Why Siete Chooses Avocado Oil for a Better Chip
Siete's commitment to using avocado oil is a cornerstone of its brand identity and reflects a larger mission to create healthier, heritage-inspired snacks. The family-owned company, founded in 2014, switched to a grain-free diet to support a family member with health conditions, which ultimately led to the creation of their product line. By opting for avocado oil, they can offer a product that caters to a variety of dietary needs, including paleo and grain-free lifestyles, without compromising on taste or texture.
Health Benefits of Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, which helps lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. It also contains antioxidants like vitamin E and lutein, which can help protect cells from damage and support eye health. Many conventional chips are fried in highly processed vegetable oils, which have higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids that can contribute to inflammation when consumed in excess. The use of avocado oil offers a more balanced fatty acid profile for a snack food.
The High Smoke Point Advantage
Another crucial factor in Siete's choice is avocado oil's remarkably high smoke point. While unrefined avocado oil has a smoke point of about 250°C, the refined version can handle heat up to 270°C. This stability is vital for frying, as it prevents the oil from breaking down and forming harmful compounds. For frying chips, this means the oil remains stable during the high-temperature cooking process, ensuring the final product maintains its nutritional integrity and delicious taste.
Avocado Oil's Neutral Flavor Profile
Some cooking oils have a strong flavor that can overwhelm the primary ingredients. Avocado oil, however, has a mild, buttery taste that enhances, rather than masks, the other flavors in the chip. This allows the taste of high-quality ingredients like cassava flour and sea salt to shine through, contributing to the overall appeal of the chips for many consumers.
The Difference: Avocado Oil vs. Common Seed Oils
Many popular snack foods are fried in cheaper, more widely available seed oils like canola, sunflower, or soybean oil. Siete's decision to use avocado oil highlights a key distinction in the snack food market. The extraction process for seed oils often involves chemical solvents like hexane, and the high processing can lead to a less stable oil. In contrast, extra virgin avocado oil is typically extracted mechanically through cold-pressing, similar to olive oil, which preserves its nutritional content. This results in a cleaner, less processed ingredient for the finished chips.
Comparison of Frying Oils for Chips
| Feature | Avocado Oil | Common Vegetable (Seed) Oil | Siete Chips | Conventional Chips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke Point | Very high (up to 270°C) | Varies, can be lower | High-heat stable | Less stable during frying |
| Fatty Acids | Rich in monounsaturated fats | High in omega-6 fatty acids | Heart-healthy fats | Higher omega-6 content |
| Antioxidants | Contains vitamin E and lutein | Few naturally occurring antioxidants | Nutrient-rich oil | Fewer nutrients |
| Flavor Profile | Mild and neutral | Often bland or neutral | Flavor of base ingredients shines | Flavor can be altered by oil |
| Processing | Often mechanically extracted | Often chemically extracted | Minimally processed ingredient | Highly processed ingredient |
Sourcing and Transparency
Siete Foods emphasizes sourcing and transparency, two values that are increasingly important to modern consumers. By focusing on a single, high-quality cooking oil like avocado oil, the company simplifies its ingredient list and provides a clear, understandable label. This practice contrasts with many large-scale snack manufacturers that use generic "vegetable oil," which can be a blend of various, inexpensive oils. For consumers with dietary restrictions, allergies, or concerns about food processing, Siete's approach provides peace of mind and contributes to a healthier snacking experience.
Conclusion: The Avocado Oil Choice
Ultimately, the question of "what oil do Siete chips use?" has a simple, yet significant answer: avocado oil. This decision reflects the brand's core values of promoting health, embracing clean ingredients, and honoring heritage. For consumers navigating a crowded snack aisle, Siete's commitment to avocado oil provides a clear signal of quality. The use of this heart-healthy, high smoke point oil results in a consistently delicious, crispy chip that stands out as a better-for-you alternative to mainstream options, proving that high-quality ingredients make a noticeable difference in both taste and nutritional profile.
