The Guide to Sesame Oil Benefits and How to Use It in Your Daily Life

Sesame oil is quite a popular ingredient in Indian and Asian cooking, and has been in use for thousands of years. And you know what, using this oil, especially cold pressed sesame oil in your everyday life is easier than you think. 

Cold pressed sesame oil is actually an incredibly healthy, versatile oil. Through this blog, Gramiyaa wishes to throw light on the many uses of cold pressed sesame oil and give some easy ideas on how to incorporate this beneficial oil into your everyday routine.

What is sesame oil

That’s not a tough one – oil that comes from sesame seeds is called sesame oil. It is available in several varieties, such as 

• Cold-pressed sesame oil, which is made by pressing raw sesame seeds without using heat and chemicals, thereby keeping its nutrients intact.

• Refined sesame oil, which is the oil made by processing with chemicals to remove impurities. 

Out of the two, the cold pressed variant is believed to be the healthier choice, as it has more quantities of good fats, is chemical free and has an amazing nutty flavour. 

Cold-pressed sesame oil benefits

Cold-pressed sesame oil contains more nutrients and antioxidants compared to its refined counterpart. It's the best sesame oil for those looking to reap maximum health benefits. Not just the health benefits, this oil is superior in taste and aroma as well.

1. Rich in antioxidants: The two heroes in sesame oil - sesamol and sesaminol, are powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage. This not only keeps your body younger, but also healthier.
2. Heart health: Sesame oil is pretty high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. This means, it can help reduce bad cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of heart diseases.
3. Anti-Inflammatory properties: This oil is rich in anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce swelling and pain.
4. Skin and hair health: Not just your internal health, sesame oil is excellent for your beauty too – from moisturizing skin and hair, to promoting a healthy glow.
5. Bone health: Rich in calcium, zinc, and copper, sesame oil is great for bone density and strength.

Cold-pressed sesame oil is particularly beneficial because it retains more of the natural vitamins and minerals found in sesame seeds. It is less processed and, therefore, healthier for cooking and personal care.

How to use sesame oil in cooking

Cold-pressed sesame oil in daily cooking can be very beneficial. It has a rich, nutty flavour that can elevate the taste of many dishes. From South Indian tamarind based gravies, to continental salads and stir fries, here are some ways to use Gramiyaa’s sesame cooking oil:

1. Stir-fry vegetables, tofu, paneer and even meat by using a little amount of sesame oil.
2. Prepare a delicious salad dressing, by mixing with vinegar, soy sauce, and a bit of honey.
3. Use it while preparing tamarind based gavies such as pulikuzhambu, karakuzhambu, sambar, etc.
4. Drizzle it over your idli podi, kara chutney, or thokku, and get an amazingly authentic flavour.
5. Drizzle toasted sesame oil over your soups, stir-fries, or salads for an extra burst of flavour.

Although cold-pressed sesame oil tastes great just as it is, it is also perfect for low-heat cooking and as a finishing oil as well. It’s subtle yet powerful flavour makes it ideal for dressings, dips, and drizzling over dishes just before serving.

Using sesame oil for skin and hair

Not just for cooking, you can also include cold pressed sesame oil in your beauty regime. Here’s what you can do -

• Sesame oil is a natural moisturizer that hydrates and softens the skin. Just take a few drops and apply on your skin.
• It is rich in antioxidants, which means it helps reduce the age-related signs and make your skin look younger.
• The anti-inflammatory properties of sesame oil can soothe skin irritations and even help in healing sunburn.
• Sesame oil nourishes the scalp, reduces hair fall and promotes hair growth.
• It gives a healthy shine to hair, making it stronger from within.

Cold pressed sesame oil – benefits beyond health!

With the increasing trend of eco-consciousness, people have started leaning towards mindful consumption. That is another reason why people want to go for cold pressed oils – they are free from unnecessary chemicals, mostly sourced ethically, and promote local businesses. Here are some ways to ascertain that a cold pressed oil is sustainably produced - 

• Organic certification: For the best results, go for the oils that have been certified organic because this means that they have no chemical additives.
• Fair trade: Make sure that the brand that you are choosing follows fair trade practices, and the raw materials are sourced ethically.
• Minimal Processing: Most cold-pressed oils are naturally prepared, which means there are fewer compromises to the environment.

Get the best sesame oil at Gramiyaa 

Sesame oil, in particular cold pressed sesame oil, is quite beneficial for us. When deciding on the type of sesame oil to purchase, focus on buying unrefined oils for the best quality of the product. At Gramiyaa, the cold pressed oils, from cold pressed coconut oil, groundnut oil, mustard oils to sesame oil, are made using traditional wood pressing without using any chemicals and heat. This means these oils are not just healthy, but are tasty as well.

Now that you know how good sesame oil can be for your health, do not hesitate to incorporate this wonderful oil into your culinary regimes for a better and longer and healthier life.