The seeds of
Camellia oleifera can be pressed to yield
tea seed oil, a sweetish seasoning and cooking oil. In tea seed oil,
oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid comprises ~80% of the total fatty acid content - the oil is similar in composition to
olive oil. After the tea seed oil is extracted, the seed itself still serves a purpose. The product of production, known as Camellia oil cake, is used as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Tea oil is also known as "Tea Seed Oil" when sold as cooking oil in supermarkets throughout Australia, New Zealand and the United States. It can also be used in textile manufacture, in
soap making and, when burned in an
oil lamp, as a source of light. ==See also==