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Pure Sesame Oil:
Wood Pressed vs Cold Pressed
and How to Buy the Right One
This guide clears up the confusion. We will look at what pure sesame oil actually is, how it is made, what separates wood pressed from cold pressed and how to buy sesame oil without being misled by fancy packaging.
Quick answer: Pure sesame oil is oil extracted only from sesame seeds, with nothing blended in. Wood pressed and cold pressed oils are both extracted using slow, low-heat methods, though the equipment differs. When buying, check the ingredient line, the extraction method, the FSSAI details, the dates and the aroma. Real sesame oil smells nutty and smells like the seed.
What Is Sesame Oil?
Sesame oil comes from the seeds of the sesame plant, one of the oldest oilseed crops in the world. You can read a good overview on the sesame oil Wikipedia page.
In India the oil goes by many names: gingelly oil in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, til ka tel in Hindi, nuvvula nune in Telugu and nallennai in Tamil. All of them refer to the same thing, oil extracted from sesame (til) seeds. It has been used for cooking, massage, lamps and traditional rituals for centuries.
Gingelly Oil, Til Oil and Til Ka Tel: Are They Different?
Not really. These are regional names for the same product. The variation you will notice is in how it is processed.
- Light sesame oil is made from raw, untoasted seeds and has a mild flavour.
- Toasted sesame oil is made from roasted seeds, has a dark colour and a very strong flavour, and is used mostly as a finishing oil in East Asian cooking.
- Indian gingelly oil is typically made from raw seeds and has a nutty, gentle aroma suited to everyday cooking, pickles and traditional dishes.
If the pack just says “sesame oil” and you are buying for Indian cooking or massage, look for the raw-seed version.
How Is Sesame Oil Made?
There are three broad approaches.
- Refined oil: Extracted using high heat or solvents, then bleached and deodorised. It is cheaper, lighter in colour and flavour and stored easily, but a lot of the natural character is lost.
- Cold pressed oil: Seeds are pressed mechanically, with temperatures kept relatively low, and the oil is filtered but not chemically refined.
- Wood pressed oil: Seeds are crushed in a traditional wooden or stone pestle press, known as a kolhu or ghani, which turns slowly and generates less heat.
You can find a background on the equipment on the oil press Wikipedia page.
Wood Pressed vs Cold Pressed Sesame Oil
The two terms overlap, and both aim to avoid high heat and chemical processing. The difference is mostly in the equipment and the marketing.
- Wood pressed points to a traditional wooden ghani. It is usually slower and produces smaller batches.
- Cold pressed usually refers to modern expellers that are designed to keep temperatures lower.
Neither term is a guarantee by itself. The quality depends on the seeds, the temperature control, the filtering and the storage. Rather than chasing a label, check whether the brand explains how the oil is made and whether it displays proper food safety details.
How to Buy Sesame Oil: A Simple Checklist
- Read the ingredient line. It should say sesame seeds or 100% sesame oil. Nothing else.
- Check the extraction method. Wood pressed or cold pressed is a good sign, provided the brand is transparent.
- Look for FSSAI details. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regulates edible oils, and every packaged oil should carry a licence number.
- Check dates. Manufacturing and best-before dates should be clear.
- Smell and colour. Pure sesame oil typically has a golden to amber colour and a nutty aroma.
- Choose the right pack size. A 500 ml bottle is good for trying a new brand, while a 1 litre pack suits regular users.
- Prefer dark or sturdy packaging. Light and heat spoil oils faster.
Greendumbells offers Wood-Pressed Sesame Oil in 500 ml and 1 litre packs, available across India and in 700+ stores, so you can choose the size that suits your household.
Simple Ways to Test Sesame Oil at Home
No home test is perfect, but a few observations help.
- Aroma: Rub a drop between your palms. It should smell nutty, not sharp, stale or chemical.
- Taste: A tiny amount should taste mild and slightly sweet-nutty.
- Clarity: A little natural sediment in unfiltered oil is normal. Cloudiness in cold weather is also common, since oils can thicken.
If you suspect adulteration, a lab test is the only definitive answer. Buying from a transparent brand matters more than any kitchen trick.
How to Cook With Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is a favourite for many South Indian and Eastern dishes. Here are a few common uses.
- Tempering: Heat gently and add mustard seeds, curry leaves and chillies for sambar, rasam or chutneys.
- Pickles: Traditional recipes often rely on gingelly oil for its flavour and preserving quality.
- Stir-fries: Use moderate heat for vegetables.
- Podi and idli: Mixing gingelly oil with idli podi is a classic combination.
- Sweets: Many traditional recipes use sesame oil for depth.
Avoid overheating any oil past its smoke point, as it spoils the flavour and breaks down the fats.
Nutrition and Health Basics
Sesame oil contains mostly unsaturated fats and has long been part of traditional Indian diets. Like all fats, it is calorie dense, so portion control matters. The Harvard Nutrition Source explains how different dietary fats affect health and why variety and moderation are helpful.
If you have a medical condition or follow a special diet, talk to your doctor or dietitian before making big changes to the oils you cook with.
How to Store Sesame Oil
- Keep the bottle tightly closed and away from sunlight and heat.
- Store in a cool, dry cupboard, not near the stove.
- Use a dry spoon or pour directly rather than dipping.
- Use the oil within the best-before period and avoid mixing old oil with fresh.
Beyond the Kitchen
Sesame oil is just as popular outside the kitchen. People use it for hair oiling, body massage and traditional wellness routines. We cover hair care in detail in our guide to sesame oil for hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gingelly oil the same as sesame oil?
Yes. Gingelly oil is the name commonly used in South India for sesame oil.
What is the difference between wood pressed and cold pressed sesame oil?
Wood pressed uses a traditional wooden press, while cold pressed typically uses modern equipment that keeps temperatures low. Both avoid heavy refining.
Which sesame oil is best for cooking?
Raw-seed, wood pressed or cold pressed sesame oil is popular for Indian cooking because of its mild nutty flavour. Toasted sesame oil is better as a finishing oil.
How do I know if sesame oil is pure?
Check that the ingredient list says only sesame, look for FSSAI details and buy from a transparent brand. Home tests are unreliable.
Where can I buy sesame oil online?
You can buy Wood-Pressed Sesame Oil from Greendumbells online, with delivery across India.
Final Thoughts
Pure sesame oil doesn’t need to be complicated. Check the ingredients, understand the extraction method and choose a brand that is honest about how its oil is made. Whether you are tempering sambar or massaging a tired scalp, a good bottle makes a visible difference. You can explore the range at Greendumbells.