What Is Cold-Pressed Mustard Oil

Any country is also known for the cuisine and dishes that it comprises. It offers a great variety of delicacies that are mouthwatering and satisfying to your taste buds. India is where you shall find a vast variety of cuisines and dishes. With each region, the types of food that are offered also change and they have their distinct flavors and tastes. Naturally, all these foods have to be prepared after following their methodical cooking process and oil is one thing that is needed to cook many of these dishes. Cold-pressed mustard oil is one of the common things that is required to cook and prepare many savory food items.   

Cold-pressed mustard oil is a common thing that is found in most Indian kitchens and even abroad. The oil is profoundly used in the eastern parts of India for cooking purposes. The oil comes in dark yellow and tastes slightly bitter along with emitting a strong pungent smell. Cold-pressed mustard oil has many other applications as well apart from cooking. The methodology of extracting and obtaining cold press mustard oil is quite different than the rest of the oils. Here, we shall discuss what exactly is cold pressed mustard oil, what are its uses and what all are its benefits.

Understanding Cold Pressed Mustard Oil? 

Cold press mustard oil is an edible oil that is extracted from the mustard seeds with the technique of cold pressing and without the use of high heat. The mustard seeds are mechanically pressed to extract oil without the use of heat and other chemical solvents. Through this method, the natural flavors, nutrition, and aroma of the oil are being preserved. Cold pressed mustard oil also has many health benefits which also makes it immensely popular. 

What is cold pressed oil?   

Before understanding what is cold pressed mustard oil, it is important to understand what is cold-pressed oil. 

Cold press oil is being extracted from seeds, fruits and nuts without using any heat. Traditionally, heat is being used for the extraction process which often modifies the chemical composition and nutritional values of the oil. cold pressing involves mechanical pressure for the extraction of oil from the raw material by maintaining low temperature throughout the extraction process. Cold pressing oil extraction usually includes four stages. 

The first one is to prepare the raw material like seeds, fruits and seeds by cleaning them for pressing.  The next stage is grinding and crushing in which the cleaned is being put to crush for creating a paste. The paste has the oil that has to be extracted. 

Then these pastes are put to mechanical pressure by using a hydraulic press or screw press. The pressure that is applied helps in releasing the oil from the paste. Once the oil is being extracted from the paste, the process of separation is done by filtration and other ways, obtaining pure and unrefined oil. The main advantage of cold press oil lies in the extraction process which is done at a low temperature in comparison to the conventional methods which involves heat. With this method, the natural flavor, aroma and nutritional values gets preserved. It is considered more natural or unrefined since it undergoes minimum processing and is preferred by those who looks for original qualities in the oil.

6 health benefits of cold pressed mustard oil?

Traditionally, cold pressed mustard oil is being used for cooking and also medical purposes in various cultures, in different parts of India. Though its vital to consume any oil in moderate quantity, there are some potential health benefits associated with the use of cold pressed mustard oil.

Has ample healthy fats

Cold pressed mustard oil is known for high level of monosaturated and polysaturated fats. It also comprises omega-3 and omega-3 fatty acids. These fats play a crucial role in reducing the danger of cardiovascular disease. 

Has anti-inflammatory properties 

Cold pressed mustard oil has compounds like alpha-linolenic acid and selenium which are known for anti-inflammatory properties. The oil can be advantageous for people having condition like joint pain and inflammatory conditions. 

Contains antioxidants

Cold-pressed mustard oil also contains antioxidants such as polyphenols and tocopherols. They aid in neutralizing the free radicals in the body and also contributes to the general well-being by safeguarding the cells from the oxidative stress. 

Heart health 

Some studies reveal that consuming cold pressed mustard oil can have a positive effect on cardiovascular health. It aids in reducing cholesterol, improves lipid profile   and supports proper blood circulation. The omega-3 fatty acid is quite beneficial for cardiovascular health. It is also good for respiratory health as in some cultures it is believed that inhaling mustard oil aroma can provide relief from congestion caused by cold and sinusitis.

Good for skin and hair health 

Cold pressed mustard oil is used as well for skin and hair care. It has moisturizing properties that can benefit skin and improves texture and strength of the air. 

Antibacterial qualities

It is that cold pressed mustard oil has antibacterial properties which can be beneficial for your oral health. In some cultures, it is believed mustard oil for oil pulling, a traditional method for aiding in oral hygiene. 

Difference Between Cold Pressed Mustard Oil and Normal Mustard Oil

Cold pressed mustard oil is being extracted mechanically by pressing the mustards seeds at the temperature which is below 50 degrees Celsius. The natural flavors, nutritional values and aroma of the oil remains intact due to the low temperature processing.  The regular mustard oil is being extracted by heating the seeds before pressing. The nutritional qualities and flavor get modified due to the high temperature.

Cold press mustard oil has a more pungent, strong natural flavor of the mustard seeds in comparison to refined mustard oil. That is why some people prefer the cold pressed mustard oil when it comes to traditional cooking methods. 

Cold pressed mustard oil has high nutritional value than the refined mustard oil. The cold pressed one has essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 along with vitamins, antioxidants and other beneficial elements.

Cold pressed mustard oil is used for dressing, marinating, and for those dishes where a strong and distinct flavor of mustard is necessary. The refined mustard oil on the other hand is good for frying, variety of culinary applications and sauteing. 

Are cold pressed mustard oil or mustard oil same?

Mustard oil itself is a big and broad term. It is quite important to understand the differences in the types of mustard oil, mainly due to their different extraction method. Cold pressed mustard oil and mustard oil are the two common variants. 

As discussed, cold pressed mustard oil is extracted by mechanically crushing the mustard seeds at a low temperature. The cold pressed mustard oil usually preserves the natural aroma, nutritional qualities, robust and pungent taste of the mustard. It is dark in color which also gives it the name of black mustard oil. 

Regular mustard oil undergoes high heating before extraction process by pressing. The flavor and aroma of the regular mustard oil is usually mild. The heating process causes some degradation in the nutritional values of the oil. Both the variants have different applications and are used on the basis of personal preferences. 

What are the uses of cold-pressed mustard oil? 

Cold pressed mustard oil can be used in a lot many ways. It can be used for cooking and a variety of other stuffs. Here are some of the ways cold pressed mustard oil can be used.       

Cooking 

The primary use of cold pressed mustard oil is cooking. Due to the high smoke point of the oil, it is best suited for sautéing and frying. It can be used as a marinade base for vegetables, meat and poultry dishes. The strong flavor of the cold pressed oil enhances its taste. It is also used extensively for traditional cooking and for enhancing flavor of soups, dal and stews. 

Medication and skin care

Cold pressed mustard oil has medical qualities which makes it an able candidate for traditional medicines. It is used for oil pulling, oral care and oil massage. The oil has skin care qualities which can take care of your skin health because of its moisturizing abilities. 

Cold pressed mustard oil in cooking

As discussed, there are many types of applications of cold pressed oil when it comes to cooking. The distinct flavor and pungent nature of the oil makes it a preferred one for various types of dishes. 

The cold pressed oil is also used for dressing and vinaigrettes. Combining the oil with vinegar, herbs, citrus juice and spices can make it an ideal choice for flavored dressing of salads or drizzling it over veggies. The robust and pungent smell of the cold pressed oil ca give an in-depth character to the dish that has curries and gravies 

Cold pressed mustard oil becomes a chief ingredient for preparing pickles due to its strong flavors and health benefits. Infusion or tadaka, which done by heating the oil and adding spices mustard seeds and other things is mostly done by cold pressed mustard oil. Grilled or roasted dishes are also best prepared by cold pressed oil since they can help in making the exterior deliciously crispy.

cold-pressed mustard oil in massage

Cold pressed oil has medicinal benefits and that is why is it is in national massaging therapies. You can use the oil for relaxation and also to get relief from some pain. 

Firstly, you need to get pure quality and unrefined organic cold pressed mustard oil to increase the potential nutritional and beneficial compounds.

Make the oil a little warmer by placing the oil container in warmwater or double boiler. See that the oil is comfortably warm and not that hot which can cause burns. 

Choose a comfortable are of your preference where you will take the massage by lying don on a clean sheet or towel. Do a patch test on the affected area to check for allergies against the oil. pour the warm oil on the area in small quantity and start by massaging the oil with your hands on the small area of the body. 

You can opt for various massaging techniques like long strokes, kneading, and circular motions. See where there is muscle stiffness, or discomfort in the body. In case of targeting specific areas which has soreness or pain, focus on massaging the area with cold pressed oil. The potential anti-inflammatory properties can be quite beneficial for you. 

Once the massaging is done, leave it for a while so it can be absorbed in the skin before you go for a wash. You can take a warm shower post massage to enhance the relaxation effect.   

Conclusion  

In the end, it can be stated that cold pressed mustard oil is quite versatile owing to its numerous health benefits and variety of applications. It is a must have oil of every kitchen. The oil provides a healthy cooking option and is also beneficial for your skin and hair. The cold pressed oil with its ayurvedic properties makes it a great choice for aromatherapy and massage. You can get good quality cold pressed mustard oil online and also at a nearby retail store. 

FAQ

What is Cold pressed mustard oil?

Cold pressed mustard oil is an edible cooking oil that is extracted by mechanically pressing the mustard seeds at a low temperature. Along with being used as a cooking oil, it is also used for skin, hair and massage therapy due to its medicinal properties.

Is cold pressed mustard oil better?

In comparison to refined or regular mustard oil, cold pressed mustard oil has more nutritional values and better taste due to its natural extraction process. Thus, it is of course better.

Which mustard oil is 100% pure?

Cold pressed mustard oil is considered to be 100 % pure since it is mechanically extracted at low temperature with no chemical additives.

Is cold-pressed mustard oil good for massage?

Cold pressed mustard oil is used in ayurvedic therapy due to its medicinal properties. It is also used in traditional massage practices in some cultures because of its medicinal qualities. 

Why Choose Cold-Pressed Mustard Oil? 

Cold pressed mustard oil should be chosen because of the factors such as its extraction process, nutritional values, aroma, flavors and mainly its health benefits.

Is cold-pressed mustard oil good for cooking?

Yes, cold pressed mustard oil or organic cold-pressed mustard oil is an excellent choice for cooking. The oil is used in many types of cuisines, especially in Indian and South Asian cooking. It is preferred mainly because of its nutritional content, aroma, taste, and health benefits.