Shortening

Shortening (from English shortening) is a type of cooking fat that can be used for a wide variety of needs. For example, it is used for frying products, added to the dough composition, achieving its crumbness and pomp, as well as improving the nutritional quality of finished products.

The most famous shortening brand in the United States of America is "Crisco. " This confectionery fat has been made since 1911 based on vegetable oils formulated by Procter & Gamble. Shortening is in constant demand and popular not only with professionals, but also with ordinary culinary experts. The largest amount of shortening is found in chocolates, as well as glazes and bar chocolate.

Industrial shortening contains ingredients such as oils and fats (non-lauric) refined deodorized of vegetable origin, sometimes beef fat, as well as emulsifiers and antioxidants. By the way, sometimes, at the request of the customer, shortening can be made with the addition of bet-carotene or butter flavoring. Thus, the fat phase of the finished product is 9

9. 8% with an energy value of shortening of 894 kcal per hundred grams.

This baking fat is commonly defined as a plastic fat and oil mass for culinary purposes. Interestingly, fats and shortening oils can be partially hydrogenated. In order to achieve the desired hardness of the product, a certain ratio of liquid and solid glycerides in the shortening composition is strictly observed.

For many such products, specific properties are inherent, due to which shortening is suitable not only for frying, but also for baking cakes, crackers or cookies. In some cases, antioxidants (approved for use) are added to the composition of this cooking fat in order to slow down the rancid processes. Shortening is the result of mixing the desired oils and fats, followed by deodorization, freezing and packaging.

Despite the versatility in use and the mass of other valuable properties of shortening, many nutritionists claim the harm of all types of confectionery fats, the regular consumption of which can negatively affect the human digestive system. For example, with frequent and uncontrolled consumption of confectionery products that contain shortening, there is a rapid increase in weight and the development of obesity.

The harm of shortening to human health is primarily associated with the distinctive chemical parameters of this confectionery fat. The thing is that if you consider this product for the presence of biologically active compounds, its composition is really scarce, but shortening is well absorbed by the body. As a result of its consumption, empty calories enter your body in large quantities, which subsequently leads to rapid weight gain.