# What is grape-seed oil? and why would I use it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 14, 2004, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-grape-seed-oil-and-why-would-i-use-it/234202 "2004-03-14T06:17:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-grape-seed-oil-and-why-would-i-use-it/234202/1 "2004-03-14T06:17:28Z")
Came across a recipe today that called for “grape-seed oil”. I’ve never heard of it before, and the two grocery stores I went to didn’t have it. So what is grape-seed oil? besides coming from grape-seeds, what’s so special about it? does it have a particular flavour or something? what role does it play in cookery? and where can I get me some? a Chinese market? Indian? if I can’t find any, what can I use as a substitute? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-grape-seed-oil-and-why-would-i-use-it/234202/2 "2004-03-14T06:29:55Z")
It has a high smoke point, so it’s nice for cooking. It doesn’t break down under heat as quickly as many oils. I don’t really notice a particular flavor that it imparts, but my senses of smell and taste aren’t very acute. It’s a good oil. High in mono-unsaturated fats. Olive is probably the best substitute. Julie ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-grape-seed-oil-and-why-would-i-use-it/234202/3 "2004-03-14T06:57:51Z")
> [@Northern Piper](#): > > So what is grape-seed oil? besides coming from grape-seeds, what’s so special about it? does it have a particular flavour or something? what role does it play in cookery? and where can I get me some? a Chinese market? Indian? if I can’t find any, what can I use as a substitute? Grape-seed oil is oil extracted from… (drumroll) grape seeds! This is a European product, hence Chinese or Indian stores wouldn’t be the place to look for it. Regular supermarkets might/should have some. If not, look at more “gourmet” stores. Grape-seed oil is relatively neutral. That is, you would use it when you do not want the taste of the oil to mask that of other ingredients. Grape-seed oil is your best choice if you are making your own mayonnaise sauce, as it yields a more pleasent texture that doesn’t congeal as much when refrigerated. Olive oil is _not_ a good substitute, IMO. Its flavour is much too strong and might ruin your recipe. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-grape-seed-oil-and-why-would-i-use-it/234202/4 "2004-03-14T07:06:17Z")
Grapeseed oil, because of its almost total lack of scent, makes a wonderful massage oil. The client won’t walk out of your clinic smelling like a Greek salad. It’s also a good carrier oil for essential oils if you’re into aromatherapy massage. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-grape-seed-oil-and-why-would-i-use-it/234202/5 "2004-03-14T12:39:14Z")
Not to be confused with rapeseed oil, sold under the name “Canola.”