Nut Oils

As the name suggests, these are oils made from pressing nuts of various types. The best nut oils come from nuts that have been lightly toasted before pressing, giving them a richer, nuttier flavor. Up until recent times the best nut oils came from France, which has a long tradition of their use. In the last few years, however, American producers have come to the fore, especially in California, where most of the nation’s nuts are grown. Two sources that I like are California Press (www.californiapress.com) and Spectrum Naturals (www.spectrumorganic.com). Gourmet food stores such as Sur La Table and Williams-Sonoma also carry good nut oils as do many natural foods stores.