Avocado oil is an
edible oil extracted from the pulp of
avocados, the fruit of Persea americana. It is used as an edible oil both raw and for cooking, where it is noted for its high smoke point. It is also used for lubrication and in
cosmetics.[1]
Avocado oil has an exceptionally high
smoke point: 250 °C (482 °F) for unrefined oil and 271 °C (520 °F) for refined.[1] The exact smoke point depends on the quality of refinement and the way the oil is stored.
Uses
Avocado oil functions well as a carrier oil for other flavors. It is high in
monounsaturated fats and
vitamin E, and also enhances the absorption of
carotenoids and other nutrients.[2]
Following drying of the avocado flesh to remove as much water as possible (the flesh is about 65% water), oil for
cosmetics is usually extracted with
solvents at elevated temperatures. After extraction, it is usually refined, bleached, and deodorized, resulting in an odorless yellow oil.[1] Edible cold-pressed avocado oil is generally unrefined, like extra virgin olive oil, so it retains the flavor and color characteristics of the fruit flesh.[3]
Potential adulteration
A study performed at the
University of California, Davis in 2020 determined that a majority of the domestic and imported avocado oil sold in the US was rancid before its expiration date or was
adulterated with other oils.[4][5] In some cases, the researchers found that bottles labeled as "pure" or "extra virgin" avocado oil contained nearly 100%
soybean oil.[4]
Properties
Avocado oil is one of few edible oils not derived from seeds; it is pressed from the fleshy pulp surrounding the avocado pit.[6] Unrefined avocado oil from the
'Hass' cultivar has a characteristic flavor, is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, and has a high smoke point (≥250 °C or 482 °F), making it a good oil for frying. 'Hass' cold-pressed avocado oil is a brilliant emerald green when extracted; the color is attributed to high levels of chlorophylls and carotenoids; it has been described as having an avocado flavor, with grassy and butter/mushroom-like flavors. Other varieties may produce oils of slightly different flavor profile; 'Fuerte' has been described as having more mushroom and less avocado flavor.[3]
Avocado oil has a similar monounsaturated fat profile to olive oil. Avocado oil is naturally low acidic, helping to increase smoke point. Unrefined avocado oil can be safely heated to 480 °F (249 °C). Both unrefined and refined avocado oil can safely be used for almost any high-heat cooking, including baking, stir-frying, deep-frying, searing, barbecuing, roasting, and sauteing. Like all oils, the more refined, the higher the smoke point. Each 30 mL of avocado oil contains 3.6 mg of
Vitamin E and 146.1 mg of
beta-sitosterol.
The following table provides information about the composition of avocado oil and how it compares with other vegetable oils.
Properties of
vegetable oils[7][8] The nutritional values are expressed as percent (%) by mass of total fat.
^"Avocado oil". Purdue University Center for New Crops and Plants Products. 1999-02-18. Retrieved 2013-07-13.
^
abc"US National Nutrient Database, Release 28". United States Department of Agriculture. May 2016. All values in this table are from this database unless otherwise cited or when italicized as the simple arithmetic sum of other component columns.
^"Avocado oil, fat composition, 100 g". US National Nutrient Database, Release 28, United States Department of Agriculture. May 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
^"Brazil nut oil, fat composition, 100 g". US National Nutrient Database, Release 28, United States Department of Agriculture. May 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
^"Canola oil, fat composition, 100 g". US National Nutrient Database, Release 28, United States Department of Agriculture. May 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
^"Coconut oil, fat composition, 100 g". US National Nutrient Database, Release 28, United States Department of Agriculture. May 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
^Callaway J, Schwab U, Harvima I, Halonen P, Mykkänen O, Hyvönen P, Järvinen T (April 2005). "Efficacy of dietary hempseed oil in patients with atopic dermatitis". The Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 16 (2): 87–94.
doi:
10.1080/09546630510035832.
PMID16019622.
S2CID18445488.
^"Palm oil, fat composition, 100 g". US National Nutrient Database, Release 28, United States Department of Agriculture. May 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
^Orthoefer FT (2005). "Chapter 10: Rice Bran Oil". In Shahidi F (ed.). Bailey's Industrial Oil and Fat Products. Vol. 2 (6th ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p. 465.
doi:
10.1002/047167849X.
ISBN978-0-471-38552-3.