How Wood-Pressed Oil Is Made - Making Process

Wood-pressed oil, also known as "ghani" or "kolhu" oil, is a traditional method of oil extraction that dates back centuries. This artisanal process involves the use of a wooden press (ghani) to extract oil from seeds or nuts. Here's how wood-pressed oil is made:

1. Seed or Nut Selection: High-quality seeds or nuts are carefully selected for oil extraction. Common sources include sesame seeds, peanuts, coconut, mustard seeds, and almonds. The quality of the raw material is essential for producing flavorful and nutritious oil.
2. Cleaning and Preparation: The seeds or nuts undergo thorough cleaning to remove any dirt, debris, or impurities. They are then dried to reduce moisture content and ensure optimal oil extraction efficiency.
3. Grinding or Crushing: The cleaned and dried seeds or nuts are crushed or ground into a coarse paste or meal. Traditionally, this step was carried out using stone mills or grinding stones to break down the seeds and release the oil.
4. Pressing: The ground seed or nut paste is placed in a wooden press (ghani) made of hardwood, such as teak or rosewood. The wooden press consists of a large cylindrical barrel with a rotating wooden screw or piston mechanism.
5. Application of Pressure: The wooden screw or piston is manually operated to apply pressure to the seed or nut paste. As pressure is exerted, the oil is gradually squeezed out of the paste and collected in a receptacle or container below the press.
6. Separation: The extracted oil is separated from the solid residue, known as the cake or meal, using filtration or decantation methods. Filtration involves passing the oil through fine mesh filters to remove any remaining particles or impurities, resulting in a clear and pure oil.
7. Storage and Packaging: The freshly extracted wood-pressed oil is stored in clean, airtight containers to protect it from light, air, and moisture. Proper storage helps preserve the freshness, flavor, and nutritional integrity of the oil. The oil is then packaged into bottles, jars, or containers, ready for distribution and sale.

Wood-pressed oil extraction is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process that requires skill and expertise. However, it is valued for its ability to produce high-quality, unrefined oil with superior flavor, aroma, and nutritional properties. This traditional method of oil extraction is cherished for its authenticity and connection to cultural heritage, making wood-pressed oil a popular choice among discerning consumers seeking premium-quality oils.

Talégaon Farms is a social enterprise that works with marginal farmers across India, helps them own the supply chain and thereby bring themselves out of poverty. The cold pressed oils we sell are made directly by marginal farmers in factories that they own and each purchase helps them bring themselves out of poverty with dignity. Talégaon Farms helps farmers with market intelligence, product quality and other aspects that help them create a suitable product for urban markets.