FAQ

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Where can I purchase LouAna® cooking oils?

 

You can use our Product Locator to find grocery and retail stores near you that carry LouAna® cooking oils. If you have additional questions on where to purchase LouAna® products, please call: 1-800-723-3652.

What are the nutritional facts for LouAna® cooking oils?

 

Please visit the Products section of this site to find the nutrition facts for all LouAna products. On each of the individual product pages, there is a “Nutrition Facts” button. Just click that to view the related chart.

How do I find out about the Tony Chachere products mentioned in some LouAna recipes?

 

Visit www.tonychachere.com

Is peanut oil safe for people with peanut allergies?

 

The FDA exempts highly refined peanut oil from being labeled as an allergen. Studies have shown that most individuals with peanut allergies can safely eat refined peanut oil (but not cold-pressed, expelled or extruded peanut oil).¹

¹ http://www.peanut-institute.org/eating-well/allergy/peanut-oil-no-allergens.asp

Where do LouAna oils come from?

 

All of our oil is bottled in the United States, but we source our different oil types from a variety of locations:
Our Vegetable oil comes from the United States.
Our Canola oil comes from the United States and Canada.
Most of our Peanut oil comes from the United States (Georgia, Alabama and Texas), but we do source some crude Peanut oil from Argentina, which is then processed in the U.S.
Our Coconut oil comes from the Philippines and Indonesia and is refined in the U.S.
Our Safflower oil comes from California.

What percentage MCTs do your coconut oils have?

 

Our regular Coconut oil has 15 to 20% MCT based on the C8 and C10 chains.

Our Liquid Coconut oil has 80 to 85% MCT.

Are coconuts considered nuts?

 

While coconuts are classified by the FDA as tree nuts and fall under those labeling laws, they are actually fruits. Coconut allergies are rare and have not been shown to be linked with peanut or tree nut allergies.²

² http://allergicliving.com/2013/06/12/are-coconuts-safe-with-tree-nut-allergy/

TURKEY-FRYING QUESTIONS

Why isn't deep-fried turkey greasy?

 

Because of the high heat of the oil, the turkey skin quickly sears and keeps the juices inside. This means exceptionally moist turkey meat and a wonderfully crisp skin.³

³ http://www.turkeyfrying.net/

What cooking oils are recommended for turkey frying?

 

Only oils with high smoke points should be used to deep-fry turkeys.⁴ Peanut oil has a high smoke point and provides the best flavor according to many Cajun chefs and cooks. LouAna® Peanut Oil adds flavor during the cooking process and sears the outside of the turkey quickly, which seals in the flavor of the marinade. If peanut oil is not available, a blend of peanut and soybean oil, such as LouAna® Southern Fry Oil can be used.

⁴ “Deep Fat Frying and Food Safety,” USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/deep-fat-frying-and-food-safety/ct_index

How much oil should I use when deep-frying a turkey?

 

Always make sure your fryer or skillet is not overfilled with oil. Most fryers have a recommended fill line. If there is no fill line, you can determine this by first placing your turkey in the fryer, then fill with water until the bird is covered. Remove the bird and the remaining water level will show you the appropriate fill level for oil. Be sure all the water is removed from the fryer and that the fryer is thoroughly dried before putting the oil in. Be sure the bird is also dry and that no water is in the turkey’s cavity before placing it in the hot oil.⁵

⁵ “Deep Fat Frying and Food Safety,” USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/deep-fat-frying-and-food-safety/ct_index

Isn't frying turkey dangerous?

 

 

Any cooking process involving high heat or hot oil can be dangerous if the operator is careless or negligent. The best way to ensure a safe turkey-frying experience is to pay careful attention to each of the safety tips offered on this web site. For more specific information, check out these tips: Turkey Frying Safety.⁶

⁶ “Deep Fat Frying and Food Safety,” USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/safe-food-handling/deep-fat-frying-and-food-safety/ct_index

Why does the hot oil foam up when food is added to it?

 

All foods contain moisture. When moisture from food comes into contact with hot cooking oil, it foams or boils. This means that the water or moisture that was in the food is being released. Always make sure that your fryer or skillet is not more than 1/3 full with oil to prevent spillage. Also, make sure that the turkey is totally thawed (if it was previously frozen) and that it is as dry as possible before adding to hot oil. Always use tongs when adding food to hot oil. LouAna® Peanut Oil is specially formulated to help minimize foaming.

What's the best way to carve a turkey?

 

To get the most white meat from a turkey, you must first remove the drumstick and thigh by pulling the leg away from the body. Cut dark meat completely from the body by following its contour carefully with a knife. The joint connecting the leg to the backbone may be severed with the point of a knife.

Place each drumstick and thigh on a cutting surface and cut through the connecting joint. Slice the drumstick evenly and parallel to the bone.

Carving the breast: First, make a base cut by placing a knife parallel and as close to the wing as possible. Make a deep cut into the breast, cutting to the bone. This is your base cut. All breast slices will stop at this horizontal cut. After making the base cut, slice the breast by carving downward, ending at the base cut. Keep slices thin and even.

COCONUT OIL QUESTIONS

Can I use coconut oil instead of butter in recipes? If so, how much do I use?

 

With no coconut aroma or taste to alter the flavor of your food, LouAna® 100% Pure Coconut Oil is a delicious alternative to butter, plus has zero trans fats and no cholesterol. In recipes requiring butter, you can easily substitute in coconut oil at a ratio of 1:1. It’s best to measure out coconut oil in its solid form when substituting for butter. For baking, it’s best to use coconut oil in recipes that specifically call for it. This is because coconut oil has a different water content than butter and may vary baking results. Check out our delicious Recipes section for ideas.

How do I melt coconut oil?

 

There are several convenient ways to melt LouAna Coconut Oil. You can stir the oil in a pan over low heat on the stove. If you prefer using a microwave, you can heat the coconut oil in a bowl for 15 seconds at a time, stirring in between. Lastly, you can fill a sink or large bowl with hot water and set the coconut oil jar in the water until the oil melts. Remember to allow melted coconut oil to cool slightly before measuring it out.

How do I mix coconut oil into a recipe?

 

LouAna Coconut Oil mixes best at room temperature. It’s ideal if the other ingredients you’re mixing it with are also at room temperature. Melted coconut oil may form small, temporary clumps if mixed with cold ingredients, like eggs or milk right out of the refrigerator. Coconut oil is solid below 76°F and becomes liquid at or above 76°F.

How should I store coconut oil?

 

Refined coconut oil never needs to be chilled. You can easily liquefy coconut oil by applying low-level heat. If needed, you can solidify coconut oil by putting it in the fridge. Coconut oil can be stored in either its liquid or solid form. In order to maintain its freshness, coconut oil should never be stored in direct sunlight or in close proximity to high heat.⁷

⁷ http://www.livestrong.com/article/220357-uses-of-spectrum-organic-unrefined-coconut-oil/

How long does coconut oil last?

 

Coconut oil stays fresh for about two years. In order to maintain its freshness, coconut oil should never be stored in direct sunlight or in close proximity to high heat.⁸

⁸ http://www.livestrong.com/article/220357-uses-of-spectrum-organic-unrefined-coconut-oil/

Can I use coconut oil to sauté vegetables or meat?

 

Yes! LouAna Coconut Oil is suitable for medium heat up to its smoke point of 350°F. It also has no coconut aroma or taste to distract from the flavor of your food. All you need to do is melt some coconut oil in the pan before adding your ingredients. Easy!

Get a quick tutorial on sautéing salmon with coconut oil by watching this video. For a delicious veggie dish, try the Sautéed Asparagus with Lemon and Garlic recipe. Let us know how it turns out! Join our community on Facebook to keep in touch.

How else can I use coconut oil in the kitchen?

 

Besides sautéing, you can also use LouAna Coconut Oil for pan-frying, baking, and dressings. Coconut oil is suitable for medium heat up to 350°F. Check out our delicious Recipes section for ideas.

Can I use coconut oil on my skin directly?

 

LouAna® 100% Pure Organic Coconut Oil is great for beauty recipes, from hair treatments to skin care. As an organic, non-GMO derived food that’s both vegan and gluten-free, it’s a safe and moisturizing alternative to harsh chemicals.⁹ Head over to our Beauty section for some easy and fun DIY tips.

⁹ Agero, AL; Verallo-Rowell, VM, “A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis.” Dermatitis, 2004 Sep; 15(3): 109-116.

Can I use coconut oil for oral hygiene?

 

Research has found that daily oil pulling with coconut oil can kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay.¹⁰ This ancient oral detox procedure is done by swishing a spoonful of Coconut Oil in your mouth for 10 minutes or more daily.¹¹ (When you’re done, remember to spit the oil out into the trash and not your sink, where it may solidify and clog your drain.) Oil pulling also has the potential to make your teeth whiter and gums healthier.

¹⁰ “Effect of coconut oil in plaque related gingivitis — A preliminary report,” Nigerian Medical Journal, 2015 Mar-Apr; 56(2): 143-147. Accessed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4382606/

¹¹ http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oil-pulling

Is coconut oil safe for hair care?

 

Coconut oil has a high affinity for hair proteins and can penetrate inside the hair shaft. Studies show that coconut oil can also prevent combing damage and reduce protein loss.¹² Use LouAna Organic Coconut Oil for both your pre-wash and post-wash hair needs. Check out our Beauty section for at-home treatments including hot oil treatments and hair masks.

¹² Rele, AS; Mohile, RB; “Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage,” J. Cosmetic Science, 2003 Mar-Apr; 54 (2): 175-192.