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Cold Pressed Oil vs Refined Oil: What’s the Difference?
Walk down the oil aisle and you will see two kinds of bottles: refined oils and cold pressed (wood pressed) oils. They look similar, but they are made very differently, and the difference shows in the colour, aroma, taste and price. This guide explains how each is made so you can choose the one that suits your kitchen.
How cold pressed (wood pressed) oil is made
In traditional pressing, seeds or nuts are crushed slowly in a wooden or slow-rotating press called a marachekku or chekku. The slow speed keeps the temperature low, and no chemical solvents are used. The oil is then allowed to settle and is filtered.
Because the process is gentle, the oil keeps the natural aroma and flavour of the seed it came from. Groundnut oil smells of groundnuts, and gingelly oil has the rich, nutty smell of sesame.
At Vaniyaa Oil Mills, we have pressed oils this way for 50 years.
How refined oil is made
Refined oil goes through several industrial steps. The seeds are crushed at high speed, and the oil is often extracted with the help of heat and solvents. It is then bleached, deodorised and filtered to give a pale, clear oil with almost no smell. This makes the oil neutral in taste and gives it a long shelf life, and it is how most large-scale commercial oil is produced.
Cold pressed oil vs refined oil: side-by-side
| Cold / wood pressed oil | Refined oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Slow pressing, low heat, no solvents | High heat, solvents, bleaching, deodorising |
| Colour | Golden to amber, slightly cloudy | Pale and very clear |
| Aroma | Strong, natural seed aroma | Little or no smell |
| Taste | Rich, adds flavour to food | Neutral, doesn’t change the dish |
| Shelf life | Shorter, store with care | Longer |
| Price | Higher (less oil per kg of seed) | Lower |
| Best for | Traditional dishes, tempering, everyday South Indian cooking | Neutral-flavour cooking, deep frying at scale |
Which oil for which cooking?
- Everyday South Indian cooking: cold pressed groundnut oil works well for sautéing, curries and frying. It adds a mild nutty flavour.
- Tempering, pickles and traditional dishes: gingelly (sesame) oil has a rich aroma that suits podis, pickles and many Tamil recipes.
- Cooking and traditional use: coconut oil suits Kerala-style and coastal dishes, and many families also use it for other everyday needs.
- Pooja lamps: our Deepam oil is made for lighting lamps.
- When you want no flavour at all: a neutral refined oil may suit some dishes better.
There is no single “right” oil for everyone. Choose by the dish, the flavour you want and your budget.
Why does cold pressed oil cost more?
Slow pressing gives less oil from the same quantity of seeds than industrial extraction, and it takes more time, labour and care. That is why genuine wood pressed oil costs more. If a “cold pressed” oil is priced far below the market, it is worth asking how it was made. Our guide on how to identify pure cold pressed groundnut oil has simple checks you can do before you buy.
Which oils we press at Vaniyaa
Vaniyaa Oil Mills presses groundnut, gingelly and coconut oil. You can see all of them in our Wood Pressed Oils collection, available online and at our branches.
Frequently asked questions
Is cold pressed oil the same as wood pressed oil?
Both describe oil pressed slowly at low heat. “Wood pressed” refers to the traditional wooden press, called marachekku in Tamil.
Why does cold pressed oil smell stronger than refined oil?
Refined oil is deodorised, which removes the smell. Pressed oil keeps the natural aroma of the seed.
Can I use cold pressed oil for frying?
Yes, many households use wood pressed groundnut oil for everyday frying and sautéing. For very high-heat or deep frying at scale, follow the guidance on the label.
How should I store cold pressed oil?
Keep it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and the stove, close the lid tightly, and use it within the time stated on the label.
Visit Vaniyaa Oil Mills & Organic Shop
See our wood pressed oils in person, check the oil before you buy, and ask our team anything. Visit any of our branches:
Guduvanchery Branch
Plot No. 2, GST Road, Mahalakshmi Nagar, Next to NPR Mahal, Guduvanchery – 603202, Tamil Nadu
Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps?q=Vaniyaa+Oil+Mills+%26+Organic+Shop&ll=12.731505,80.068709
Pallavaram Branch
Vaniyaa Organic Shop, Pallavaram, Chennai
Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/VANIYAA+ORGANIC+SHOP+PALLAVARAM+BRANCH/@12.9709221,80.1473833,17z
Thiruvanmiyur Branch
Vaniyaa Organic Shop, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai
Google Maps: (add the Share link from the Thiruvanmiyur listing, since the link you sent is a directions link)
Manufacturing Unit
Vaniyaa Enterprises, Echankaranai, Tamil Nadu – 603109
Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=VANIYAA+ENTERPRISES+Echankaranai
WhatsApp / Phone: +91 7373727369
Email: vaniyaaoilmills@gmail.com
We supply wholesale orders and offer door delivery. Browse our full shop, explore our Wood Pressed Oils collection, or see all addresses on our branches page.
