Cold-pressed oils are becoming popular in many Indian homes because they are pure, healthy, and full of natural goodness. But have you ever wondered how these oils are made? Let us understand the step-by-step process of making cold-pressed oil using the traditional wood-pressed (chekku) method.
Step 1: Selecting the Right Seeds
The first step is choosing good-quality seeds like groundnut, coconut, sesame, mustard, or sunflower. The seeds must be clean, fresh, and free from any dust or chemicals. This ensures the oil that comes out is healthy and safe to use.
Step 2: Cleaning and Drying the Seeds
Once selected, the seeds are cleaned to remove dust and small stones. After that, they are sun-dried properly. Drying is very important because it removes moisture, which helps increase the amount of oil extracted.
Step 3: Crushing the Seeds in a Wooden Ghani (Chekku)
The dried seeds are then slowly crushed in a wooden machine called a chekku or wooden ghani. In older times, bullocks were used to rotate the wooden press. Today, motors are used, but the speed is kept very slow so that no heat is generated.
Step 4: Natural Oil Extraction Without Heat
This slow pressing process does not produce any heat. This is the most important part of cold-pressing. Since there is no heat, the oil keeps its natural nutrients like Vitamin E, good fats, and antioxidants. The oil that comes out is thick and full of flavor.
Step 5: Natural Filtering
After the oil is collected, it is filtered using a clean cotton cloth. No chemicals or artificial filters are used. This keeps the oil as natural as possible. Sometimes, the oil is allowed to sit for a day or two so that any leftover seed pieces settle down naturally.
Step 6: Packing and Storing
Finally, the oil is packed in clean glass or tin containers. It should be stored in a cool, dry place to keep its freshness. Since cold-pressed oil has no chemicals, it may have a shorter shelf life than refined oil, but it is much better for health.
Why Wood-Pressed Oil is Better Than Refined Oil
- No heat, so all nutrients are kept safe
- No chemicals, bleach, or preservatives used
- Natural taste and smell
- Safe for cooking, baby massage, skin, and hair care
The wood-pressed method may take more time, but it gives us pure, natural oil that is full of health benefits. If you care about what you eat and apply on your skin, switching to cold-pressed oil is a smart and simple step.
Get Pure Wood-Pressed Oils from Swa Oils
At Swa Oils, we follow the traditional chekku method to give you clean, chemical-free oils. Try our cold-pressed coconut, groundnut, sesame, or sunflower oil and bring the power of tradition into your home!