differences among fats and taste?

Depending on what & how you’re cooking, start with the smoke point. That’s the temperature when it starts to burn (or catch fire). Solid fats have a lower smoke point than the oils, so you want to use lower cooking temps. Solid fats also seem to add more of their own flavour to foods, which can be good or bad, depending on your own preferences. ONLY use solid fats when baking. The bits create air pockets when they melt & that’s what makes cakes, muffins, biscuits, etc. “airy”. Personally, I would advise experimenting (start with what the recipe calls for). Good luck!

I have found that butter has the BEST flavor, however it is hard on your heart (sorry, I know you didn’t want to hear that). Also, butter is very difficult to fry with…..you would have to use ALOT. Olive oil is great for frying, baking, etc. It is supposed to be better for your heart than most other oils. However, it may not be as flavorful as say, butter or corn oil. Margarine is usually 70% vegetable oil, and it taste greasy to me, so I don’t use it. Shortening and lard are probably two of the WORST to cook with. They are ultra-thick and greasy, and as soon as they cool off even a few degrees, they quickly turn into a solid. So basically, you’ll end up with a vaseline-like texture glazed over your food…..YUK!!!!

So……Butter taste fantastic, it’s great for cooking/baking into your foods. Olive oil is better for frying (oh yeah…the “Extra Light Tasting” Olive oil is pretty good). Good Luck and Happy Cooking!

Everything you wanted to know about fats and more.

Butter-Flavored Oils/Shortenings Vegetable oils (usually blended) flavored with real or artificial butter flavor for use on griddles. Hydrogenated shortening used for baking goods, pastries.
Canola Oil
(Rapeseed oil) A light, golden-colored oil, similar to safflower oil. Low in saturated fat. Extracted from the seeds of a plant in the turnip family (the same plant as the vegetable broccoli rabe). Used in salads and cooking, mostly in the Mediterranean region and India; also used in margarine and blended vegetable oils.
Coconut Oil A heavy, nearly colorless oil extracted from fresh coconuts. Used primarily in blended oils and shortenings. Used primarily in prepared, processed, packaged foods.
Corn Oil A mild-flavored refined oil. It is medium-yellow colored, inexpensive, and versatile.
Cottonseed Oil This pale-yellow oil is extracted from seed of the cotton plant. Used for frying.
Frying Fats Blended oils or shortenings (usually based on processed corn or peanut oils) designed for high smoke point and long fry life. May be liquid or solid at room temperature.
Grapeseed Oil This light, medium-yellow, aromatic oil is a by-product of wine making. It is used in salads and some cooking and in the manufacture of margarine.
Lard Solid animal fat. May be treated to neutralize flavor.
Olive Oil Oil varies in weight and may be pale-yellow to deep-green depending on fruit used and processing. Cold-pressed olive oil, is superior in flavor to refined. Oil from the first pressing, called “virgin” olive oil is the most flavorful. Also classified according to acidity: extra virgin, superfine, fine, virgin, and pure, in ascending degree of acidity. “Pure” olive oil, and that labeled just “olive oil” may be a combination of cold-pressed and refined oil; suitable for cooking.
Click HERE to view an in depth article published by CCF on Olive Oils
Oil Sprays Vegetable oils (usually blended) packaged in pump or aerosol sprays for lightly coating pans and griddles.
Peanut Oil A pale-yellow refined oil, with a very subtle scent and flavor. Some less-refined types are darker with a more pronounced peanut flavor. These are used primarily in Asian cooking.
Safflower Oil A golden-color oil with a light texture. Made from a plant that resembles the thistle. Usually refined.
Salad Oil Mild flavored vegetable oils blended for use in salad dressings, mayonnaise, etc.
Sesame Oil Two types: a light, very mild, Middle Eastern type and a darker Asian type pressed from toasted sesame seeds. Asian sesame oil may be light or dark brown. The darker oil has a more pronounced sesame flavor and aroma. Asian sesame oil has a low smoke point so it is used primarily as a flavoring rather than in cooking.
Shortening/Baking Fat Blended oil solidified using various processes, including whipping in air and hydrogenation. Designed for plasticity and mild flavor. May have real or artificial butter flavor added. Usually emulsified to enable absorption of more sugar in baked goods. May contain animal fats unless labeled “vegetable shortening.”
Soybean Oil A fairly heavy oil with a pronounced flavor and aroma. More soybean oil is produced than any other type. Used in most blended vegetable oils and margarines.
Sunflower Oil A light, odorless and nearly flavorless oil pressed from sunflower seeds. Pale yellow and versatile.
Vegetable Oil Made by blending several different refined oils. Designed to have a mild flavor and a high smoke point.
Walnut Oil A medium-yellow oil with a nutty flavor and aroma. Cold-pressed from dried walnuts. More perishable than most other oils; should be used soon after purchase. Used primarily in salads. (Other nut oils include almond, hazelnut, and peanut above.)