Frying is the
cooking of food in
oil or another
fat. Chemically, oils and fats are the same, differing only in
melting point, and the distinction is only made when needed. Foods can be fried in a variety of
fats, including
lard,
vegetable oil,
rapeseed oil and
olive oil. In commerce, many fats are called oils by custom, e.g.
palm oil and
coconut oil, which are solid at
room temperature. A variety of foods may be fried, including the
potato chip,
bread,
eggs and foods made from eggs, such as
omelettes or
pancakes.