In today’s world, where the importance of conscious living and mindful eating is growing rapidly, cold-pressed oils are making their way back into Indian kitchens. Our grandparents always preferred oils extracted through traditional methods—without heat, without chemicals, and full of nutrients. And now, we are finally catching up again.

At Medhavi SuperFoods, we believe that the oil you use in your everyday cooking plays a much bigger role in your overall health than most people realise. But with so many types of oils available, it’s easy to get confused. Mustard or coconut? Groundnut or sesame? Which is best for frying? Which is better for skin and massage?

Let’s simplify it for you. Here’s a practical guide to help you choose the right wood cold-pressed oil for your kitchen, depending on your cooking style, health goals, and regional preferences.

What is Wood Cold-Pressed Oil?

Wood cold-pressed oil, also known as “Lakdi Ghani” oil, is extracted using a traditional wooden churner at a slow speed, usually below 45°C. This helps retain the oil’s original flavour, aroma, nutrients, and antioxidants. Unlike refined oils, cold-pressed oils are free from chemicals, bleaching, or heat treatment.

They are not just cooking oils—they are functional foods. That’s why they are ideal for anyone trying to eat clean, reduce inflammation, or follow a more natural lifestyle.

1. Understand Your Regional & Traditional Preferences

India is diverse, and so are our food habits. A lot depends on where you come from.

• In South India, people prefer cold-pressed coconut oil for curries, frying, and even hair oiling.
  
  

• In Eastern and Northern India, mustard oil is the go-to for everyday cooking, especially for vegetables, fish, and pickles.
  
  

• In Western India, especially Gujarat and Maharashtra, groundnut oil is commonly used for deep frying and regular cooking.
  
  

• Sesame oil (or til oil) is widely used in Tamil Nadu and also for Ayurvedic massage.
  
  

Respecting your roots often leads you to the oil that your body is naturally more adapted to.

2. Consider the Cooking Temperature

Different oils have different smoke points (the temperature at which oil starts to burn and lose nutrients). Here's a quick breakdown:

• Groundnut Oil – High smoke point, perfect for deep frying, tadkas, and heavy Indian cooking.
  
  

• Coconut Oil – Medium smoke point, ideal for sautéing, curries, and traditional South Indian dishes.
  
  

• Mustard Oil – Medium to high smoke point; great for frying, pickles, and pungent flavour-based recipes.
  
  

• Sesame Oil – Low to medium smoke point; best for light cooking, drizzling over dishes, or using raw in chutneys and dressings.
  
  

If you're someone who does a lot of frying, go for groundnut or mustard. If your cooking involves more steaming, stir-frying, or raw preparations, sesame and coconut can be wonderful options.

3. Focus on Health Benefits

Each oil brings a unique nutritional profile:

• Mustard Oil: Rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), omega-3, and antibacterial properties. Helps with digestion, skin health, and joint pain.
  
  

• Groundnut Oil: A good source of vitamin E and healthy fats. Supports heart health and is good for skin.
  
  

• Coconut Oil: Contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that support metabolism, brain function, and immune strength.
  
  

• Sesame Oil: Loaded with antioxidants, calcium, and zinc. Great for bones, heart health, and skin.
  
  

Choose based on what your body needs. For example, if you're looking to manage cholesterol, groundnut or mustard oil is a good pick. If you're focusing on digestion or skin health, sesame or coconut oil may be better.

4. Check for Authenticity and Purity

In the name of cold-pressed oil, many brands use misleading labels or blend with refined oils. Here’s what to look for in a genuine wood-pressed oil:

• Unrefined and unfiltered: Slight sediments and cloudiness are a sign of purity.
  
  

• No chemicals or preservatives: Should be 100% natural, preferably single-ingredient.
  
  

• Sourced from good quality raw materials: The oil is only as good as the seed or nut it is extracted from.
  
  

At Medhavi SuperFoods, we ensure our oils are wood-pressed using premium-grade raw materials, extracted at low temperature, and packed without additives. What you get is just pure, clean, chemical-free oil, straight from our traditional setup to your home.

5. Choose Based on Usage Beyond Cooking

Cold-pressed oils are not limited to food alone. Depending on your needs, here are a few additional uses:

• Mustard oil – Great for hair massage, relieving colds, and applying on joints for pain relief.
  
  

• Coconut oil – Ideal for baby massage, oil pulling, makeup removal, and scalp care.
  
  

• Sesame oil – Widely used in oil pulling (gandusha), Ayurvedic treatments, and nourishing dry skin.
  
  

• Groundnut oil – Can be used in moisturisers, face packs, and homemade salves.
  
  

So if you're someone who uses oils for wellness, skincare, or home remedies, choose an oil that aligns with your multi-purpose needs.

Final Thoughts: Blend Tradition with Personal Preference

You don’t need to limit yourself to one oil. Keep a few cold-pressed oils in your pantry—each one for a different use. Maybe coconut oil for hair care and summer cooking, mustard oil for hearty North Indian meals, and groundnut oil for everyday deep frying.

Just make sure whatever you pick is pure, traditionally extracted, and chemical-free—that’s the real power of cold-pressed oil.

With Medhavi SuperFoods Wood Cold-Pressed Oils, you're not just adding an ingredient to your kitchen—you're inviting nature’s wisdom, purity, and nutrition into your everyday life.

Looking to switch to cold-pressed oils? Explore our full range of mustard, groundnut, coconut, sesame, and almond oils—crafted traditionally, delivered with care.

Let your kitchen be a place where health and tradition go hand in hand.