Cold Pressed Peanut Oil: Complete Guide to Benefits, Uses, and Buying

Cold pressed peanut oil — also called cold pressed groundnut oil — is one of India's oldest cooking oils. It's been used in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra for centuries, and it remains the traditional cooking fat for some of India's most beloved cuisines.

Despite its long history, cold pressed peanut oil is often overlooked in the current wellness conversation, which tends to focus on mustard oil, coconut oil, and olive oil. This guide covers everything you need to know.

What Is Cold Pressed Peanut Oil?

Cold pressed peanut oil is extracted from peanuts (groundnuts) using mechanical pressing at low temperatures — typically below 45°C. This preserves the natural flavour, colour, and nutritional compounds of the peanut.

Refined peanut oil, by contrast, is extracted using chemical solvents (hexane) and then refined through degumming, neutralisation, bleaching, and deodorisation. The result is a pale, neutral-tasting oil with a longer shelf life but significantly reduced nutritional value.

Nutritional Profile

Per 100g cold pressed peanut oil:

• Energy: 884 kcal
• Total fat: 100g
• Monounsaturated fat (MUFA): ~46g (primarily oleic acid)
• Polyunsaturated fat (PUFA): ~32g (primarily linoleic acid)
• Saturated fat: ~17g
• Vitamin E: ~15mg
• Phytosterols: ~207mg
• Resveratrol: trace amounts

Fatty acid profile:

• Oleic acid (omega-9): ~46%
• Linoleic acid (omega-6): ~32%
• Palmitic acid (saturated): ~11%
• Stearic acid (saturated): ~3%
• Arachidic acid: ~1%
• Omega-3: trace (~0.003g per 100g)

Health Benefits

1. Cardiovascular Health

Cold pressed peanut oil's high MUFA content (46%) supports cardiovascular health by:

• Lowering LDL cholesterol
• Raising HDL cholesterol
• Reducing triglycerides

The phytosterol content (207mg per 100g) provides additional LDL-lowering benefit through gut absorption competition.

A 2005 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that replacing saturated fat with peanut oil reduced total cardiovascular risk by 21% compared to a high-saturated-fat diet.

2. Antioxidant Protection

Cold pressed peanut oil contains:

• Vitamin E (tocopherols): 15mg per 100g — one of the higher concentrations among cooking oils. Vitamin E protects LDL from oxidation and supports immune function.
• Resveratrol: The same antioxidant found in red wine. Peanut oil is one of the few cooking oils that contains resveratrol. Associated with cardiovascular protection and anti-aging effects.
• p-Coumaric acid: A polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Diabetes Management

The MUFA content of peanut oil improves insulin sensitivity. A 2007 study found that replacing refined carbohydrates with MUFA-rich foods (including peanut oil) improved glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients.

4. Skin and Hair Health

Cold pressed peanut oil's vitamin E content supports skin barrier function and reduces oxidative damage. It's lighter than mustard oil and absorbs well into skin and hair.

For hair: Apply warm cold pressed peanut oil to scalp and hair. Leave for 30 minutes before washing. The vitamin E and fatty acids strengthen hair and reduce breakage.

For skin: Cold pressed peanut oil has a comedogenic rating of 2 — low enough for most skin types. It absorbs quickly and provides good moisture without greasiness.

Culinary Uses

Traditional Applications

Gujarati cooking: Cold pressed peanut oil is the traditional fat for Gujarati cuisine. Dhokla, thepla, undhiyu, handvo, and most Gujarati snacks are made with peanut oil. The mild, nutty flavour complements Gujarati cuisine's sweet-sour-spicy balance.

Rajasthani cooking: Dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, and laal maas are traditionally made with peanut oil.

Maharashtrian cooking: Puran poli, varan bhaat, and many Maharashtrian snacks use peanut oil.

Modern Applications

Deep frying: Cold pressed peanut oil's smoke point of 232°C and neutral flavour make it excellent for deep frying. It produces less acrolein than sunflower oil at frying temperatures.

Stir-frying: The neutral flavour works well for Indo-Chinese and Continental stir-fries.

Salad dressings: The mild, nutty flavour adds depth to dressings without overpowering other ingredients.

Baking: Works well in cakes, muffins, and bread where a neutral oil is needed.

Marinades: Particularly good for chicken and paneer marinades where you want the spices to be the primary flavour.

Cold Pressed vs Refined Peanut Oil

Property	Cold Pressed	Refined
Colour	Golden to amber	Pale yellow to clear
Flavour	Mild, nutty	Neutral
Vitamin E	~15mg per 100g	~5mg per 100g
Resveratrol	Present	Absent
Phytosterols	~207mg per 100g	~150mg per 100g
Shelf life	6–12 months	18–24 months
Smoke point	232°C	232°C

The smoke point is similar for both — the refining process doesn't significantly change peanut oil's smoke point. The nutritional difference is primarily in vitamin E, resveratrol, and phytosterol content.

How to Buy Genuine Cold Pressed Peanut Oil

Check the label:

• Should say "cold pressed" or "expeller pressed" — not just "pure" or "natural"
• FSSAI license number (14 digits, verifiable at fssai.gov.in)
• Manufacturing date within the past 6 months
• No synthetic antioxidants (TBHQ, BHA, BHT) in the ingredient list

Check the colour: Genuine cold pressed peanut oil is golden to amber. Pale yellow or clear oil has been refined.

Check the smell: Cold pressed peanut oil has a mild, pleasant peanut aroma. Refined oil is odourless.

Check the price: Cold pressed peanut oil should cost 30–50% more than refined peanut oil. If the price is the same, it's likely refined.

Storage

Cold pressed peanut oil has a shelf life of 6–12 months. Store in a cool, dark place — away from heat and direct sunlight. Refrigeration extends shelf life but may cause the oil to become cloudy (this is normal and reversible at room temperature).

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Dune Aura cold pressed peanut oil is available from ₹250 for 500ml. Extracted at below 45°C to preserve the full vitamin E and resveratrol content. Delivery across Delhi NCR.

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Order in Gurugram and Delhi NCR

If you are looking for cold pressed mustard oil for your kitchen, Dune Aura offers local ordering options for readers in Gurugram and the wider Delhi NCR region. Explore cold pressed mustard oil in Gurugram and cold pressed mustard oil across Delhi NCR to compare availability and choose the right option for your household.