Crisco

Crisco is a brand of shortening produced by The J.M. Smucker Company popular in the United States. Introduced in June 1911 by Procter & Gamble, it was the first shortening to be made entirely of vegetable oil (cottonseed). Today, the Crisco brand is used for various types of shortening, including vegetable, canola, and palm oil-based products.

History

Crisco was created as a cheaper alternative to animal fats and butter. Procter & Gamble's innovation was in hydrogenating vegetable oil, a process that allowed the oil to remain solid at room temperature, thereby creating a product that was more stable and had a longer shelf life than previously available fats. This process also made Crisco ideal for baking and frying due to its high smoking point.

Composition

The original formula for Crisco was made entirely of cottonseed oil, but over the years, the formula has changed. Modern Crisco is made with a blend of soybean oil, fully hydrogenated palm oil, and other additives. The product is known for being trans-fat-free, following changes in food labeling laws and health recommendations regarding the consumption of trans fats.

Health Concerns

Initially marketed as a healthier alternative to animal fats, Crisco's health benefits have been reevaluated over time. The original hydrogenation process used to produce Crisco introduced trans fats into the diet, which have been linked to various health issues, including heart disease. In response to these concerns, Crisco was reformulated in 2007 to remove trans fats from its products.

Uses

Crisco is widely used in baking and cooking for its ability to create a flaky texture in pastries and for its neutral flavor. It is also used in frying due to its high smoke point, which allows food to be cooked at higher temperatures without burning.

Controversies

The introduction and widespread use of Crisco and other hydrogenated vegetable oils have sparked debates regarding health implications, environmental impact, and the ethics of using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food products. Critics argue that the production of ingredients for Crisco and similar products can lead to deforestation and loss of biodiversity, particularly in the case of palm oil.

See Also

• Vegetable oil
• Trans fat
• Hydrogenation
• Palm oil
• Soybean oil