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IASC
members derive oils from plants and trees.
Oil seed crops are planted or replanted annually. The acreage sown can
vary considerably from year to year, depending partly on the estimated
return to the farmer compared to possible alternative crops, such as cereals.
The quantity harvested will depend on the yield which is influenced by
the variety and strain of seed selected, the usage of fertilisers and
pest control sprays, the vagaries of the weather and similar related issues.
Typical crops include Rapeseed, Soyabean, Sunflower, Corn (Maize), Cotton
and Groundnut.
Soyabean Oil
Rapeseed Oil
Sunflower Oil
Corn Oil
Peanut Oil
Cotton Oil
Palm Oil
Palm Kernel Oil
Coconut Oil
Soyabean Oil
The world's largest source of vegetable oil. Grown extensively in the
U.S.A., as well as South America and China. The North American soya harvest,
which takes place around October each year, historically tends to determine
the prices of most other major oils, although in recent years the North
American crop has increasingly come under pressure from South American
Soya, which is harvested about March, and from European Rapeseed, which
is harvested about July.
Typical composition %
Saturates 15
Monounsaturates 23
Polyunsaturates 62
Rapeseed Oil
The
Rape plant (Brassica Campestris) grows in more northern latitudes than
any other major oil- producing plant. Rapeseed for oil production typically
comes from the U.K. and Europe, as well as from Canada (Canola).
A good all-round oil for most cooking and frying applications. Relatively high levels of mono-unsaturates make this a good robust oil which will tolerate high temperatures.
Typical
composition %
Saturates 7
Monounsaturates 63
Polyunsaturates 30
Sunflower
Seed Oil
Sources:
Russia, Ukraine, Europe, Argentina, USA.
Of those oils in common daily use, Sunflower has the highest level of polyunsaturates and which are effectively all of the more stable, linoleic variety. The actual level can vary from below 60% to over 70%, with the highest levels being found in crops grown in areas experiencing the largest variation between day and night-time temperatures.
Typical
composition %
Saturates 13
Monounsaturates 22
Polyunsaturates 65
Corn
or Maize Oil
A liquid oil extracted from the germ (seed) of maize. The crop is widely
grown and some local production is available in many countries, including
the UK and Europe. However, the only source of real international importance
is the USA.
The seed contains approx. 40% oil
Typical composition %
Saturates 15
Monounsaturates 26
Polyunsaturates 59
Peanut (Groundnut) Oil
Groundnuts
(peanuts) for oil production are grown primarily in West Africa, South
America, and China. Because there are relatively limited supplies, and
a constant high demand, Peanut Oil usually commands a considerable price
premium over most other cooking or frying oils.
Extremely robust, fries at a high temperature. Characteristic, slightly nutty taste. Odourless.
Typical composition %
Saturates 22
Monounsaturates 49
Polyunsaturates 29
Cottonseed
Oil
A liquid oil derived from the seed of the cotton plant and grown primarily
in China, Russia, the USA, India and Brazil. Although the plant is grown
in substantial quantities, the seed itself yields only about 20% oil,
and the majority of this is consumed in the countries of origin, with
comparatively little international trade.
The oil contains a balance of the various fatty acid types, and is mainly used for various food manufacturing purposes.
Typical composition %
Saturates 28
Monounsaturates 18
Polyunsaturates 54
The Lauric Oils
Palm
Oil
Produced from the Oil Palm, grown in tropical climates, principally Malaysia,
Indonesia and West Africa. The Oil Palm takes about 5 years from planting
to first fruiting so production of the oil cannot be rapidly increased
in line with demand. However, once established, the trees crop continuously
throughout the year, although there are certain months when production
is relatively higher than others, and there is a tendency for the trees
to become stressed if over-cropped, which sometimes leads to a good year
being followed by a poor year.
The fruit of the Oil Palm grow in bunches weighing from 13 to 18kg. with each bunch consisting of over 1000 fruits. The fruit consists of a fibrous layer of pulpy flesh, from which is extracted Palm Oil, and a hard kernel or stone, from which is derived Palm Kernel Oil.
Typical composition %
Saturates 50
Monounsaturates 40
Polyunsaturates 10
Having a relatively higher proportion of saturates than most other major
oils, Palm Oil is extremely stable, and is suitable for most cooking and
frying applications. Crude (unrefined) Palm Oil is a bright orange semi-liquid,
which is usually rendered into a creamy-white solid in the refining process,
although some applications require the oil to be only partially-hardened.
When produced and sold in solid, block, form, Palm Oil is extremely convenient
to store, transport and to handle.
Palm
Kernel Oil
The kernel of the palm fruit is extracted in the production of Palm Oil.
This kernel itself yields some 45% oil which is white in colour and has
possesses totally different properties from those found in Palm Oil.
Typical
composition %
Saturates 83
Monounsaturates 15
Polyunsaturates 2
Coconut
Oil
The coconut palm is grown in many tropical areas, with the Philippines
and Indonesia being the most important regions in terms of international
trade. The white flesh of the coconut has an oil yield of up to 65%, making
it the highest yielding of traditional oil-bearing materials.
Typical composition %
Saturates 92
Monounsaturates 5
Polyunsaturates 3
