What Is Chekku Oil? Chekku vs Cold Pressed vs Refined Oil

Walk into any Tamil kitchen and ask for "chekku ennai", and you will hear stories about the oil mill near grandmother's house. But what does chekku oil actually mean, and how is it different from the cold pressed and refined oils on supermarket shelves? This guide explains it in simple words.

What is chekku oil?

Chekku oil is oil that is pressed out of seeds or dried coconut by mechanical pressing, without chemical solvents. "Chekku" (செக்கு) is the Tamil word for an oil press, so chekku ennai (செக்கு எண்ணெய்) simply means pressed oil.

For generations, Tamil villages got their cooking oil this way. Families took groundnuts, sesame seeds or copra (dried coconut) to the local chekku, and the press slowly squeezed the oil out. The oil was then left to settle and filtered. Nothing was added and nothing was taken out except the solid cake left behind.

What does "cold pressed" mean?

Cold pressed oil is oil extracted by pressing, without the high heat used in some other extraction methods. The seeds are crushed and pressed, and the oil that comes out is filtered and bottled.

The word "cold" does not mean the seeds are chilled. It means the oil is not cooked out of the seed with strong heat, and no chemical is used to pull out extra oil. Because of this, cold pressed oil keeps the natural colour, smell and taste of the seed it came from.

Is chekku oil the same as cold pressed oil?

In everyday use, yes. "Chekku" is the Tamil name and "cold pressed" is the English name for the same idea: oil made by mechanical pressing, with no chemical solvents and no refining.

That is why many brands, including Chettyz, use both words. Our chekku / cold pressed oils are mechanically pressed, not refined, with nothing added.

How is refined oil made?

Refined oil is usually made in large factories in two stages: extraction and refining. The seeds are often pressed first, and the leftover cake is then treated with a chemical solvent (commonly hexane) to pull out the remaining oil. The solvent is removed later.

The oil then goes through refining steps. These typically include degumming, neutralising, bleaching and deodorising. The result is a clear, pale oil with very little smell or taste. Some cooks prefer this, and that is a personal choice. Cold pressed oil simply skips these steps.

What is the difference between chekku, cold pressed and refined oil?

Chekku and cold pressed oils are pressed and filtered only. Refined oil is usually solvent-extracted and then bleached and deodorised. Here is a simple side-by-side view.

Why does chekku oil look and smell different?

Chekku oil looks and smells like the seed because it is not bleached or deodorised. Groundnut oil smells nutty, sesame oil smells of roasted sesame, and coconut oil smells of coconut.

You may also see a thin layer of fine particles settle at the bottom of the bottle, or the oil may look slightly cloudy. This is common in unrefined oil and is not a fault. Coconut oil also turns white and solid in cool weather. Just keep the bottle in a warm spot or stand it in warm water for a while and it melts again. Read more in our buyer's checklist for cold pressed oil.

Which chekku oils do Tamil kitchens use?

The three classic chekku oils in Tamil Nadu are groundnut oil, sesame oil and coconut oil. Each has its own place in the kitchen.

• Kadalai ennai (groundnut oil): the everyday oil for poriyal, tempering and frying. Chettyz cold pressed groundnut oil is pressed from sun-dried native groundnuts.
• Nallennai / gingelly oil (sesame oil): the oil we mix with idli podi and use in kuzhambu and pickles. Chettyz cold pressed sesame oil is pressed from sun-dried black sesame seeds.
• Thengai ennai (coconut oil): for avial, poriyal and coconut-based dishes. Chettyz cold pressed coconut oil is pressed from sun-dried copra.

Not sure which one to use for which dish? See our guide: which oil for which Tamil dish.

How should I store chekku oil?

Keep chekku oil tightly closed in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and the heat of the stove. Do not let water get into the bottle, and always use a clean, dry container if you pour it into a smaller one.

Chettyz oils are prepared fresh. For how long to use the oil, check the best-before date on the pack.

Quick answers

What is chekku oil called in English?

Chekku oil is usually called cold pressed oil in English. Both names mean oil made by mechanical pressing without chemical solvents or refining.

Is chekku oil refined?

No. Chekku oil is pressed and filtered only. It is not bleached or deodorised, which is why it keeps the natural smell and colour of the seed.

Why is there sediment in my chekku oil?

Fine particles from the seed can settle at the bottom of unrefined oil. This is common in chekku and cold pressed oils and is not a sign of a problem.

Which chekku oil is best for daily cooking?

Most Tamil homes use groundnut oil for daily cooking, sesame oil for podi and kuzhambu, and coconut oil for coconut-based dishes. Many families keep all three.

Shop Chettyz chekku / cold pressed oils – free shipping on orders above ₹499.