Cold-pressed grapeseed oil is one of the most expensive oils. But the price is justified: it has a special aroma and is full of healthy ingredients.
As the name suggests, grape seed oil is made from the seeds of grapes. There are 50 kilograms of grape seeds in one liter of oil. You can buy both cold-pressed and hot-pressed oil in stores.
With cold-pressed oil, the cores are not additionally heated during pressing, but only warmed up by the pressure. The oil obtained from the kernels is light green in color and tastes nutty and fruity, reminiscent of grapes.
Hot-pressed grape seed oil is additionally heated and mixed with a chemical solvent (chemical extraction) so that more oil can be extracted. The agent ensures that the oil dissolves particularly well from the kernels. The mixture is then heated to evaporate the solvent and leave behind the oil. Hot-pressed grapeseed oil is also commonly refined. This means that numerous accompanying substances, such as coloring or flavorings, are filtered out. Therefore, hot-pressed grape seed oil is colorless and tasteless.
Grape seed oil: Healthy ingredients and their effects
Hot and cold pressed grape seed oils not only look different and taste different. Both consist of about 90 percent unsaturated fatty acids – apart from that, however, they differ in their ingredients:
Linoleic Acid: Grapeseed oil is made up of about 70 percent of this omega-6 fatty acid. Linoleic acid is one of the substances that your body cannot produce itself. Among other things, it needs them to regenerate cells and heal wounds. But beware: If you consume too many omega-6 fatty acids and too few omega-3 fatty acids, this can possibly promote chronic diseases. According to the Budwig Foundation, the optimal ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 is 1:2 to 1:5. Grape seed oil contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in a ratio of 1:135. So you should use it sparingly.
Antioxidants: Cold-pressed grape seed oil is considered very healthy because it contains many antioxidants. These are substances that protect the cells in your body from harmful influences such as diseases. The oil provides, among other things, vitamin E and vegetable procyanidins (OPCs).
Vitamin K: The fat-soluble vitamin is also an ingredient in cold-pressed grape seed oil. It plays an important role in your body in metabolic processes and in blood clotting.
Application of grape seed oil
Hot-pressed grapeseed oil can be heated to high temperatures because of its high smoke point. You can use it for frying and frying. Since the oil is tasteless, it goes well with many foods.
Cold-pressed grape seed oil, on the other hand, should only be heated gently. Better use it for cold foods, like salads. The nutty taste also goes well with cheese.
The cold-pressed oil is not only used in the kitchen, but also often in cosmetic products such as night and moisturizing creams. Studies show that linoleic acid reduces inflammation in the skin and supports its regeneration.
