Lexicon
Refining
Industrial post-treatment of oil that makes it neutral, pale and long-lasting.
Definition
What refined means
In refining, an oil is cleaned in several steps: degummed, neutralised, bleached and deodorised. The result is a neutral, heat-stable oil with a long shelf life.
The price: aroma, colour and some accompanying compounds are lost. Cold-pressed oils do not go through these steps.
In brief
- Advantage: high smoke point, neutral taste, long-lasting , good for frying.
- Disadvantage: less aroma and fewer compounds than cold-pressed.
- Spotting it: terms like „refined“ on the label, often very pale and taste-neutral.
Related terms: Hexane extraction, Cold pressing.
Source
- Cooking oil , Wikipedia