Why Cooking With Essential Oils is Trending
Essential oils are unique in that they have such a broad range of uses. Although they are most often used in aromatherapy, perfumes, cosmetics, and massage, increasingly more people are bringing them into the kitchen as they learn about the advantages of cooking with essential oils. Cooking with essential oils is an activity that’s rapidly picking up momentum among health-conscious food lovers with a penchant for experimenting with cooking trends.
Indeed, essential oils are a perfect addition to many flavorful recipes as they blend well with other oils and there are a wide variety of flavors and aromas available. Today’s cooks aren’t afraid to combine them with many different herbs, spices, and oils to give time-tested recipes new life or create something innovative. Essential oils save time and energy in cooking; it’s easier to add a drop or two of a strongly-flavored oil than to slice or chop and cook the whole ingredient.
Having a variety of essential oils on hand opens the door to a whole new world of culinary possibilities. Many people are aware of popular aromas such as rose, lavender, and tea tree oil. However, these are only a few of the endless options available. You can also find onion, garlic, mustard, and horseradish essential oils, to name just a few options that are entirely at home on the stove top. Some interesting combinations are peppermint or ginger essential oil with vanilla ice cream, lemon essential oil in a steak marinade, and orange essential oil in chocolate.
Besides their flavor benefits, essential oils are often used for their health benefits. For instance, adding ginger essential oil to your recipes can help promote healthy stomach acid production, and it’s also an anti-inflammatory. Essential oils such as thyme, garlic, rosemary, and basil can help control bacterial growth. Lemon, lavender, and peppermint can help prepare your body for digestion, which begins with your sense of smell.
There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking with essential oils. First, much smaller quantities are required to achieve the same flavor. In general, one drop of essential oil will replace a teaspoon, and only a drop or two is typically needed for most recipes. Also, essential oils should be diluted in another oil or fat because doing so prevents you from consuming a much-concentrated oil and helps distribute the flavor of the essential oils evenly throughout the dish. Essential oils should also be added near the end of the cooking process because their flavor will dissipate quickly when overheated.
There’s never been a better time to experiment with these versatile oils and come up with your own delicious recipes and besides – it’s fun! Using essential oils is an efficient way to transform your favorite recipes with no added effort. From soups, stews, and sauces to salad dressings and even beverages, there’s no shortage of ways to use essential oils in home or commercial cooking. Why not experiment with some great combinations today?