Walnut oil
Encyclopedia
Walnut oil is oil
extracted from English walnuts (also known as Persian walnuts). It is about 50% linoleic acid
, an essential
omega-6 fatty acid. Walnut oil is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which are also essential to human nutrition
.
Walnut oil is edible and is generally used less than other oils in food preparation, often due to high pricing. It is light-coloured and delicate in flavour and scent, with a nutty quality. Although sometimes used for pan frying, most chefs do not use walnut oil for high temperature cooking, as heating can remove some of the oil's flavour & nutrition and produce a slight bitterness; instead it is used primarily as an ingredient in cold dishes such as salad dressings, where its flavour more easily comes through. In addition, the antioxidants present in the oil are easily destroyed in cooking.
Most walnut oil is produced in France
, though there are also producers in Australia
, New Zealand
and California.
painters. Its short drying time and lack of yellow tint make it a good oil paint
base thinner
and brush cleaner. However, the paint film it produces is considered by some to be inferior to that of linseed oil
.
Commercially, walnut oil has become harder to find; demand is often low, and stock can become rancid if stored in bright, warm or ventilated containers. Instead of walnut oil, many artists and stores sell linseed oil
, poppyseed oil
, and safflower oil as replacements. Recently, the problem of rancidity has been solved with the introduction of commercial alkali refined walnut oil paints and mediums.
Walnut oil is favoured by some woodworkers
as a finish for implements that will come in contact with food, such as cutting boards and wooden bowls. When creating your own oil & wax wood finish, walnut oil is an excellent choice, due to its edibility and resistance to oxidation (going rancid). It should be combined with beeswax in a mixture of 1/3 oil to 2/3 beeswax.
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
extracted from English walnuts (also known as Persian walnuts). It is about 50% linoleic acid
Linoleic acid
Linoleic acid is an unsaturated n-6 fatty acid. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature. In physiological literature, it has a lipid number of 18:2...
, an essential
Essential fatty acid
Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids that humans and other animals must ingest because the body requires them for good health but cannot synthesize them...
omega-6 fatty acid. Walnut oil is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which are also essential to human nutrition
Essential fatty acid
Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids that humans and other animals must ingest because the body requires them for good health but cannot synthesize them...
.
Culinary use
Most walnut oil is produced in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, though there are also producers in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and California.
Artistic use
Walnut oil was one of the most important oils used by RenaissanceRenaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
painters. Its short drying time and lack of yellow tint make it a good oil paint
Oil paint
Oil paint is a type of slow-drying paint that consists of particles of pigment suspended in a drying oil, commonly linseed oil. The viscosity of the paint may be modified by the addition of a solvent such as turpentine or white spirit, and varnish may be added to increase the glossiness of the...
base thinner
Paint thinner
A paint thinner is a solvent used to thin oil-based paints or clean up after their use, although all such solvents have other uses. Commercially, "paint thinner" is usually a name for mineral spirits.Products used as paint thinners include:*Mineral spirits...
and brush cleaner. However, the paint film it produces is considered by some to be inferior to that of linseed oil
Linseed oil
Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is a clear to yellowish oil obtained from the dried ripe seeds of the flax plant . The oil is obtained by cold pressing, sometimes followed by solvent extraction...
.
Commercially, walnut oil has become harder to find; demand is often low, and stock can become rancid if stored in bright, warm or ventilated containers. Instead of walnut oil, many artists and stores sell linseed oil
Linseed oil
Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is a clear to yellowish oil obtained from the dried ripe seeds of the flax plant . The oil is obtained by cold pressing, sometimes followed by solvent extraction...
, poppyseed oil
Poppyseed oil
Poppyseed oil is an edible oil from poppy seeds . The oil has culinary and pharmaceutical uses, as well as long established uses in the making of paints, varnishes, and soaps.Poppy seeds yield 45–50% oil...
, and safflower oil as replacements. Recently, the problem of rancidity has been solved with the introduction of commercial alkali refined walnut oil paints and mediums.
Walnut oil is favoured by some woodworkers
Woodworking
Woodworking is the process of building, making or carving something using wood.-History:Along with stone, mud, and animal parts, wood was one of the first materials worked by early humans. Microwear analysis of the Mousterian stone tools used by the Neanderthals show that many were used to work wood...
as a finish for implements that will come in contact with food, such as cutting boards and wooden bowls. When creating your own oil & wax wood finish, walnut oil is an excellent choice, due to its edibility and resistance to oxidation (going rancid). It should be combined with beeswax in a mixture of 1/3 oil to 2/3 beeswax.