How do you picture Diwali? The golden glow of diyas and the dazzling bursts of fireworks. The excitement of having your cousins over, and the chatter from every corner of the house.Now close your eyes for a moment. What is the truest, most visceral memory of the festival?
It’s the smell!
The rich, warm, and entirely unique aroma of hot oil meeting cold spices. It’s a culinary symphony that transforms a regular house into a festive home. This is the scent of tradition, family, and a feast that has been prepared with love. This blog is dedicated to the unsung hero, cooking oil, who makes this possible.
The Quiet Anticipation: Oil as the Canvas
Every iconic Diwali snack,from the perfectly flaky Mathri to the puffed soft Pooris,starts with one essential, foundational ingredient: the oil.
You begin with heating the oil, moments of quiet anticipation and excitement. Here, the oil sets the stage for the spices to crackle and the dough to fry. A high-quality oil, like Freedom Sunflower oil, India’s No.1 selling sunflower oil (as per NielsenIQ Retail index data period MAT Feb’25 for sunflower oil segment of ROCP in India), is light, pure, and has a neutral flavour. It simply acts as a canvas, ready to absorb and amplify the complex flavour profile of the spices to come.
When you use the right oil, you guarantee that the flavour that reaches your palate is the pure, intended taste of the ingredients— turmeric, cardamom, and cumin—not the oil itself. And when it is infused with the goodness of Vitamins A, D, and naturally containing vitamin E, like in Freedom Sunflower oil, you know you are doing it right.
The Crackle and Pop: A Symphony of Spice
The transformation happens when the temperature is just right. This is where the magic is made.
Think of the tadka for your Diwali dal or the tempting taste of paneer tikka. With Freedom’s 100% pure Mustard oil, you summon the goodness of the traditional Kachi Ghani process to do the magic for you.The cumin seeds hit the shimmering surface and let out a quick, enthusiastic pop. A pinch of Hing dissolves, instantly releasing its sharp, comforting musk. The kitchen air thickens immediately, carrying those bright, warming scents throughout the entire home.
This aromatic burst is more than just cooking; it’s a sensory notification. The sharp aroma of Freedom mustard oil tells every member of the family, whether they’re setting up the lanterns or drawing rangoli, that the festival has truly begun. It’s the smell of shared effort and impending joy.
The Golden Touch: The Memory Maker
The final, lasting memory often comes from the deep-fried sweets and snacks. Watch as balls of dough for Gulab Jamun sink into the hot oil, only to emerge moments later with that glorious, uniform golden-brown crust. For every crunchy Chakli, every perfectly crispy pakoda, and every flaky Gujia, Freedom’s rice bran oil plays a crucial role in enabling these textures and colours without overwhelming the delicate flavours of the spices and sugar. It is perfectly suited for deep frying due to its mild flavour and high smoking point. Packed with MUFA and Omega-6 PUFA, it is a heart-healthy choice that allows for the flavours of tradition to truly shine, healthily. This Diwali, as you light the lamps and gather with loved ones, take a moment to savour the most delicious tradition of all: the aroma of home. It’s a scent built on generations of recipes, perfected with the purity and quality of the oil you choose. Trust Freedom to make your Diwali moments more magical, and the memories everlasting.