the some past decades actually lot human reseached has been devoted for it. Oil is generally quite as good alternative than any of the above. ...So it's actually from the manner of production I find it 'rank' this low. One can fx often stop for observing the plant – or more particularly it's some close relates that naturalize here - often growing on fx way-sides or damp-sites – and notice how they gathering visits of some variety insects. But, typically the fields are maintained w. the usual human method, ie the singular crop cultivated. Besides, as its quite recent human introduced plant here, also is known of it been quite vulnerable to certain particular pest spec. (some coleopteran spec. acc. my memory), so the chemial pesticides and herbicides been typical on it's production (...and so I nowadays only buy the organically cultivated oil, like said.) 
 

(No pic of the seeds here presented on this case,
their, likely, not usually sold on market ; I suppose the oil been processed of the flowered plants that develop small kernels...but that could be otherwise too.)

; The Flax-oil

Flax-seeds.

; ...As we have already elsewhere here words devoted for Flax, it suffices to add here that the health benefits of the flax also appear quite much studied. So, nowadays the 'processed' flax-oil is sold as some 'health product', to daily consumption also, for the researches seem found the seeds to contain lot fx linoleum acid and alpha-linoleum acid, that are both beneficial on the repairment of human cell blocks - (or smtgh like that, meaningful aspects, perhaps also quite newly discovered, and, a bit too 'remarkably important' things from me of having paid much attention on it...) ; But, I've actually not seen it sold for uses as the typical food oil (while I suppose, there's probably every possibility to that at the plants development), can't say much more from these viewpoints. Ranking here mainly 'cause it feels so very traditional plant, holds a status of/from certain domestic heritage, so to say...

(;...btw, the seeds on above pic of the personally grown few plants...as the flax happens be rather easily cultivated species. Only singular aspect from it's many good qualities...)

; Sunflower-oil

Sunflower (seeds).

; The sunflower-oil also is/has been, even historically, commonly used fx on the frying, baking, ao. However, the contained polyunsaturated fat is said not behaving favorably in the heating so it's not the healthiest alternative on that. (Although the oil has quite high heating point, so I actually use it sometimes when that's needed, or fx when I've had no other alternative oil to use as the culinary oil. Haven't observed any significant disadvantages resulted for myself, but mostly I don't much use it. That largely due that on it's commercial cultivation there are, or at least were, used variety pesticides/chemicals, some that researches did notice especially harmful to the bees and similar. (It was sometimes also connected to those discussed bee-declines.)

; (Quite contrary to the above descibed – on the home garden cultivation Sun-flowers are ecologically most advantageous to cultivate and here also almost pest-free plants. It's the method of the cultivation like noted; Bigger the field, the more difficult turn the emerged pest species. Of course modern agricultures often tries invent various practices and fixes to these things...Equally true also, it concerning several other plants here mentioned, not just the Sunflowers on France – actually it's the same from any plant which is of recent introduced for any place. Wouldn't much surprise me if there were somewhat resembling aspects in case from other here observed plants introduction for foreign continents; fx mentioned Walnuts on N.America, rapeseed to N.Europe, olives and avocados on any places, ...but that goes little further off from our discussions here.)

...However, the Sunflower seeds probably belong for some from healthiest and most recommendable natures offerings there are. I regularly eat some - Even that I don't think them solely representing any remarkable 'health wonders', there's whole lot of truth in the sayin' that them help fend of colds and diseases.

; The avocado-oil

; Likewise than from the preceding some, elsewhere here some words of the fruit itself as food. The manufacture of oil from avocado also is quite newly invented product concerning it's culinary use. So, probably I find not much esp. pro or disfavorable of the product, in addition to what said on that. (The avocado-oil is generally quite tasteless, but appears acc. my finding quite usable in the frying – at least it's said having quite high heating point. Otherways, or on more regular uses I only don't seem have much any needs to it.)
(...No pics of this, unlike most other usual veggie-oils avocado-oil processed from the fruit, not from seeds/ kernels.)
 

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...Conclusively, for the closing of these observations only few things are further adressed. Solely on basis from said seems it reasonable point out that one should usually acquire most of the necessary fats and proteins, etc., from more than any singular source. Conversely, fx walnuts or sesame seeds, may be very nutrient-rich and healthy choices, but doesn't singularly suffice to maintain all the ”components” needed on 'better health'. Seems that therefore also to confirm me that I've not much use for the so called 'super-foods'. Multi-sided diet is the best. ; Likewise, my observations here feel sufficient to prove me that, if one doesn't have to use some vitamin or other 'additions' of any particular reasons of health, there's not need from eat any of so called dietary supplements (...that I of course already knew). The old but convincing phrase then quoted, just for some common sense advice, 'An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.' (...With my best regards also for doctors House, Psi and the Spock.) ; ...Of the ecological aspects relating – Well, these brief observations easily brought alongside so many singular things, that I must say most were only occasionally referred at this comparison (As the text actually was mainly from vegetable oils.).

; ...hemipteran/heteropteran bug ; just for the decoration here too. Happens that we omitted this large and extremely ancient family of insect from our former writings of insect (the bugs, and whatever the name on their scientific family-tree, contain both plant matter eating and preying species like the case from most major insect orders. I guess there's also somewhat many pest species among them, albeit not quite similarly than fx from the coleopteran or among the moths.) - But I encountered this exciting looking, relative common species, on warm summer day here, from the nearby meadow where also grows some Oak. For I had seen those (or similar) only at the France, I had though to having range here only nearer SW coast. Likely it's also rather fond of the warmer seasons, mostly seen just around middle Summer time. Also has some nice lovely stripes, what a dandy for an insect, you might like to say...

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