Tea seed oil, also known as Camellia oil, is a cold pressed oil famed for its rich antioxidant properties.
It is a common ingredient in so many things that you may not expect, such as different luxury beauty products including cult favorites NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Golden Shimmer Multi Usage Dry Oil and PIXI Double Cleanse.
However, believe it or not, tea seed oil or camellia oil if you prefer to call it that, can be used as an edible oil for drizzling and cooking.
That is just what we are going to be discussing in today’s article! We want to explore the use of the high in antioxidant oil known as tea seed oil! We will be exploring exactly what tea seed oil is and its properties and sharing some delicious foods that it goes well with.
So, if you are interested in this delicious multi use cooking oil and are curious about its benefits, this is the article for you!
What is tea seed oil?
Tea seed oil, as the name suggests, is extracted from the seeds of a plant called the Camellia oleifera. It is also called camellia oil. It has been shown to have very similar properties to that of olive oil, meaning that it lends itself well to cooking.
It is grown mainly in China where it gets cultivated for a number of different uses. The Camellia oleifera flower is very fragrant and is colored white. The plant produces one flower on each stem in the late fall months.
It is the seeds in particular that are important to the cultivators as this is what makes the tea seed oil. These are removed before being pressed (usually cold pressed) to gain the oil.
What are the benefits of tea seed oil?
Tea seed oil is heralded for its wonderful health benefits. For example, it contains a compound called catechins which are also present in green tea. These are high antioxidants and so have many health benefits.
As well as this, they have low in omega 6 which is desirable for those who are on an anti inflammatory diet, as well as being high in monounsaturated fat (an essential fat needed in all diets).
Other benefits include the fact that it is versatile, easy to use, and burns at a very high heat making it suitable for high temperature cooking.
As well as this as you will know it also has many health benefits and cosmetic related benefits. Its high antioxidant properties mean it works well in moisturizers and other skincare products and is said to help inflammation and treat burns.
What is tea seed oil used for?
In China where it is grown, it is a very popular cooking oil. Around the world, it has traditionally been used for its moisturizing and rejuvenating properties in skincare and cosmetics, but it is fast becoming a popular cooking product.
People use it for frying, roasting, and baking as it is light and can withstand high temperatures. It is likened to olive oil and is used for many of the same purposes.
The tea seed oil also has medicinal uses and practical uses. For example, it is often used on children as a form of baby lotion, or as an ingredient in lotions themselves. Some people also used this oil to treat burns and other injuries on the skin.
It can be used as a dietary supplement to help the digestive system and has even been thought to help manage cholesterol. In a practical sense, it is used in Asia to prevent cutlery made from carbon steel from rusting.
How can you use tea seed oil for cooking?
Tea seed oil is the main cooking oil used in the Hunan Province of China. The smoke point of this delicious oil is much higher than typical cooking oils such as olive and coconut.
As such it is a great choice for high temperature cooking. It has a smoke point of 486 degrees Fahrenheit to be exact which is pretty impressive. This means you can easily fry with it, bake with it, or even roast or saute!
As well as cooking with it, it is also a great choice of oil to use when drizzling. For example, if you are looking for an oil to drizzle on a stir fry or salad, this works really well. We love to drizzle it on top of stir fried veggies such as broccoli and spring greens or create a salad dressing with it.
It also works well with citrusy flavors, as well as roasted Mediterranean veggies. Of course, any Asian cuisine is well suited to this oil, too, so make sure to try it in your favorite Asian inspired dishes.
As well as this, it stores super well thanks to the fatty acids inside which can protect it from oxidation and heat. This means you can keep a bottle in your store cupboard for a long time and use it for cooking whenever you like.
What is the taste of tea seed oil?
The flavor of the tea seed oil is very light. It is a contrast to the strong flavors of coconut oil and olive oil. It tastes very mild and as such it goes well with any flavors, even those that are overpowering. This is because it compliments flavors well and will not take away from them.
As well as this, it has a slightly nutty taste which makes it perfect for stir fries. It is also great for people who want something with a nutty taste but have to avoid actual nuts for whatever reason. You will love this oil if you like grapeseed oil or want something similar to olive oil but without the bitterness that it often has.
It tastes fresh and clean, making it a great accompaniment to dishes such as salads and other raw veggies. Try some for yourself today by picking up a bottle on Amazon, and you will see just how wonderfully tasty it is!
