What state are unsaturated fats in at room temperature?

Unsaturated fats are characterized by one or more double bonds in their fatty acid chains, which affects their molecular structure and the way they interact with one another. Due to these double bonds, unsaturated fats have a more "kinky" configuration, preventing the fatty acid chains from packing closely together. This loose packing results in unsaturated fats being fluid in nature.

At room temperature, unsaturated fats remain in a liquid state, which is why many oils, such as olive oil and canola oil, are classified as unsaturated fats. This property is in stark contrast to saturated fats, which have no double bonds and can pack tightly together to form solid fats at room temperature, like butter or lard. The liquid state of unsaturated fats at room temperature not only influences their physical characteristics but also affects their health benefits and how they are used in cooking and food preparation.