Which type of fat is typically solid at room temperature?

Saturated fat is typically solid at room temperature due to its chemical structure. These fats have no double bonds between carbon atoms, allowing the molecules to pack tightly together. This close packing results in a solid form at room temperature, which is why substances like butter and coconut oil, both of which are high in saturated fat, remain solid when not heated.

In contrast, unsaturated fats, which include both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, contain one or more double bonds in their fatty acid chains. This introduces kinks in the structure that prevent the molecules from packing tightly together, causing them to be liquid at room temperature—like olive oil or canola oil. Trans fats, while they can be solid at room temperature, often come from partial hydrogenation of unsaturated fats, and their classification does not negate the solid state of saturated fat.