How to Choose Good Cold Pressed Oil: A Buyer's Checklist

More and more brands now sell "cold pressed" and "chekku" oil. So how do you pick a good bottle? The label, the look of the oil and its smell tell you most of what you need to know. Use this checklist the next time you shop.

What should I check on a cold pressed oil label?

Check five things on the label: the ingredient, the words "cold pressed" or "chekku", the FSSAI licence number, the packing and best-before dates, and the maker's name and address. A good label is clear about all five.

In short:

1. Single ingredient. Groundnut oil should say groundnut; sesame oil should say sesame (gingelly); coconut oil should say coconut or copra.
2. "Cold pressed" or "chekku" on the pack. The method of extraction should be clearly stated.
3. FSSAI licence number. A 14-digit number printed on the pack.
4. Packing date and best-before date. Both should be easy to find.
5. Maker's name and full address. So you know who made the oil and where.

Why does the ingredient list matter?

A single cold pressed oil should have only one ingredient: the seed or nut it is pressed from. If you see words like "blended", "mixed edible oil" or more than one oil listed, it is a blend, not a single oil.

Read the small print, not just the big words on the front. For example, Chettyz cold pressed groundnut oil is pressed from sun-dried native groundnuts, with nothing added.

What do "cold pressed" and "chekku" mean on a pack?

Both words mean the oil was taken out by mechanical pressing, without chemical solvents and without refining. "Chekku" is the Tamil word for an oil press; "cold pressed" is the English term.

If a pack says "refined", the oil has usually been solvent-extracted and then bleached and deodorised. If it says neither "cold pressed" nor "refined", ask the seller. To understand the methods in detail, read what is chekku oil: chekku vs cold pressed vs refined.

How do I check the FSSAI licence number?

Look for the FSSAI logo and a 14-digit licence number on the pack. Food businesses in India need FSSAI registration or a licence.

You can look up the number on the official FSSAI licensing website to see which business it belongs to. Chettyz products carry our FSSAI licence number, 12418005000676, on every pack, along with the maker's address: Sasi's Home Foods, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu.

Why do the packing date and best-before date matter?

Cold pressed oil is not refined, so it is best enjoyed fresh. The packing date tells you how fresh the oil is, and the best-before date tells you how long to use it.

Pick the most recently packed bottle you can find. Chettyz oils are prepared fresh; always check the best-before date on the pack.

Is cloudiness or sediment in cold pressed oil normal?

Yes. A slightly cloudy look or a thin layer of fine particles at the bottom of the bottle is common in cold pressed oil. These are natural parts of the seed that settle over time.

Refined oil looks perfectly clear because it is bleached and deodorised. Cold pressed oil skips these steps. If you prefer, let the bottle stand and pour gently from the top.

Why does my coconut oil turn white and solid?

Coconut oil naturally turns white and solid when the weather is cool, such as on winter mornings or in an air-conditioned room. This is normal and does not mean anything is wrong.

To melt it, stand the bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. Never heat the bottle directly on the stove. Chettyz cold pressed coconut oil is pressed from sun-dried copra, and it behaves just like this.

What should good cold pressed oil smell and taste like?

Good cold pressed oil should smell and taste of its seed. Groundnut oil should smell nutty, sesame oil should have a rich sesame aroma, and coconut oil should smell clearly of coconut.

A sharp or stale smell can mean the oil is old or was not stored well. If an oil sold as cold pressed has almost no smell, ask the seller how it was made. Chettyz cold pressed sesame oil is pressed from sun-dried black sesame seeds and has the familiar nallennai aroma.

How should I store cold pressed oil at home?

Keep the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and the heat of the stove. Do not let water get into the bottle.

• Use a dry ladle or spoon.
• Wash and fully dry any container you refill.
• Buy a pack size you will finish before the best-before date.

Where can I buy cold pressed oil I can trust?

Buy from a brand that tells you clearly what is in the bottle, how it is made and who made it. Chettyz chekku / cold pressed oils are mechanically pressed, with no chemical solvents, not refined and with nothing added, and are sold on chettyz.com, Amazon.in and in departmental stores.

Learn more about Chettyz, read our story, or find out which oil to use for which Tamil dish.

Quick answers

How can I tell if oil is really cold pressed?

Check that the label says "cold pressed" or "chekku", lists a single ingredient, shows an FSSAI licence number and names the maker. The oil should also smell clearly of its seed.

Is sediment in cold pressed oil bad?

No. Fine sediment or slight cloudiness is common in cold pressed oil because it is not refined.

Why is my coconut oil solid?

Coconut oil turns solid in cool weather. Keep it in a warm place or stand the bottle in warm water and it will melt.

Where is the FSSAI number on an oil bottle?

It is printed on the label, usually near the FSSAI logo, and is 14 digits long.

Shop Chettyz chekku / cold pressed oils – free shipping on orders above ₹499. More questions? See our FAQs.