Indian Diaspora Cold Pressed Oil Buying Guide: Getting the Real Thing Abroad

Why the Mustard Oil Abroad Tastes Different

The mustard oil sold in most Indian grocery stores outside India falls into one of three categories:

1. Refined mustard oil This is the most common. It has been heat-processed at 200–240°C, stripped of its natural pungency (allyl isothiocyanate / AITC), and deodorised. It looks like mustard oil and is labelled as mustard oil, but it has lost the compounds that give kachi ghani its distinctive character.

2. Low-erucic mustard oil (canola-style) In some Western markets, "mustard oil" is actually made from Brassica napus (rapeseed / canola) rather than Indian Brassica juncea. These oils have less than 2% erucic acid versus 30–45% in Indian mustard oil. They taste completely different and have a different nutritional profile.

3. Genuine cold pressed Indian mustard oil (rare) This is what you are looking for. It is available, but you need to know where to find it and how to identify it.

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What Genuine Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil Looks and Tastes Like

If you have not had genuine kachi ghani mustard oil recently, here is what to expect:

Colour: Deep golden-yellow, sometimes with an amber tint. Not pale or clear.

Aroma: Strong, pungent, almost sharp. The pungency comes from allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) — the same compound that makes wasabi and horseradish pungent. If the oil smells mild or neutral, it is not genuine cold pressed.

Taste: Pungent, slightly bitter, with a warming sensation. When used in cooking, the pungency mellows significantly with heat.

Texture: Slightly viscous. May have natural sediment at the bottom of the bottle — this is a positive sign.

Behaviour in cold: Genuine mustard oil may become slightly cloudy or partially solidify in cold weather (below 10°C). This is normal.

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The Regulatory Situation by Country

United Kingdom

Mustard oil for human consumption is technically restricted in the UK under EU-derived regulations that limit erucic acid to 5% in edible oils. Indian mustard oil (Brassica juncea) contains 30–45% erucic acid.

In practice, Indian mustard oil is widely sold in Indian grocery stores in the UK, often labelled "for external use only" or "for cosmetic use only" — a regulatory workaround. The oil inside the bottle is identical to cooking-grade mustard oil. This labelling is a legal formality, not a safety warning.

Where to find it in the UK:

• Indian grocery stores in Southall, Wembley, Leicester, Birmingham
• Online: Amazon UK (search "kachi ghani mustard oil"), specialist Indian food retailers
• Look for brands that specify "Brassica juncea" or "Indian mustard" on the label

United States

The FDA has not approved mustard oil for use as a cooking oil due to its erucic acid content. Like the UK, it is sold in Indian grocery stores labelled "for external use only."

Where to find it in the US:

• Indian grocery stores in New Jersey, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco Bay Area, Atlanta
• Online: Amazon US, iShopIndian, Patel Brothers online
• Whole Foods and natural food stores sometimes carry cold pressed mustard oil from small Indian brands

Canada

Similar regulatory situation to the US. Mustard oil is sold in Indian grocery stores across Canada.

Where to find it in Canada:

• Indian grocery stores in Brampton, Mississauga, Surrey BC, Calgary
• Online: Amazon Canada, Indian grocery delivery services

Australia

Australia has no specific restriction on erucic acid content equivalent to the EU/UK standard. Indian mustard oil can be sold as a cooking oil.

Where to find it in Australia:

• Indian grocery stores in Melbourne (Dandenong), Sydney (Parramatta, Harris Park), Brisbane
• Online: Indian grocery delivery services

UAE and Gulf Countries

The UAE and Gulf countries have large Indian diaspora populations and well-stocked Indian grocery stores. Mustard oil is widely available as a cooking oil with no labelling restrictions.

Where to find it:

• Lulu Hypermarket, Carrefour (Indian section)
• Indian grocery stores in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah
• Online: Noon, Amazon UAE

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How to Identify Genuine Cold Pressed Oil When Shopping Abroad

Read the Label Carefully

Look for:

• "Kachi ghani" or "cold pressed" on the label
• "Brassica juncea" (Indian mustard) in the ingredients
• FSSAI license number (indicates Indian manufacture)
• Extraction temperature below 45°C (if stated)
• Country of origin: India

Be cautious of:

• "Mustard oil" with no mention of cold pressed or kachi ghani
• Very pale colour in the bottle
• No pungent aroma when opened
• "Low erucic acid" — this is canola-style oil, not Indian mustard oil
• Very cheap prices (genuine cold pressed oil cannot be produced cheaply)

The Smell Test

Open the bottle and smell it. Genuine kachi ghani mustard oil has a strong, pungent, almost sharp aroma. If it smells mild or neutral, it is refined or not genuine cold pressed.

The Colour Test

Hold the bottle up to light. Genuine cold pressed mustard oil is deep golden-yellow. Refined mustard oil is paler. Very pale or clear "mustard oil" is almost certainly refined or a different oil entirely.

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Oils to Look For by Type

Mustard Oil (Sarson Ka Tel)

The hardest to find genuinely cold pressed outside India. Look for:

• Brands that specifically state "kachi ghani" on the label
• FSSAI-licensed Indian manufacturers
• Strong pungent aroma

Sesame Oil (Til Ka Tel / Gingelly Oil)

Easier to find cold pressed outside India. Japanese and Korean grocery stores often carry cold pressed sesame oil (toasted sesame oil is different — it is made from roasted seeds). For Indian-style cooking, look for:

• "Gingelly oil" (South Indian term) — often cold pressed
• "Cold pressed sesame oil" from Indian brands
• Avoid "toasted sesame oil" for cooking — it has a different flavour profile

Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is widely available in health food stores globally. This is cold pressed coconut oil. Look for:

• "Virgin coconut oil" or "cold pressed coconut oil"
• Distinct coconut aroma
• White and solid at room temperature (below 24°C)
• Avoid "refined coconut oil" — it is odourless and has lost the MCT-rich profile

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Bringing Oil from India: Practical Guide

Many diaspora Indians bring cooking oil from India when visiting. Here is what you need to know:

UK

• Liquids over 100ml cannot be carried in hand luggage
• In checked luggage: seal bottles in zip-lock bags, wrap in clothing
• No quantity restriction for personal use in checked luggage
• Customs: personal quantities (2–4 litres) are generally not questioned

US

• Cooking oil is permitted in checked luggage
• Declare it on the customs form if over $800 total goods value (unlikely for oil)
• No specific quantity restriction for personal use

Canada

• Cooking oil is permitted in checked luggage
• Declare food items on the CBSA declaration card

Australia

• Australia has strict biosecurity rules
• Commercially packaged, sealed cooking oil is generally permitted
• Declare it on the incoming passenger card
• Homemade or bulk oil may be confiscated

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The Taste of Home: Why It Matters

For many Indians abroad, the taste of genuine mustard oil is tied to specific food memories — sarson da saag made with real kachi ghani oil, fish curry from Bengal, the smell of a tadka that fills the kitchen.

Refined mustard oil produces a different result in these dishes. The pungency that mellows into a warm, complex flavour when heated is simply absent. The dish is technically correct but something is missing.

This is not nostalgia. It is chemistry. The AITC in genuine kachi ghani mustard oil undergoes a specific transformation when heated — the sharp pungency converts to a warm, rounded flavour that is the foundation of North and East Indian cooking. Refined oil, stripped of AITC, cannot replicate this.

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Ordering from India: What to Know

Several Indian cold press oil brands now ship internationally, including to the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. Dune Aura is currently working on international shipping capability.

For current availability and international shipping enquiries: duneaura.com

When ordering from India:

• Shipping costs are significant for liquids (weight + fragile packaging)
• Delivery times: 7–14 days to UK/US/Canada, 5–10 days to UAE
• Customs duties may apply depending on the destination country
• Order in larger quantities (5L) to make shipping costs worthwhile

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Substitutes When You Cannot Find the Real Thing

If genuine kachi ghani mustard oil is unavailable:

For cooking: Use the most pungent mustard oil you can find. Even refined mustard oil is closer to the original than switching to a different oil entirely.

For pickling (achar): Mustard oil is essential for traditional Indian pickles. The antimicrobial properties of AITC are part of why pickles keep. If you cannot find cold pressed, use the most pungent refined mustard oil available.

For hair and skin: Cold pressed sesame oil or coconut oil are good substitutes for the external use applications of mustard oil.

For Ayurvedic use: Cold pressed sesame oil (tila taila) is the primary Ayurvedic massage oil and a good substitute when mustard oil is unavailable.

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Dune Aura Industries Private Limited produces kachi ghani cold pressed mustard, sesame, coconut, and soya oils at our Sector 9A, Gurgaon facility. We are working on international shipping for the diaspora market. duneaura.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cold pressed oils are most important for an Indian diaspora kitchen abroad?

The three most essential cold pressed oils for an Indian diaspora kitchen are: cold press mustard oil (for North Indian cooking, pickles, and marinades), cold press sesame oil (for South Indian dishes and finishing), and cold press coconut oil (for Kerala cuisine and baking). These three cover the vast majority of Indian cooking needs.

How do I find genuine cold pressed oils in Indian grocery stores abroad?

Look for FSSAI certification on the label (Indian regulatory approval), check for a production date (not just best-before), smell the oil through the cap if possible (genuine cold press mustard oil has a strong pungent aroma), and choose glass bottles over plastic. Brands that are well-known in India are generally more reliable than unknown brands.

Can I order cold pressed oils directly from India for delivery abroad?

Some Indian cold press oil producers are beginning to offer international shipping. Dune Aura is exploring international delivery options for the Indian diaspora. Check the producer's website for current shipping availability. When ordering internationally, factor in shipping time and ensure the oil will arrive fresh (within 6 months of production).

Are cold pressed oils available in mainstream supermarkets abroad?

Cold press sesame oil and coconut oil are increasingly available in mainstream supermarkets in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia in the health food section. Cold press mustard oil is harder to find outside Indian grocery stores. Online retailers like Amazon in these countries stock some cold press Indian oils, though quality verification is important.

How should I store cold pressed oils to maximise freshness when living abroad?

Store cold pressed oils in a cool, dark cupboard away from the stove. In countries with central heating (which keeps homes warm year-round), consider refrigerating cold press oils to extend shelf life. Cold press coconut oil solidifies in the refrigerator but this does not affect quality. Buy in smaller quantities more frequently rather than large quantities that sit for months.

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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.