Walnut oil is a delicious, nutty oil made by pressing whole walnuts. It is rich in the omega-3 fatty acid ALA and other unsaturated fatty acids, as well as ellagitannins and other polyphenol compounds that act as antioxidants.
The benefit of cold pressing our walnuts is that they retain numerous nutritional benefits that are lost during high heat or chemical extraction.
What Does It Taste Like
There is a slight woody and nutty note to this amber-coloured oil. Its delicate taste makes walnut oil a great finishing condiment or one that works well used on salads. It is especially good at bringing out the deeper flavours in squash, aged cheese and dark leafy greens.
Easy to add to your diet
Cold-pressed, unrefined walnut oil has a delicious, nutty taste. It is primarily used in salad dressings and other cold dishes.
It typically has a light colour and delicate, nutty taste. The most high-quality walnut oils are cold-pressed and unrefined, as processing and heat can destroy some nutrients and lead to a bitter taste.
It is not recommended to use walnut oil for stir-fries or high-heat cooking. Additionally, most walnut oils can only be kept for 1–2 months in a cool, dry place after being opened before going rancid.
The most common use for walnut oil is as an ingredient in salad dressings with vinegar and seasonings. It also tastes delicious drizzled over steamed vegetables.
Benefits of Walnut Oil:
1. Can boost skin health - Walnuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, including the omega-3 ALA and the omega-6 LA. Consuming walnut oil boosts your intake of essential fatty acids that are vital to skin health.
2. May decrease inflammation - Adding walnut oil to your diet may fight inflammation. Walnut oil may reduce inflammation thanks to its content of ALA
3. Helps lower blood pressure - Walnut oil may help lower high blood pressure. Studies suggest that consuming walnuts and walnut oil may improve blood vessel function and lead to lower blood pressure.
4. Improves blood sugar control - Consuming walnut oil may improve poor blood sugar control associated with type 2 diabetes. Research suggests that consuming walnut oil may help people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar and haemoglobin A1c levels.
5. Improves cholesterol levels - Consuming walnut oil may lead to lower levels of triglycerides and total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can reduce your risk of heart disease.
6. Super Plant Source of Omega-3s - Omega-3 fat from plants, including walnuts, is called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It is an essential fat and is one of the best suitable oil for a healthy diet.
7. Supports Weight Control - Though they are calorie-dense and may even help controlling appetite and hunger.
8. Supports Good Brain Function - It may be just a coincidence that the shell of a walnut looks like a tiny brain, but research suggests that this nut may indeed be good for your mind. Walnuts contain nutrients that may help protect your brain from damaging inflammation and support good brain function as you age.
Try walnut oil:
- Sprinkled on leafy green or fruit salads
- Use as a finishing oil on foods served at room temperature, but as also an elegant addition to a cold dish
- As an oil in a vinaigrette dressing
- Add it to freshly boiled pasta for a special flavour
- It is suitable for pan frying, but try to avoid cooking it at too high of a temperature
If you are cooking for guests, make sure no one is allergic to walnuts before adding them to your dishes.