FOOD NEWS
The Oil You Need To Use If You Want Tastier Tempura
BY NATHAN LEGARE
Tempura, or Japanese deep-frying, is all about creating crispiness and delicate flavor, so to avoid giving your tempura a heavy taste and texture, choose your oil carefully.
Tempura batter absorbs the flavor of the oil it's fried in, and most Japanese restaurants use untoasted sesame oil to imbue the tempura with a subtle nuttiness.
Other than untoasted sesame oil, you can use another neutral oil. Just ensure it has a high smoke point like vegetable oil or canola oil.
Just as the tempura absorbs the oil's flavor, the oil also absorbs flavors. To avoid any unwanted tastes, make sure to use fresh oil with every batch of tempura.