Peanut Oil

What is Peanut Oil?

Peanut oil, also known as Groundnut oil, is a popular vegetable oil that is derived from peanuts, which are native to South America. The oil has a mild flavor and is widely used in cooking, particularly in South Asian, Southeast Asian, and African cuisines. Peanut oil has a high smoke point, which makes it ideal for frying and sautéing. It is also used as a salad dressing and in the preparation of various sauces and marinades.

Peanut oil is a rich source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including oleic acid and linoleic acid, which are beneficial for heart health. It also contains vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that helps protect the body against oxidative damage. Peanut oil is also a good source of phytosterols, which have cholesterol-lowering properties.

In addition to its culinary uses, peanut oil is also used in some non-food applications, such as in the production of soaps, cosmetics, and biofuels. It is a versatile and widely available oil that is used in many different ways around the world.

Peanut Oil Production in the World

China is the top country producing Peanut Oil in the world. As of 2021, China produced 1,844,700 tonnes of Peanut Oil, accounting for 38.83% of the total production. India is the world's second-largest Peanut Oil producer, with 776,500 tonnes, which represents 16.35% of the total production. Nigeria(364,100) is the 3rd country, Myanmar(195,300) is the 4th country, and Senegal(153,500) is the 5th country in the world producing Peanut Oil. St. Kitts and Nevis has the lowest production of Peanut Oil in the world with only 17 tonnes in 2021. The world's total production of peanut oil was estimated at 4,750,381 tonnes in 2021.

Source: FAOSTAT

Top 10 Countries by Peanut Oil Production in 2021

Top Countries by Production of Peanut Oil in 2021

Rank	Country	Production(Tonnes)
1	China	1,844,700
2	India	776,500
3	Nigeria	364,100
4	Myanmar	195,300
5	Senegal	153,500
6	Sudan	140,000
7	United States	132,000
8	Guinea	115,593
9	Brazil	80,600
10	Cameroon	64,300
11	Chad	64,000
12	Argentina	62,862
13	Malawi	56,500
14	Ghana	48,948
15	Niger	46,200
16	Netherlands	40,500
17	Benin	32,000
18	Angola	30,133
19	Vietnam	29,700
20	Algeria	29,531
21	Central African Republic	28,000
22	Pakistan	26,388
23	Mali	25,000
24	Indonesia	23,986
25	Nicaragua	23,100
26	Democratic Republic of the Congo	22,233
27	Burkina Faso	21,700
28	Poland	19,000
29	Bangladesh	18,043
30	Guinea-Bissau	17,557
31	Cote d'Ivoire	17,400
32	Egypt	16,251
33	Morocco	14,102
34	Mozambique	12,094
35	Thailand	12,000
36	Sierra Leone	11,512
37	Rwanda	10,541
38	Uganda	9,755
39	Philippines	9,710
40	Zimbabwe	7,900
41	Belgium	7,291
42	Iraq	6,096
43	Taiwan	5,800
44	The Gambia	5,000
45	Lao PDR	4,960
46	Ethiopia	4,950
47	Italy	4,800
48	Mexico	4,800
49	Tanzania	4,557
50	Lebanon	3,970
51	Zambia	3,911
52	Greece	3,777
53	Nepal	3,728
54	Malaysia	3,440
55	Portugal	3,300
56	Paraguay	2,800
57	Republic of Congo	2,773
58	United Arab Emirates	2,332
59	Dominican Republic	1,910
60	Saudi Arabia	1,531
61	Switzerland	1,330
62	South Korea	1,306
63	Czech Republic	1,300
64	Burundi	1,171
65	Togo	1,093
66	Australia	1,000
67	Kuwait	961
68	Denmark	953
69	Singapore	800
70	Bolivia	779
71	Sri Lanka	721
72	Cambodia	493
73	Trinidad and Tobago	461
74	Japan	384
75	South Africa	367
76	Venezuela	315
77	Guatemala	296
78	Uruguay	295
79	Mauritania	285
80	Botswana	240
81	Slovakia	200
82	Tonga	180
83	Madagascar	144
84	Albania	122
85	Turkiye	85
86	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	65
87	Cuba	53
88	St. Kitts and Nevis	17

Composition of Nutrients in Peanut Oil

The composition of peanut oil varies depending on the type and quality of the oil. However, in general, peanut oil is composed of:

Fatty acids: Peanut oil is primarily composed of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, including oleic acid (about 48-74%), linoleic acid (about 14-40%), and palmitic acid (about 7-15%).
Vitamins: Peanut oil is a good source of vitamin E(3-11 mg/100 g), which is an antioxidant that helps protect the body against oxidative damage.
Phytosterols: Peanut oil contains phytosterols(250-400 mg/100 g), which are plant-based compounds that have cholesterol-lowering properties.
Other minor components: Peanut oil also contains small amounts of other components such as lecithin, tocopherols, and squalene.

It is important to note that the exact composition of peanut oil can vary depending on factors such as the quality of the peanuts, the processing method used to extract the oil, and the storage conditions.

Nutritional Information of Peanut Oil

Peanut oil is a good source of healthy unsaturated fats, vitamins, and other nutrients. Here are some of the key nutrients found in peanut oil:

Calories: One tablespoon (about 14 grams) of peanut oil contains around 120 calories.
Fatty acids: Peanut oil contains mainly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are considered healthy fats. These fats help reduce the risk of heart disease, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, and increase HDL (good) cholesterol.
Vitamin E: Peanut oil is a good source of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that helps protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Phytosterols: Peanut oil contains phytosterols, which are plant-based compounds that help lower cholesterol levels in the body.
Other nutrients: Peanut oil also contains small amounts of other nutrients, such as magnesium, zinc, and potassium.

It is important to note that peanut oil is high in calories and fat, so it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Different Types of Peanut Oil

There are different types of peanut oil available in the market, each with its unique characteristics. Some of the common types of peanut oil include:

Refined peanut oil: This is the most commonly used type of peanut oil. It is refined, bleached, and deodorized, which removes impurities and gives it a neutral taste and aroma. It has a high smoke point, making it suitable for deep-frying and other high-temperature cooking methods.
Cold-pressed peanut oil: This is an unrefined type of peanut oil, which is made by pressing the peanuts at low temperatures. This retains the natural flavor, aroma, and nutrients of the peanuts. However, it has a lower smoke point and is not suitable for high-temperature cooking.
Roasted peanut oil: This is made by roasting the peanuts before pressing them. It has a stronger flavor and aroma compared to other types of peanut oil and is often used in Asian and African cuisines.
Organic peanut oil: This is made from organic, non-GMO peanuts and is free from any chemical additives or preservatives. It is often more expensive than other types of peanut oil.
High-oleic peanut oil: This type of peanut oil has a higher content of oleic acid, which makes it more stable and suitable for use in commercial food products, such as salad dressings, margarine, and baked goods.

Uses of Peanut Oil

Peanut oil has a variety of uses in cooking, as well as in other industries. Here are some common uses of peanut oil:

Cooking oil: Peanut oil is commonly used as a cooking oil due to its high smoke point, which means it can be used at high temperatures without burning. It is often used in deep frying, stir-frying, and sautéing.
Salad dressing: Peanut oil can be used to make salad dressings, as it has a mild, nutty flavor that pairs well with many types of salad.
Baking: Peanut oil can also be used in baking as a substitute for other oils or butter.
Beauty and skincare: Peanut oil is used in many beauty and skincare products due to its moisturizing and nourishing properties. It is often found in soaps, lotions, and hair care products.
Industrial uses: Peanut oil is also used in the manufacturing of various products, such as paints, varnishes, and lubricants.

It is important to note that some people may be allergic to peanuts, so it is important to use caution when consuming or using peanut oil.

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