What do they mean by cold press?
Introduction
Cold press refers to a method of oil extraction that does not use heat or chemicals. Instead, cold press extraction relies solely on mechanical pressure to extract oil from seeds, nuts, and fruit. This preserves more of the natural nutrients, flavors, and aromas of the original plant material. Cold pressed oils have become popular among health-conscious consumers looking for oils that retain their natural properties. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how cold pressing works, its key benefits, and the types of oils that are commonly cold pressed.
How Cold Pressing Works
Cold pressing relies on direct mechanical pressure to crush and squeeze out oil from plant materials. The basic steps are:
Seed Cleaning and Sorting
The seeds, nuts, or fruit used for pressing need to be cleaned to remove any debris. Sorting may also be required to remove any defective or bad quality ingredients. This helps ensure a quality finished oil.
Crushing
The ingredients are crushed into a paste. This ruptures the cells and releases the oil while keeping the temperature low.
Pressing
The paste is spread onto pressing plates and hydraulic or screw presses apply direct pressure to squeeze out the oil. The pressure applied varies depending on the type of material. Harder materials like nuts require more pressure than soft materials like olives.
Settling and Filtration
After pressing, the oil mixture is allowed to settle. The sediment settles to the bottom and the pure oil can be decanted off the top. The oil may also go through an additional filtration process to remove any fine sediment.
| Cold Press Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| Seed Cleaning and Sorting | Removes debris and defects |
| Crushing | Crushes seeds into paste to release oils |
| Pressing | Squeezes out oil by applying pressure |
| Settling and Filtration | Lets sediment settle; Filters fine particles |
The most defining feature of cold pressing is that no additional heat or solvents are used during the extraction process. The oil is simply extracted by mechanical pressure alone. This is what allows cold pressed oils to retain more of their natural bioactive compounds, aroma, and flavor.
Benefits of Cold Pressing
There are several key benefits that make cold pressed oils attractive:
Higher Natural Nutrient Content
Cold pressing preserves more of the natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in seeds and fruits. Heat and chemical solvents degrade these sensitive nutrients. Cold pressed oils have been shown to contain higher levels of bioactive compounds like polyphenols and phytosterols.
Retained Freshness
The flavors and aromas of plant materials are better preserved through cold pressing. Oils keep their “fresh from the farm” taste. Cold pressed olive oil, for example, has a characteristic peppery bite and grassy aroma.
No Chemical Residues
No chemical solvents are ever used in cold pressing. The oils are 100% pure and contain no residual chemical contaminants. This makes cold pressed oils popular for those following clean eating lifestyles.
Higher Smoke Points
The absence of heat damage during cold pressing results in oils with naturally high smoke points. This makes them suitable for various cooking methods including frying, roasting, and baking.
Longer Shelf Life
Cold pressed oils rich in antioxidants enjoy longer shelf lives compared to their hot pressed counterparts. The oils resist oxidation and rancidity for an extended period.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Higher Natural Nutrient Content | Preserves sensitive vitamins, minerals, antioxidants |
| Retained Freshness | Maintains natural flavors and aromas |
| No Chemical Residues | 100% pure and natural oils |
| Higher Smoke Points | Suitable for various cooking methods |
| Longer Shelf Life | Resists oxidation and rancidity longer |
Clearly, cold pressing has some key advantages when it comes to both nutrition and taste. But it’s important to keep in mind that not all cold pressed oils are created equal. The quality can vary widely depending on the materials used and specific production practices. Reputable producers follow careful protocols to ensure a top-notch product.
Common Cold Pressed Oils
A variety of different types of oils can be cold pressed. Some of the most common choices include:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
One of the most popular pantry staples, extra virgin olive oil is always cold pressed. High quality extra virgin olive oil contains abundant monounsaturated fats and polyphenol antioxidants that provide notable health benefits. The gradings of “extra virgin” and “virgin” designate oil obtained by mechanical means alone.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil pressed from fresh coconut meat provides a mildly tropical oil rich in medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). These MCTs are efficiently used for energy by the body and have health benefits. Cold pressed coconut oil maintains the fresh coconut taste and aroma.
Flaxseed Oil
Valued as a plant-based source of heart-healthy omega-3 ALA fats, flaxseed oil is pressed from flaxseeds. Cold pressing helps stabilize the sensitive omega-3s against damage from heat, light, and oxygen. The oil has a characteristic nutty flavor.
Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seeds yield an oil rich in omega fatty acids, vitamin E and magnesium. The oil has a pleasantly nutty/grassy flavor. Like flaxseed oil, cold pressing preserves the integrity of the fragile omega fats in hemp oil.
Argan Oil
Exotic argan oil is pressed from the nuts of the argan tree native to Morocco. It contains high levels of oleic acid (omega-9) as well as antioxidant vitamin E and phenols. Cold pressing argan oil helps retain maximum nutrition.
Walnut Oil
Oil pressed from English walnuts has a distinctive nutty aroma. It contains a good balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Cold pressed walnut oil is popular for Salad dressings and as a cooking oil.
| Oil | Description |
|---|---|
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Classic oil with healthy fats and antioxidants |
| Coconut Oil | Tropical MCT-rich oil |
| Flaxseed Oil | Plant-based omega-3 ALA oil |
| Hemp Seed Oil | Nutty seed oil with omega fatty acids |
| Argan Oil | Moroccan oil high in healthy fats |
| Walnut Oil | Nutty oil with omega fatty acid balance |
This list just highlights a few of the many cold pressed oils available today like avocado, grapeseed, sunflower, pecan, and pumpkin seed oil. Always look for the “cold pressed” label when shopping for these oils to ensure you’re getting the highest quality version.
Cold Pressing vs. Hot Pressing
To understand cold pressing, it helps to compare it to hot pressing methods. Hot pressing uses external heat and steam injection to facilitate the extraction process. The high temperatures help increase oil yields. But there are some downsides:
Nutrient Loss
Heat degrades and destroys the natural, sensitive micronutrients in seeds and fruits. Hot pressed oils may contain lower levels of bioactives like antioxidants.
Altered Flavors
Exposing oils to high heat leads to a loss of fresh, delicate flavors and instead imparts a flat, generic taste. Nuances are lost.
Higher Acidity
The use of heat often increases free fatty acid levels in oils, raising acidity. Cold pressing minimizes acidity increases.
Lower Smoke Points
With heat damage, hot pressed oils have lower smoke points. This reduces their versatility for cooking applications.
| Factor | Cold Pressing | Hot Pressing |
|---|---|---|
| Nutrient Content | Higher | Lower |
| Flavors and Aromas | Preserved | Altered |
| Acidity Levels | Lower | Higher |
| Smoke Points | Higher | Lower |
For the healthiest and tastiest oils, cold pressing is the superior extraction method. The only downside is that smaller yields mean cold pressed oils can be a bit pricier than inferior hot pressed versions. But consumers are often happy to pay more for the quality.
Should All Oils Be Cold Pressed?
While cold pressing certainly has some advantages, it isn’t necessarily ideal for all oil types. Some considerations include:
Low Oil Content
Materials with very low natural oil content are pressed more efficiently with some heat. Using cold press alone gives disappointingly low yields.
Highly Stable Oils
Oils with high saturation levels and low polyunsaturates like coconut, palm, and avocado oil already have excellent stability. Cold pressing provides little added benefit for shelf life or heat tolerance.
Cost Factor
Cold pressing equipment has high upfront costs. The smaller yields also make cold pressed oils more expensive for everyday consumer cooking use. Some hot pressed versions provide an acceptable quality for an affordable price.
Organic Practices
For oils with naturally low anti-oxidants like grapeseed oil, adherence to careful organic practices may be more important than cold vs. hot debate. Overall production protocols impact quality.
While some oils clearly benefit from cold pressing, it isn’t a hard requirement for every oil situation. Consumers should weigh out their priorities for a given oil use. In many cases, cold pressing provides the ultimate quality.
Quality Characteristics of Cold Pressed Oils
Not all cold pressed oils are equal when it comes to nutrition, taste, and general quality. Here are some signs to look for in a high quality cold pressed oil:
Organic Ingredients
Cold pressed oils made from organic seeds, nuts, or fruit free of GMOs, pesticides, and chemicals retain the most natural nutrients.
First Pressing
The first pressing yields the purest, highest quality oil rather than doing multiple pressings.
Protected From Light
Packaging in dark glass or metal containers prevents light exposure which damages oils.
Prompt Bottling
Fast bottling right after pressing prevents oxidation and nutrient loss in the extracted oils.
Lack of Sediment
A sediment-free, crystal clear appearance indicates thorough filtering. Cloudiness suggests residual sediment.
Harvest Date
A “pressed-on” date within a few months of harvest ensures freshness.
When sourcing cold pressed oils, these are helpful indicators that proper processes were followed all the way from farm to finished product.
Tips for Using Cold Pressed Oils
Here are some tips for handling, storing, and using your cold pressed oils:
Store in Cool, Dark Places
Keep oils away from heat and light to maintain integrity. The refrigerator is ideal but not required.
Limit Headspace in Bottles
Minimize oxygen exposure by keeping bottles full after each use. Oxygen causes oxidation.
Use Within Shelf Life
Cold pressed oils have longer shelf lives but still degrade over time. Use within the window recommended by your specific oil’s producer.
Don’t Heat Too High
While cold pressed oils can handle some heat, extremely high temperatures still degrade quality. Keep below an oil’s smoke point.
Enjoy Raw
You can enjoy deliciously flavored cold pressed oils like olive and avocado oil raw over salads or bread. No cooking required.
Following these best practices allows you to benefit from all the natural nutrition and flavors cold pressed oils bring to the table.
Conclusion
Cold pressing is an extraction method gaining popularity among discerning consumers who want the highest quality, tastiest oils possible. Mechanically pressing oils keeps fragile nutrients intact and preserves delicious flavors and aromas. While not practical for all oil types, cold pressing provides notable advantages for oils like olive, coconut, and flaxseed. Reading labels to find “cold pressed” on reputable brands is an easy way to upgrade your health along with your homemade dressings, dips, and dishes.