Some ingredients become popular because of trends. Others have quietly been part of our homes for generations.
Coconut oil belongs to the second kind.
From the aroma of a familiar curry to a mother oiling her child's hair on a weekend, coconut oil has always been more than just another oil in the kitchen. But today, how coconut oil is made matters just as much as how we use it.
That is where cold-pressed coconut oil stands apart. In this guide, we look at the 3 super qualities of cold pressed coconut oil - its natural flavour, its everyday versatility, and the honest process behind it and how to tell a well-made oil from an ordinary one.
What Is Cold Pressed Coconut Oil?
Cold pressed coconut oil is oil pressed from dried coconut (copra) by slow mechanical pressing, without chemical solvents and without the bleaching and deodorising steps used for refined oil.
In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, this is the oil many of us grew up with: chekku or marachekku coconut oil, pressed in a wooden mill. Because it is not stripped during processing, it keeps the natural aroma, colour, and character of coconut.
1. Naturally Flavourful for Everyday Cooking
There is something comforting about the aroma of coconut oil in a warm kadai. Even before the food reaches the plate, it can remind you of home.
Cold-pressed coconut oil keeps its characteristic coconut aroma and flavour because it goes through far less processing than refined oil. That aroma is not added. It simply stays.
It fits naturally into everyday Indian cooking:
- Kerala-style curries, avial and fish curry
- Poriyal, thoran and stir-fried vegetables
- Tempering (tadka) for sambar, rasam and chutneys
- Traditional snacks and sweets
- Sautéing and baking
For best results, use it for low to medium-heat cooking, the way South Indian kitchens always have.
At CHEKKO, we make our virgin wooden cold-pressed coconut oil from carefully selected sulphur-free copra and extract it using our traditional wooden cold-pressing process. Because when an oil becomes part of your family's everyday food, we believe care should begin long before it reaches your kitchen.
2. One Oil, More Than One Use
For many Indian families, coconut oil has never belonged only in the kitchen.
Think back to those weekend hair-oiling sessions. A small bowl of coconut oil, a gentle scalp massage, and someone telling you to leave it on a little longer before washing your hair. Simple routines like these have travelled through generations.
Cold pressed coconut oil for hair. Use it as a pre-wash oil to help condition your hair. Warm a small quantity between your palms, massage it into the scalp and through the lengths, and leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour before washing.
Cold pressed coconut oil for skin. A small quantity can be applied to dry areas such as the hands, elbows, knees and feet. Many families also use it for a gentle baby massage before bath time.
For traditional routines. Oil pulling — swishing a spoonful of coconut oil in the mouth for a few minutes before brushing — is a practice many homes still follow.
No complicated routine. Just one familiar oil finding different uses around the home. From cooking to everyday care, that versatility is one of the most loved qualities of cold pressed coconut oil.
3. The Way Your Coconut Oil Is Made Matters
Two packs can both say "coconut oil," but the journey inside them may be completely different.
So instead of only asking what oil is this?, it is worth asking: how was this oil made?
Here is how we make ours, step by step:
- Sulphur-free copra. We start with carefully selected copra dried without sulphur, so nothing unwanted enters the oil from the very first step (Non-GMO seeds).
- Traditional wooden cold pressing. The copra is pressed slowly in a wooden chekku, without chemical solvent extraction.
- Natural settling for 4–5 days. After pressing, the oil rests so sediments settle on their own, instead of rushing the process.
- In-house manufacturing and batch testing. Our oils are made in-house, so we can pay attention to quality and hygiene throughout. Every batch goes through our quality testing before packing.
- No plastic in production. CHEKKO oils are handled in food-grade stainless steel and packed into the food-grade tins we developed for CHEKKO.
Our facility follows FSSAI, Non-GMO, GMP, ISO 22000:2018 and HACCP standards. Because we believe every step matters - from the copra we select to the tin that reaches your kitchen.
How to Choose a Good Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
When you are standing in front of a shelf, these simple checks help:
- Read how it was made. Look for "cold pressed" or "wood pressed" and clear details on the process, not just the word "pure."
- Smell it. A well-made cold-pressed coconut oil carries a natural coconut aroma. A completely odourless oil has usually been refined.
- Watch it in the cold. Coconut oil naturally turns solid and white below about 24°C. This is normal, and it melts back when warmed.
- Check the packaging. Tin or glass protects oil from light better than clear plastic.
- Look for certifications. FSSAI licence details should always be on the label.
How to Store Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
Keep the tin closed and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and the stove. Always use a dry spoon - a drop of water can shorten the oil's life. If the oil solidifies in winter, place the tin in warm water for a few minutes.
A Traditional Choice for Today's Kitchen
Our kitchens have changed over the years. Mornings are faster, recipes have evolved, and we have more choices than ever before. But some things don't need to become complicated.
At CHEKKO, our journey with traditional oil making goes back more than 40 years. Through all those years, one belief has stayed the same: never take shortcuts with something a family uses every day.
That is why our virgin wooden cold pressed coconut oil is made from sulphur-free copra, traditionally wooden cold pressed, naturally settled, and thoughtfully packed in food-grade tins.
For your favourite family recipes. For those familiar hair-care rituals. For the little everyday moments that feel like home.
One oil. Three super qualities. Made the CHEKKO way.
Shop Chekko Virgin Wooden Cold Pressed Coconut Oil → (Use code FIRST12 for 12% off your first order.)
What are the 3 super qualities of cold pressed coconut oil?
Its natural coconut aroma and flavour for everyday cooking, its versatility across cooking, hair care and skin care, and its minimal, traditional process without chemical solvents, bleaching or deodorising.
What is the difference between cold pressed and refined coconut oil?
Cold pressed coconut oil is extracted by slow mechanical pressing and is not bleached or deodorised, so it keeps its natural aroma. Refined coconut oil goes through high-heat processing that makes it neutral in smell and taste.
Can I use cold pressed coconut oil for daily cooking?
Yes. It suits everyday South Indian cooking such as curries, poriyal, tempering and snacks. It works best for low to medium heat cooking. Like any oil, use it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Can I use the same cold pressed coconut oil for hair and cooking?
Yes. A food-grade cold-pressed coconut oil can be used in the kitchen and as a pre-wash hair oil or for dry skin.
Why does cold pressed coconut oil turn solid?
Chekko Coconut oil naturally solidifies below about 24°C. This is completely normal, not a defect. Warm the tin gently in water and it turns liquid again.
What is sulphur-free copra?
Copra is dried coconut kernel. Some copra is dried using sulphur to speed up drying and whiten it. Sulphur-free copra is dried without it, which is why CHEKKO uses only sulphur-free copra for its coconut oil.
