We all know that oil plays a role in our diets, but what many people don’t realize is that there are different types of oil processing methods. Knowing the difference between these processing methods can help you make more informed decisions when it comes to choosing the best oils for your health and wellbeing. So, let’s take a look at what these different processing methods involve and why it matters.

Expeller-Pressed Oils

Expeller-pressed oils are made by pressing oil out of a nut or seed with mechanical pressure. This method does not use any chemicals or solvents, which means the resulting oil retains its natural flavor and nutrients. No heat is added during the process, but the friction can generate heat. Expeller-pressed oils are usually more expensive than other processed oils, but they offer greater health benefits due to their higher nutrient content.

Cold-Pressed Oils

Cold-pressed oils are made using a low temperature extraction process that helps preserve the beneficial fatty acids and vitamins found in nuts and seeds. This type of oil processing is often considered to be a more natural approach because it does not involve any harsh chemicals or high temperatures that can damage the oil’s nutritional value. Cold-pressed oils also tend to have higher levels of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and other beneficial compounds than other processed varieties and are best used at lower temperatures such as in dips and salad dressings. 

Refined Oils

Refined oils are made by treating raw oil with high heat or chemical solvents in order to remove impurities such as waxes and proteins that can affect the taste, smell, color, and shelf life of the final product. This type of processing removes some beneficial compounds from the oil, but leaves the oil more stable than unrefined oils for high-heat cooking. 

When deciding which type of oil to use for cooking and baking purposes, it's important to understand how each kind is processed so you can make an informed decision about which one is best for your needs. For optimal health benefits we recommend opting for cold-processed or expeller-pressed varieties whenever possible as these tend to retain more beneficial compounds such as antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, etc., while refined varieties contain fewer nutrients due to their harsher production process.