Why does cooking oil make things taste better when it doesn’t taste good by itself?

Question

I get why sugar makes things taste better since it tastes good by itself but why does something like cooking oil which doesn’t taste good on its own make food taste better than it otherwise would be?

In: 734

Answer 1

Certain taste elements are soluable in oil, but not in water. Oil can bring them out in a way that water can’t.

It also helps to add a bit more of surface texture and frying surface.