.png)
Written by Zac Kreider
Have you noticed that Colorado Mills' oil is cloudy? Next time you go to the grocery store, spend some time in the oil aisle. Compare the oils and you will most likely find they are all perfectly clear. That's because they have been stripped of vital nutrients only to all appear the same. Colorado Mills stands out!
Vegetable oil naturally has wax. The vegetable oil industry removes these natural waxes via a process called winterization. Prior to mechanical methods of removing wax, oil would be chilled causing waxes to separate and be removed, giving the process the name winterization. The wax is then sold to supplement and cosmetic industries. Colorado Mills is one of the few oilseed processors to offer a non-winterized oil. If the oil is at a high enough temperature, like in warmer climates or sitting next to your stove, the wax will dissolve back into the oil as the oil becomes more clear.
Colorado Mills strives to be different from our competitors and offer a premium product to manufacturers that is ahead of the game. By not removing the wax from our sunflower oil, we are less refined and are more nutrient dense. The process of removing the wax also removes the vitamin E. Many oils fall in the range of 3-5mg of vitamin E per ounce. Colorado Mills' sunflower oil is 11.6 mg/oz, 2-3 times the levels of avocado, extra virgin olive oil, canola, soybean, and even other sunflower oils! We have also found that by keeping the wax in the oil, our snack food customers can achieve a longer shelf life of their products without effecting cooking characteristics.
Tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are commonly used in canola, soybean, and other sunflower oils to allow for high heat applications such as deep frying. These synthetic antioxidants are also used in paints and varnishes! Because our high oleic sunflower oil is non-winterized, the natural waxes allow our oil to outperform these synthetic high heat oils; another win for Colorado Mills!
Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that can ward off inflammation, help prevent coronary heart disease, support immune function, and even lower the risk of cancer. But did you also know it's great for your hair, skin, and nails and is found in many skincare products around the world?
Just like anti-aging properties for skincare, we can see that vitamin E also helps improve packaged food shelf life. Embrace the natural wax at the bottom of our bottles and know you are providing your family with the highest quality oil on the market!
Interested in incorporating sunflower oil into your skincare routine? Try Sunnies Naturals! Our natural skincare line was developed in 2018 and we use Colorado Mills' high oleic sunflower oil as the base of our products and add in therapeutic grade essential oils. Check out our website to learn more about our story!
