Specialty Oils

The category divides by the source of the fat and by the chemical form its fatty acids take. Fish Oil supplies EPA and DHA as triglycerides in crude form and often as ethyl esters after concentration, and the two forms differ in cost and in labelling. DHA Algal Oil is fermented rather than caught, arrives at a higher DHA concentration with almost no EPA, and avoids marine contaminant and fish allergen questions. Antarctic Krill Oil carries part of its omega-3 bound to phospholipids.

Oxidation governs much of the rest. Peroxide value, anisidine value and the combined total oxidation figure describe how far a batch has travelled, and they keep moving during shipping, so a result at production and a result on arrival are not the same thing. MCT is a fractionated coconut or palm kernel oil bought on its C8 and C10 ratio, and Cocoa Butter is judged on its sharp melting profile.