India has a unique spectrum of culinary options, and each area has its respective habits, seasonality, ingredients, and distinctive flavours. However, there is one unsung hero in every regional recipe that dictates the success of the dish: the oil.

For example, mustard oil is predominant in Bengali cuisine, cottonseed oil is used in Gujarati homes, and the refined soyabean oil is used in North Indian street food to create crispy textures. The oil you choose can elevate the authenticity behind the dish and its preparation process.

Let’s look at three iconic Indian recipes and pair each with the most effective cooking oil!

Bengali Shorshe Maach and the Boldness of Mustard Oil

The very soul of Bengal lives in Shorshe Maach, a mustard paste, turmeric, chillies, and mustard oil fish curry. It is all about big, punchy, and strong flavour, and using the wrong oil will flatten the dish's flavour profile.

It's not only the flavour, but mustard oil's cooking properties are so crucial to this dish. No oil can match the sharpness of the mustard oil aroma, the earthiness of its pungency, or the way it cuts through the richness of fish; there is no substitute for mustard oil in Bengali cooking.

Reasons why mustard oil is an essential ingredient for this preparation:

• It has a high smoke point, making it ideal for deep frying fish without any concern for burning
• The sharp aroma goes so well with the heat of the green chillies and mustard paste
• It has a high omega-3 and 6 fat content
• Gives a distinctive and authentic flavour that cannot be substituted with any other oil

When choosing mustard oil in dishes such as this, purity is key. Pure mustard oil is what gives the fish its golden crunch sear, and the mustard gravy, its bold edge.

Gujarati Undhiyu and the Brilliance of Cottonseed Oil

Undhiyu, a Gujarati dish celebrating winter vegetables, is a slow-cooked, one-pot meal that is nutritious, wholesome and indulging. It is full of vegetables that include surti papdi, yam, brinjal and fenugreek dumplings – all packed in aroma and spices. Undhiyu requires an oil that is light, neutral, and stable under heat, and this is where cottonseed oil comes in.

Cottonseed oil is a subtle oil that doesn’t overpower the vegetables and mild masalas typically used in Undhiyu. As it is cooked slowly, the dish can develop depth without becoming heavy and greasy.

Reasons cottonseed oil is the best match for Gujarati Undhiyu:

• Cottonseed oil has a neutral taste, allowing the spices and vegetables to take centre stage.
• It has good polyunsaturated fat content, along with Vitamin A & D, making it a heart-friendly choice.
• Cottonseed oil holds up well during the long cooking process
• It leaves a clean finish to dishes with no aftertaste.

Cottonseed oil's nutrition profile provides a good balance of nutrients and strength as an everyday oil for cooking if used responsibly.

Punjabi Aloo Tikki and the Crispiness of Refined Soyabean Oil

When you think of street food in North India, it's hard not to think of Aloo Tikki. This crispy, golden brown potato patty is commonly found at the heart of chaats and snacks, and it relies on the proper frying oil to provide that delightful, crunchy texture.

Refined soyabean oil heats up fast, has little or no strong flavour, and less oil is absorbed into food; therefore, snacks are less heavy.

Reasons why soyabean oil works so well for Aloo Tikki:

• Outstanding heat tolerance provides for consistent browning and crispiness<
• Contains omega-3 & 6 fatty acids<
• Perfect for foods that you want to remain crunchy without that greasy feeling<

Soyabean oil is being used in Indian households regularly, it is due to its versatility. From dishes for stir-fries to snacks, refined soyabean oil delivers a terrific balance between performance and taste.

Choosing the Right Oils for Indian Cooking

The oil you are using is not just a cooking medium, it is a medium of flavour and texture, often an unsung ingredient in recipes in a regional cooking style.

By matching the correct oil with the correct cuisine, you are not only enhancing flavour, you are remaining true to the authentic taste of that dish.

The Vibhor Way

If you are looking to make that switch to smarter, regionally appropriate oils, Vibhor provides a carefully selected range of cooking oils derived from pureness and performance.

From pungent, golden Kachi Ghani mustard oil to refined soyabean oil for everyday frying, or light cottonseed oil for easy cooking, Vibhor offers a great selection of oils for the food and lifestyle you consume. Preferred by home kitchens and food professionals alike, Vibhor brings you oils that are quality-fresh and capture oil for Indian cooking, in the way you should.