Meta Description:
Discover what cold pressed oils really are — no heat, no chemicals, just pure nutrition. Oorkinaru brings you 100% traceable wood-pressed oils from Tamil Nadu villages.
You have probably seen the words "cold pressed" on oil bottles at the supermarket. But what does it actually mean? And is it worth the switch from regular refined oil?
At OorKinaru, cold pressing is not a marketing term — it is the only way we make our oils. Here is everything you need to know.
What Does "Cold Pressed" Mean?
Cold pressing is a method of extracting oil from seeds or nuts without applying external heat. The raw material is fed into a press — traditionally a wooden or stone ghani mill — which slowly crushes it under mechanical pressure. The oil seeps out naturally, along with its full range of nutrients, antioxidants, and natural flavour compounds.
The word "cold" refers to the fact that no heat is added during extraction. However, even cold pressing generates some friction heat. Genuine cold pressed oils are extracted at temperatures below 40–50°C to ensure the heat-sensitive nutrients are not destroyed.
How Is This Different from Refined Oil?
| Cold Pressed Oil | Refined Oil |
| Extraction method | Mechanical pressing | Solvent (hexane) extraction |
| Heat used | Minimal (below 50°C) | High (150–200°C) |
| Chemicals used | None | Hexane, bleaching agents, deodorisers |
| Nutrient retention | High | Very low |
| Natural flavour | Preserved | Removed |
| Colour | Natural | Artificially clarified |
| Shelf life | Shorter | Longer (due to chemical stabilisers) |
Refined oils are engineered to look clear, smell neutral, and last long on the shelf. Cold pressed oils are made to nourish you.
The Nutrient Difference:
When oil is exposed to high heat or chemical solvents, heat-sensitive compounds are destroyed. These include:
- **Vitamins E and K** — lost or significantly reduced in refined oils
- **Polyphenols and antioxidants** — degraded by heat
- **Natural fatty acid profile** — altered by hydrogenation
- **Phytosterols** — removed during refining
Cold pressed oils retain all of these, making them nutritionally far superior to their refined counterparts.
Common Cold Pressed Oils and Their Uses:
Groundnut oil
— ideal for everyday South Indian cooking; high smoke point, heart-healthy fats
Sesame oil
— perfect for tempering, oil pulling, massage, and hair careCoconut oil
— excellent for cooking, baking, skin, and hair; high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs)
Are Cold Pressed Oils Safe for Cooking?
Yes — with a little awareness. Cold pressed oils generally have a lower smoke point than highly refined oils. This means they are best suited for low to medium heat cooking — tempering, sautéing, light frying, and dressings.
For deep frying at very high temperatures, refined oils may still be preferred. But for daily cooking, cold pressed oils are the healthier, more flavourful, and more natural choice.
Why OorKinaru
At OorKinaru, every oil we produce is genuinely cold pressed — not just labelled so. Our wooden ghani mill presses at low speed, keeping extraction temperatures minimal. We use zero chemical solvents, zero bleaching agents, and zero artificial preservatives.
We believe food should come from nature and reach your kitchen the same way — pure, honest, and full of life.
**Try OorKinaru cold pressed oils and feel what real oil tastes like.**
*OorKinaru — Pure Oils, Traditional Methods, Real Nourishment.*
*Mukilan Collectives, Oddanchathiram, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu.*