What Is Cold Pressed Oil? Meaning, Benefits, Types & How It’s Made

Choosing a cooking oil today sometimes feels like decoding a nutrition textbook at the supermarket shelf. Cold pressed, kachi ghani, unrefined, refined, wood pressed, so many terms for something as basic as cooking oil can easily become confusing. While these labels may sound similar, each one refers to a different extraction or processing method that affects the oil’s aroma, texture, flavor, and overall quality. In this blog, we’ll understand  “what is cold pressed oil”, how it is made,its benefits and the different types commonly available in the market.

What Does Cold-Pressed Oil Mean?

Cold-pressed oil refers to oil extracted from seeds or nuts without using excessive heat or chemical solvents during the extraction process. The term itself comes from the method used , the oil is mechanically “pressed” out while keeping temperatures controlled to preserve its natural properties.

Contrary to what the name suggests, the process is not completely heat-free. A small amount of heat is naturally generated because of friction during pressing, but in genuine cold pressing, the temperature is carefully controlled and kept relatively low. This helps the oil retain more of its original aroma, flavor, texture, and naturally occurring compounds.

The concept of traditionally pressed oils is not new. Long before industrial refining methods became common, oils in India were extracted using systems like ghani, kolhu, and chekku, slow crushing methods often powered manually or with the help of animals. Historical findings from the Indus Valley Civilization, including oil extraction tools and charred sesame seeds discovered at Harappa, suggest that traditional oil pressing methods have existed for thousands of years.

Even ancient references describe the “ghani” as a wooden or stone mortar-like mechanism used to crush oilseeds slowly to extract oil naturally. While modern cold pressing today uses mechanical equipment, the core idea remains similar, extracting oil with minimal processing rather than intensive refining.

How Is Cold-Pressed Oil Made?

Cold-pressed oil extraction focuses on extracting oil with minimal processing and controlled temperatures instead of aggressive industrial refining. The goal is to preserve the oil’s natural aroma, flavor, texture, and original composition as much as possible.

Here’s how the process typically works:

• The seeds or nuts are first cleaned and dried
  Dust, stones, excess moisture, and damaged particles are removed before extraction. Moisture control is important because excess water can affect oil stability and extraction quality.

• The raw material is mechanically pressed
  Instead of using chemical solvents like hexane, pressure is applied through a mechanical expeller or wooden ghani system to naturally release the oil.

• Temperature control is the most important part of cold pressing
  During extraction, friction between the machine and seeds naturally generates heat. In genuine cold pressing, the temperature is carefully controlled — generally below around 45–49°C.
  Once temperatures rise significantly, delicate flavor compounds and naturally occurring antioxidants may start degrading faster.

• Lower heat also helps reduce rapid oxidation
  Oils naturally react to oxygen, heat, and light. Excessive heat exposure during extraction can accelerate oxidation, which may gradually affect freshness, aroma, flavor stability, and overall oil quality.

• The oil is then naturally settled or lightly filtered
  After extraction, the oil is usually rested so heavier particles settle naturally. Some brands perform light filtration to remove larger sediments while still retaining the oil’s natural texture and appearance.

• Cold pressing gives lower oil yield compared to refining
  Industrial refining methods are designed to extract maximum oil from seeds, even using high heat and chemical processing. Cold pressing usually produces less oil because the focus is on maintaining extraction quality rather than maximizing output.

There’s also a common misconception that all cold-pressed oils are automatically organic. That is not necessarily true. “Cold pressed” refers to the extraction method, while “organic” refers to how the seeds or nuts are grown, without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or chemical farming practices.

At Urbana Superfoods,, our approach is not just confined to  just cold pressing. The oils are sourced directly through carefully selected farmers and traditional production networks instead of large-scale industrial factory systems. The focus remains on clean sourcing, minimal processing, controlled extraction temperatures, and preserving the oil’s natural aroma, texture, and authenticity as closely as possible.

Common Types of Cold-Pressed Oils Available in the Market

• Mustard oil
  Widely used in traditional Indian cooking, especially in North and East Indian cuisines. Known for its strong aroma and pungent flavor.

• Sesame oil
  Commonly used in South Indian and Asian cooking. It has a rich nutty flavor and is also popularly used for oil pulling and massage practices.

• Groundnut oil
  Preferred for everyday cooking because of its mild flavor and balanced texture. Commonly used for sautéing and traditional recipes.

• Coconut oil
  Popular in tropical and coastal cuisines. Also widely used for hair oiling, skincare, and wellness applications.

• Almond oil
  Commonly used in skincare and haircare because of its smooth texture and naturally nourishing fatty acid profile.

Shop Cold Pressed Oils By Urbana Superfoods.

Are Cold Pressed Oils Healthy for You?

The cold-pressed oil benefits extend across multiple areas, from everyday cooking to skincare and haircare applications. 

Nutritional Benefits of Cold-Pressed Oils

• Better retention of antioxidants
  Controlled low-temperature extraction helps preserve naturally occurring antioxidants like tocopherols, polyphenols, sterols, and carotenoids that are sensitive to excessive heat during refining. 

• Contains essential fatty acids
  Many cold-pressed oils naturally contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are associated with cardiovascular health and inflammatory regulation. 

• Less oxidative damage during processing
  High-temperature refining can accelerate oxidation and degrade delicate compounds present in oils. Cold pressing minimizes excessive heat exposure, helping preserve the oil’s original composition more effectively. 

• No chemical solvent extraction
  Pure cold-pressed oils are mechanically extracted without industrial solvents like hexane commonly used in large-scale extraction systems. 

Cooking & Culinary Benefits

• Stronger natural aroma and flavor
  Since these oils are not aggressively deodorized, they retain the actual aroma and flavor of the seed or nut. This is why cold-pressed oils are often preferred for traditional Indian cooking, pickles, chutneys, and regional dishes.

• More authentic texture and mouthfeel
  Minimal processing helps retain the oil’s original consistency and natural richness compared to highly refined oils that are processed for uniformity.

Skin & Hair Benefits

• Useful for moisturizing and nourishment
  Cold pressed oils extracted from Coconut and Almond are commonly used for hair oiling and skincare because they retain their natural fatty acid profile and vitamin content more effectively after extraction. 

• Commonly used in traditional wellness practices
  Certain cold-pressed oils are also used in practices like oil pulling, scalp massage, and skin hydration because of their natural composition and minimal processing. 

Cold-Pressed Oil vs Wood-Pressed Oil vs Refined Oil

While these terms are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to very different extraction and processing methods. Understanding the difference helps in identifying how the oil is produced, how much processing it undergoes, and what characteristics it retains after extraction.

So, Is Wood-Pressed Oil Different From Cold-Pressed Oil?

Yes, but only partially.

Wood pressing is actually a traditional type of cold pressing where wooden churners or ghani systems are used for extraction. Because the rotation speed is slower, less friction heat is generated during the process.

However, not all cold-pressed oils are wood pressed. Modern cold-pressed oils can also be extracted using steel-based mechanical presses while still maintaining controlled low temperatures.

So, is Cold-Pressed Oil Healthier Than Other Cooking Oils?

We have already discussed the benefits of cold-pressed oils, but the bigger question still remains, are cold-pressed oils actually healthier than other cooking oils?

Several studies on edible oil processing suggest that cold-pressed oils may retain more naturally occurring nutrients and bioactive compounds compared to heavily refined oils because they are exposed to lower temperatures during extraction.

A research review published by Scirange Publications noted that cold-pressed oils contain nutritionally important compounds such as tocopherols, sterols, carotenoids, and phospholipids with antioxidant properties. The study also highlighted that the antioxidants naturally present in cold-pressed oils, especially tocopherols and polyphenols, are associated with better oxidative stability and potential cardiovascular benefits.

According to the review, regular consumption of minimally processed oils rich in natural antioxidants has been linked in research to improved heart health and reduced oxidative stress. This is one reason why cold-pressed oils are often preferred over highly refined oils in many traditional and health-conscious diets.

However, the final quality of any oil still depends on factors like:

• seed quality

• freshness

• extraction temperature

• adulteration control

• sourcing practices

• overall processing standards

Tips to Identify Genuine Cold-Pressed Oil

With many brands using terms like “natural,” “pure,” and “wood pressed” loosely, identifying genuine cold-pressed oil can sometimes be confusing. Here are a few practical ways to spot authentic cold-pressed oils:

• Cold-pressed oils usually have a stronger natural aroma
  Since they are minimally processed and not heavily deodorized, authentic cold-pressed oils often retain the original nutty, earthy, or grassy smell of the seed or nut they are extracted from.

• They may not look extremely clear or uniform
  Unlike heavily refined oils, cold-pressed oils are minimally filtered, so slight variation in color, texture, or natural sediment can sometimes occur.

• They generally have a shorter shelf life than refined oils
  Refined oils are often processed with bleaching, deodorization, and stabilizing methods to increase shelf life. Cold-pressed oils undergo minimal processing, which is why they are usually fresher but less artificially stable.

• Genuine cold-pressed oils are often more expensive
  Cold pressing is a slower extraction method and usually produces lower oil yield compared to industrial refining. Better seed quality, controlled extraction temperatures, and smaller-batch processing also increase production costs.

• Check if the brand clearly mentions sourcing and extraction methods
  Transparent brands usually mention details about seed sourcing, temperature-controlled extraction, filtration methods, and whether the oil is chemically refined or not.

Cold-pressed oils are more than just a food trend, they represent a more traditional and minimally processed approach to oil extraction. From nutrition and flavor to sourcing and processing transparency, understanding how your oil is made can help you make more informed choices for everyday cooking and wellness.

Cold Pressed White Sesame Oil (Til/Gingelly Oil)

250ml

1L

₹150

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Urbana Superfoods Cold Pressed Mustard Oil/ Sarson ka Tel

250ml

1L

₹100

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