Choosing the right cooking oil for your family depends on how the oil is processed, how it fits into everyday meals, and how it complements different cooking styles. Cold pressed oils are extracted using
mechanical methods without high heat or chemicals, while refined oils undergo multiple stages of processing. Understanding these differences helps families make informed decisions that align with taste preferences, cooking habits, and traditional practices. Cold pressed oils are increasingly becoming part of conversations around everyday cooking as families begin to question what truly belongs in their kitchen. Oil is used in almost every meal – from breakfast tadkas to dinner curries – yet it is often chosen out of habit rather than awareness.
When the question is “which oil is actually good for my family,” the answer isn’t about picking one universal option. It’s about understanding how oils are made, how they behave in cooking, and how they fit into different family meals.
Why the Choice of Cooking Oil Matters at Home Every household cooks differently. Some meals are slow-cooked, some are fried, and others rely on light sautéing or finishing drizzles. The oil used influences not just flavour, but also how ingredients come together in a dish.
Over time, families are moving away from one-size-fits-all oils and exploring options that suit specific cooking styles. This shift has brought renewed attention to cold pressed oils, which are extracted using traditional methods that preserve the oil’s original character.
Understanding Cold Pressed Oils Cold pressed oils are made by mechanically pressing seeds, nuts, or fruits at controlled temperatures. This process avoids high heat and chemical solvents, allowing the oil to retain its natural aroma, colour, and flavour.
Unlike refined oils, cold pressed oils do not go through additional steps like bleaching or deodorising. As a result, they stay closer to their original form and bring a distinct presence to everyday cooking.
Popular cold pressed oils include coconut, mustard, groundnut, sesame, sunflower, and olive oil – each commonly used in Indian and global cuisines.
Refined Oils and How They Differ Refined oils are processed to achieve a uniform appearance, neutral flavour, and longer shelf life. After extraction, these oils are treated using: • Chemical neutralisation • Bleaching to remove colour • Deodorisation at high temperatures While this makes refined oils visually consistent and suitable for certain high-heat applications, it also removes much of the oil’s original identity. For families focused on traditional cooking and flavour-led meals, this neutrality often feels like something is missing.
Why More Families Are Choosing Cold Pressed Oils The growing preference for cold pressed oils is driven by simple, practical reasons: • Familiar extraction methods rooted in tradition • Clear information about sourcing and processing • Oils that add flavour rather than masking it • Options suited for different age groups and meals From children’s lunchboxes to elaborate weekend cooking, families are finding that cold pressed oils allow them to match the oil to the dish instead of adjusting the dish to the oil.
Choosing the Right Oil for Different Family Meals No single oil works for everything, which is why variety matters. Cold pressed oils make it easier to choose based on how and what you cook: • Cold pressed sunflower oil works well for everyday meals like sabzis, dals, and breakfast dishes • Cold pressed groundnut oil suits frying, parathas, and traditional Indian cooking • Cold pressed mustard oil adds depth to pickles, curries, and spice tempering • Cold pressed sesame oil is ideal for South Indian dishes and stir-fries • Cold pressed coconut oil works beautifully for sautéing, baking, and coastal cuisines • Cold pressed olive oil is best for drizzling, dips, salads, and low-heat cooking This flexibility helps families cook familiar meals without compromise.
What to Look for When Buying Oil for Your Family When choosing oils for daily use, a few simple checks make all the difference: • Clearly mentioned cold pressing method • Minimal processing information on the label • Trusted sourcing of seeds or fruits • Packaging that protects the oil from light and air Cold pressed oils stored properly retain their quality and character, making them suitable for regular household use.
Tata Simply Better and Everyday Family Cooking At Tata Simply Better, the focus is on offering cold pressed oils that fit naturally into Indian kitchens. Each oil in the range is made using carefully selected ingredients and extraction methods that avoid unnecessary processing.
The range includes coconut, mustard, groundnut, sesame, sunflower, and olive oil – designed to support different cooking styles while maintaining consistency, purity, and trust. For families, this means having the freedom to cook diverse meals using oils that feel familiar and dependable.
So, Which Oil Is Actually Good for Your Family? The answer lies in understanding your cooking habits and choosing oils that complement them. Refined oils may offer uniformity, but cold pressed oils offer variety, flavour, and a closer connection to traditional cooking practices.
As more families move towards thoughtful choices in their kitchens, cold pressed oils continue to stand out as an option that balances everyday convenience with authenticity. Not by changing what families cook — but by improving how those meals come together, one pan at a time.
(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR
