Shopping for cooking oil can feel like finding a wedding dress, there's so many to choose from, your mother-in-law has a different opinion, and the sales person is no help. Is egg-shell white that different from ivory? Do I need extra-virgin or light oil? What is a canola? So with all this noise, how do you choose the right one? We are hear to break down how to select the right oil for you! 

The Basics: Know Your Oils

Olive Oil: Our star of the cooking show. Olive oils are known for their heart-healthy fats, tasty olivey flavor, and the range of forms (extra virgin, virgin, regular).

Canola Oil: A popular option with mild to no flavor, heavy refinement allows for high heat frying (500F+).

Vegetable Oil: Typically a blend of oils such as soybean, corn, and or sunflower. 

Coconut Oil: Identifiable by its low melting point and fruity tropical flavor. 

Avocado Oil: High in monounsaturated fats and high smoke point, very tasty if not rancid (make sure you're buying fresh/non-blended). 

Olive Oil: The MVP

When it comes to versatility, health benefits, and flavor we find that olive oil reigns supreme. Now that we have given you a section of the grocery shelf to focus on, it's still important to note that not all olive oils are created equal. 

When you look at an olive oil bottle, check first which kind of olive oil it is. 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO): Made from cold-pressed olives, there is no added chemicals or extra heat. EVOO can be identified by its rich flavor and plethora of antioxidants. 

Virgin Olive Oil: Virgin olive oil has undergone an extra round of heat, so it might be able to take higher heats (500F+), but virgin oil has lost some of the antioxidants and strength in flavor.

Regular Olive Oil: Sometimes labeled as "pure" or "light" olive oil. Regular olive oil is often an ultra refined oil that is cut with virgin or extra virgin olive oil to give back some of the flavor the oil lost to chemicals and heat. It can take very high smoke points, but it won't contribute the health benefits or taste profile that EVOO and VOO provide. 

Making the Right Choice

We love to make things easy, squeezy so we recommend choosing an EVOO that accentuates taste in any dish, offers antioxidants and polyphenol power ups, and can take the heat. 

Sizzle is Graza's trusty cooking oil, it can take the heat (up to 420F), is derived from cold pressed Picual olives that are never cut nor blended with other oils, and offers a mellow olivey taste that accents but doesn't overpower your dish. 

We have a special place in our hearts (and pantries) for olive oil.

Now You're Ready to Take on the Grocery Shelves

Choosing the right cooking oil is all about understanding your cooking needs and taste preferences. Whether you’re whipping up a quick stir-fry, baking a cake, or finishing a gourmet salad, there’s an oil out there that’s perfect for the job (we think it's olive oil). Happy cooking!