Introduction: Why Your Choice of Cooking Oil Matters
The average Indian household uses over 15 litres of cooking oil every year. Most of it is refined — chemically processed, bleached, and deodorised until nearly all natural nutrition is stripped away. The oil that enters your body every single day is either working for your health or quietly against it.
Cold-pressed oils — also called kachi ghani oil or lakdi ghana oil — change that equation. Extracted the traditional way using a wooden press at low temperatures, these oils retain everything nature packed into the seed or nut. This article covers the 10 most evidence-backed benefits so you can make an informed choice.
Benefits of Cold-Pressed Oils
1. Retains Maximum Nutrients
Heat is the enemy of nutrition. Refined oils are processed at temperatures above 200°C, destroying most vitamins, antioxidants, and beneficial fatty acids. Cold-pressed extraction keeps temperatures below 40°C, preserving vitamin E, polyphenols, and omega fatty acids that actively support cellular health.
2. Supports Heart Health
Several cold-pressed oils — especially groundnut, sesame, and mustard — are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA and PUFA). Studies have linked these healthy fats to reduced LDL (bad cholesterol) and improved cardiovascular function.
Replacing refined sunflower oil with cold-pressed groundnut oil in daily cooking is one of the simplest heart-protective dietary changes an Indian household can make.
3. Richer in Natural Antioxidants
Cold-pressed oils contain significantly higher levels of tocopherols (natural Vitamin E), sesamol (in sesame oil), and polyphenols compared to their refined counterparts. These antioxidants neutralise free radicals that accelerate ageing and increase the risk of chronic disease.
Refined processing destroys up to 70% of these compounds.
4. Better for Digestion
The natural phospholipids and enzymes present in unrefined cold-pressed oils aid fat absorption and digestive enzyme activity. Many people who switch from refined to cold-pressed oils report reduced bloating and improved digestion within 2–3 weeks.
This is particularly true of cold-pressed coconut oil, which contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that the body processes more efficiently than long-chain fats.
5. Boosts Immunity
Cold-pressed oils from seeds like kalonji (Nigella sativa) and flaxseed are rich in thymoquinone and ALA omega-3 fatty acids respectively, both of which have been shown to support immune function and reduce inflammation.
Including these oils as part of a daily diet provides the body’s defence systems with essential micronutrients that processed foods simply cannot supply.
6. Chemical-Free & Safe for the Whole Family
Refined oils are treated with hexane (a petroleum-derived solvent), bleaching agents, and deodorants during processing. Trace residues can remain in the final product.
Cold-pressed oils skip all chemical processing — the seed goes in, the oil comes out, and nothing is added. This makes them especially suitable for children, pregnant women, and anyone with sensitivities to chemical additives.
7. Ideal for Skin & Hair Nourishment
Applied topically, cold-pressed oils like coconut, castor, almond, and moringa are among the most bioavailable natural moisturisers available. Their fatty acid profiles closely match the skin’s own lipid barrier.
Refined versions of the same oils, having lost most of their active compounds, offer significantly less benefit. Cold-pressed castor oil in particular is one of the most effective natural treatments for hair thickness and scalp health.
8. Authentic Flavour & Aroma
Ask any chef — refined oils taste flat because they are flat. The chemical processing that strips nutrients also strips flavour.
Cold-pressed oils retain the natural aroma of the seed. Groundnut oil tastes of roasted peanuts, mustard oil has its characteristic pungency, and coconut oil carries the unmistakable fragrance of fresh coconut.
9. Stable & Naturally Preserved
Cold-pressed oils contain their natural antioxidants, which act as natural preservatives. Many refined oils oxidise more quickly because their protective antioxidants have been removed during processing.
Manufacturers often add synthetic antioxidants like TBHQ to compensate. Cold-pressed oils, stored correctly in dark glass bottles away from heat, maintain quality for 12–18 months.
10. Supports Sustainable, Traditional Farming
Choosing cold-pressed oils supports the lakdi ghana tradition — a method of oil extraction practiced across India for centuries.
It supports local oil mills, avoids industrial solvent-based processing, and typically sources from smaller regional farms. Sanjeevani’s oils are processed using this traditional wooden-press method, maintaining a direct connection between farm and family.
Cold-Pressed Oil vs Refined Oil
| Property | Cold-Pressed Oil | Refined Oil |
|---|---|---|
| Processing Temperature | Below 40°C | 200°C+ |
| Nutrients Retained | Up to 90% | 20–30% |
| Chemical Treatment | None | Hexane, bleach, deodorant |
| Natural Antioxidants | Present | Mostly destroyed |
| Flavour & Aroma | Rich and authentic | Neutral / Bland |
| Shelf Life (Unopened) | 12–18 months | 18–24 months (synthetic preservatives) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Cold-pressed oil is extracted from seeds, nuts, or fruits using a mechanical press at low
temperatures (below 40°C), without the use of chemical solvents or heat. This preserves the
oil’s natural vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids.
Yes, for daily cooking and health. Cold-pressed oils retain significantly more nutrients,
contain no chemical residues, and have superior flavour. Refined oils are cheaper to
produce but offer far less nutritional value.
Groundnut and sesame oil are the most versatile for Indian high-heat cooking. Coconut
oil is excellent for South Indian dishes. Mustard oil is traditional in North and East Indian
cooking. All are available cold-pressed from Sanjeevani.
Kachi ghani (raw press) refers to the traditional Indian method of extracting oil using a
wooden or stone press at room temperature, without heat. It is the original cold-press
method, practiced in India for thousands of years.
Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Glass bottles are preferred over
plastic as they do not leach chemicals. Once opened, use within 3–6 months for best
quality.
Experience the difference that 10 generations of traditional pressing makes. Shop
Sanjeevani’s full range of cold-pressed oils at sanjeevanicoldpressedoils.com or at
theamsha.com/shop .
