All vegetable oils need some level of processing to extract the oil from the plants. However refined vegetable oils, such as canola, soybean, and corn, though convenient and with high smoke points which are great for cooking, have some significant drawbacks both for your health and the environment. We will let you look that one up and decide for yourself whether or not it matters.

But in the meantime, we have some alternatives you might like to try. If you have visited one of our physical stores, you might have noticed we have gone a little wild on cold-pressed oils. These avoid the high-heat and chemical solvents used in refining and preserves the natural antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals of the plant. They taste great too, although of course they are a lot more expensive, but that is a fair reflection of the quality.

Let’s look at some recipes and ideas on how to use cold-pressed oils!

Pumpkin Seed Oil

Pumpkin seed oil has a delicious nutty flavour and is rich in phytonutrients, often used in traditional medicine. Great addition to salads and soups.

Black Sesame Seed Oil 

Black sesame oil is a highly prized oil, especially in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, for its myriad of health benefits and unique flavor profile.

Flaxseed Oil 

Flaxseed oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acid and offers a plant-based alternative to fish oils for omega-3 intake.

Walnut Oil 

Has all the benefits of the other oils as well as a deep nutty flavour that can elevate any dish. Best used as a finishing oil.

Aluan Coconut

Olive oil and coconut are the two cold pressed oils best suited to cooking at high temperatures. We have a range of these oils, including cold-pressed rainforest friendly coconut oil from Aluan, an initiative on Simuelele Island that Bali Direct Store has been happy to support