Cold-pressed oils are vegetable oils obtained by pressing seeds, kernels or fruit without heat treatment. WeNatur's Natural Oils collection brings together Zühre Ana's cold-pressed oils in 250 ml glass bottles, a St. John's wort oil prepared by maceration and Lychnos olive oils. In this guide you will get to know the varieties, learn what to look for on the label and find practical ideas for using the oils in the kitchen and in everyday care.
What are cold-pressed oils?
Different methods are used to produce vegetable oils. In cold pressing, the raw material is pressed mechanically without being exposed to high temperatures, and the oil is separated this way. In our product descriptions, the phrase "pressed using the cold-press method without heat treatment" describes exactly this process. Cold-pressed oils therefore clearly carry the aroma and colour typical of their raw material: pumpkin seed oil is dark and intense, sesame oil has a light sesame aroma, and sweet almond oil is mild and light.
Maceration, on the other hand, is a different method. Here the flowers of a plant are steeped in a carrier vegetable oil, and components of the plant pass into the oil. Zühre Ana St. John's Wort Oil is prepared this way, without exposure to heat. For olive oil, the term "extra virgin" describes oil obtained from olives by mechanical means.
Cold-pressed oils and other natural oils at WeNatur
Zühre Ana cold-pressed oils (250 ml)
- Cold-Pressed Grape Seed Oil 250 ml: 100% pure grape seed oil with no preservatives, additives or colourings. With its light texture it is used in the kitchen and in skin, hair and body care routines.
- Cold-Pressed Sesame Oil 250 ml: 100% sesame oil, unrefined and free from additives. It offers a light sesame aroma.
- Cold-Pressed Sweet Almond Oil 250 ml: 100% pure sweet almond oil. Its mild aroma suits the kitchen, and its soft texture suits care routines.
- Cold-Pressed Pumpkin Seed Oil 250 ml: With its distinctive, intense aroma it stands out in cold dishes and gourmet recipes; it contains no additives and is made in Türkiye.
- Cold-Pressed Black Seed Oil 250 ml: It has the intense, spicy aroma typical of black cumin and can be used in the kitchen and in personal care routines.
Macerated oil: St. John's wort
Zühre Ana St. John's Wort Oil 250 ml is prepared by transferring St. John's wort flowers into vegetable oil using the traditional maceration method. It contains no additives, is made in Türkiye and is a traditional oil used in personal care routines and natural cosmetic formulations. Although it sits on the same shelf as the cold-pressed oils, its production method is different.
Lychnos olive oils
Lychnos Extra Virgin Olive Oil 750 ml is produced by cold pressing from selected olives of the Aegean region. The ingredient list states 100% extra virgin olive oil; it has a light fruity aroma, comes in a glass bottle and originates from Greece. For larger needs, Lychnos Olive Oil 5 l contains no additives and is suitable for everyday use.
What should you look for on the label of cold-pressed oils?
Reading the information on the back of the pack is enough to choose the right oil. We recommend paying attention to the following points:
- Production method: Terms such as "cold-pressed", "maceration" or "extra virgin" show how the oil was obtained.
- Ingredients: For single-ingredient oils, the list contains only the oil in question, for example "100% sesame oil".
- Additives and colourings: The descriptions of Zühre Ana oils state that they contain no additives; grape seed and sweet almond oil also contain no preservatives or colourings.
- Refined or not: Unrefined oils carry the aroma and colour of the raw material more clearly.
- Packaging: Zühre Ana oils and Lychnos Extra Virgin Olive Oil come in glass bottles.
- Intended use: The label states whether the product can be used in the kitchen, for care, or both.
- Allergen information: Allergens such as sesame and almond are stated on the label and on the product page.
Ideas for the kitchen
We recommend using cold-pressed oils without heating them, in salads and cold dishes. This way, the characteristic aroma of each oil comes through on the plate.
- Salad dressing: Mix pumpkin seed oil with a little vinegar and salt and drizzle it over green salads.
- Breakfast: Add a few drops of black seed oil to a cheese plate or olive spread for a spicy touch.
- Asian-inspired: Use sesame oil in cold noodle salads or vegetable sauces.
- Sweet dishes and breakfast: The mild aroma of sweet almond oil goes well with muesli and yoghurt.
- Vegetables and meze: Before serving, add a few drops of sesame or pumpkin seed oil to cooled vegetable dishes cooked in olive oil, to hummus or to lentil salad.
- Olive oil: Lychnos Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be used in many dishes, from salads and meze to fried food and sauces.
Use in everyday care
Grape seed, sweet almond, sesame and black seed oil, as well as St. John's wort oil, are also recommended for personal care routines in the product descriptions. You can warm a small amount of oil in your palm and apply it gently to the skin, hair ends or body. When using an oil for care, first try it on a small area of skin and stop using it if you notice any reaction. Keep the oils away from the eye area.
How should cold-pressed oils be stored?
Store vegetable oils in a cool, dark place with the lid tightly closed. This storage condition is also stated on the label of Lychnos Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Not leaving the oils next to sources of heat such as the hob or oven helps cold-pressed oils keep their aroma for longer. If you use the large 5-litre pack, it can be practical to decant the oil into a small, dark glass bottle for everyday use. Check the best-before date on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions: cold-pressed oils
Can cold-pressed oils be used for cooking?
To preserve their aroma, we recommend using Zühre Ana cold-pressed oils without heating, in salads and cold dishes. For cooking, Lychnos olive oils can be used for frying and hot dishes.
Is St. John's wort oil cold-pressed?
No. St. John's wort oil is prepared by maceration, a method in which the flowers are steeped in vegetable oil. That is why its label says "maceration".
Where is my order shipped from?
All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Germany with DHL or DPD; shipping within Germany is free for orders of 100 € or more. You can find the details in our shipping policy.
I can't decide which oil to choose. Who can I ask?
For questions about the products, you can reach us via our contact page.
Conclusion
Thanks to the aroma typical of their raw material, cold-pressed oils are very versatile in the kitchen, and some varieties also have a place in everyday care. You will find every variety in our Natural Oils collection. For other products such as pekmez, fruit concentrates and vinegar, also take a look at the parent category Traditional Food Products and the Pekmez collection.
Source: Wikipedia – Vegetable oil
