Which type of fat is solid at room temperature?

Saturated fat is solid at room temperature due to its chemical structure. Saturated fats have no double bonds between the carbon atoms in their fatty acid chains; instead, they are fully "saturated" with hydrogen atoms. This results in straight chains that can pack closely together, giving them a solid form at typical room temperatures. Common sources of saturated fats include animal products like butter and cheese, as well as some plant-based oils such as coconut oil.

In contrast, unsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats have one or more double bonds in their fatty acid chains, which create kinks in their structure. These kinks prevent the molecules from packing tightly together, making them liquid at room temperature. Trans fats, while they can be solid or semi-solid, are usually considered an unhealthy type of fat that results from industrial processes that hydrogenate unsaturated fats. Thus, saturated fat stands out as the type that remains solid when the temperature is moderate.