What Is Cold Pressed Oil? A Home Cook’s Guide to Better Cooking
Cold-pressed oils are gaining popularity in home kitchens for their flavour, aroma, and traditional extraction process. This guide explains what cold-pressed oils are, how they are made, and how home cooks can use them for everyday cooking with Tata Simply Better.
Cold-pressed oils are becoming a familiar sight in Indian kitchens, especially among home cooks who want to understand what goes into their everyday meals and how ingredients affect taste and texture. If you’ve ever wondered what sets cold-pressed oils apart from regular cooking oils, this guide breaks it down in a simple, practical way.
At Tata Simply Better, we believe better cooking begins with better understanding - and knowing your oil is a great place to start.
What Exactly Are Cold-Pressed Oils?
Simply put, cold-pressed oils are extracted from seeds or nuts using a mechanical pressing method, without applying excessive heat or chemical solvents.
In this process:
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Seeds are cleaned and slowly crushed
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Oil is extracted through pressure
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Minimal heat is generated naturally due to friction
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The oil retains its original aroma and flavour
This traditional method is why cold-pressed oils are often associated with more authentic taste and a closer connection to the source ingredient.
How Cold-Pressed Oils Are Different from Refined Oils
The main difference lies in how the oil is extracted.
Refined oils typically go through:
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High heat processing
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Chemical solvents
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Bleaching and deodorising steps
Cold-pressed oils, on the other hand:
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Skip chemical extraction
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Avoid excessive heat
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Retain the natural character of the seed or nut
For home cooks, this difference shows up clearly in aroma, colour, and how the oil behaves while cooking.
Why Home Cooks Are Choosing Cold-Pressed Oils
Cold-pressed oils have found a place in modern kitchens because they align well with everyday, mindful cooking.
Home cooks often appreciate cold-pressed oils because:
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They have a distinct, natural aroma
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They add depth to simple recipes
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They suit both traditional and modern dishes
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They feel closer to traditional cooking practices
Whether it’s a simple dal tadka or a slow-cooked sabzi, cold-pressed oils bring a noticeable difference to the pan.
Common Types of Cold-Pressed Oils Used at Home
Indian kitchens use a variety of cold-pressed oils depending on cuisine, region, and personal preference.
Some popular options include:
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Cold-pressed groundnut oil for everyday cooking
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Cold-pressed mustard oil for bold, regional flavours
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Cold-pressed coconut oil for South Indian dishes and baking
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Cold-pressed sesame oil for tempering and traditional recipes
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Cold-pressed sunflower oil for lighter preparations
Each oil has its own personality, and many home cooks rotate between them based on the dish.
How to Cook with Cold-Pressed Oils at Home
Using cold-pressed oils doesn’t require changing your cooking style - just a little awareness.
Here are a few practical tips:
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Use medium heat to preserve aroma
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Add oil at the right stage of cooking
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Use smaller quantities - flavour goes a long way
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Match the oil to the recipe
Cold-pressed oils work well for sautéing, tempering, shallow frying, and even baking, depending on the type you choose.
What to Expect When You Switch to Cold-Pressed Oils
If you’re new to cold-pressed oils, you may notice a few immediate differences:
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A stronger, more natural aroma
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Slight variation in colour
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Richer flavour in everyday dishes
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A feeling of cooking closer to tradition
These changes are completely normal and often appreciated once home cooks adjust to them.
How to Choose the Right Cold-Pressed Oil for Your Kitchen
Choosing among cold-pressed oils depends on how and what you cook.
Ask yourself:
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Do I cook mostly Indian or continental food?
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Do I prefer mild or bold flavours?
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Will I use one oil or multiple oils?
Many home kitchens keep more than one cold-pressed oil to suit different recipes - a practical and flexible approach.
Why Tata Simply Better Cold-Pressed Oils Stand Out
At Tata Simply Better, our cold-pressed oils are crafted using careful extraction methods that respect traditional practices while meeting modern quality standards.
What makes them suitable for home kitchens:
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Naturally extracted without chemical solvents
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Retain original aroma and taste
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Consistent quality across batches
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Made with Tata’s trusted process and sourcing
We focus on making cold-pressed oils accessible, reliable, and easy to use for everyday cooking.
Better Cooking Starts with Better Choices
Understanding what goes into your cooking oil helps you cook with more confidence. Cold-pressed oils invite home cooks to slow down, pay attention to ingredients, and enjoy the process of cooking just a little more.
They don’t demand complicated recipes - they simply elevate the ones you already love.
Final Thought
Cooking at home is about comfort, familiarity, and trust in your ingredients. With Tata Simply Better cold-pressed oils, you’re choosing oils that stay true to their source and support thoughtful, flavourful cooking every day.
With Tata Simply Better, Tata Consumer Products has entered into a new category, with a range of cold-pressed oils aimed at consumers who want to include cold-pressed oils in their kitchens. Tata Simply Better has come with various cold-pressed oils - Groundnut, Virgin Coconut, Sesame, Extra Virgin Olive, Mustard and Sunflower Oil, that provide a more nutritious alternative to traditional cooking oils.
These oils are carefully extracted to retain their natural goodness, and they are free from trans fats and cholesterol. By using the finest A1-grade ingredients, Tata Simply Better ensures that its products offer a superior culinary experience while promoting overall well-being.