Wood Pressed Oils: Benefits, Uses & Where to Buy in Pune (2026)

Quick answer: Wood-pressed oil is oil extracted by crushing seeds slowly in a traditional wooden press, called a Lakdi Ghana or ghani, at low temperature and without any chemicals or refining. It is a traditional form of cold pressing that keeps the seed’s natural aroma and nutrients. In Pune, Arkka Oils makes wood-pressed and cold-pressed oils fresh and delivers across the city.

Wood-pressed oil (Lakdi Ghana) is having a real moment in Pune kitchens. But what actually is it, how is it different from ordinary cold-pressed oil, and how do you buy the genuine thing? Here is a clear, honest guide.

Key takeaways

  • Wood pressed = a traditional wooden ghani crushing seeds slowly at low heat.
  • It is a type of cold pressing — all wood pressed oil is cold pressed, but not all cold pressed oil is wood pressed.
  • No solvents, no refining, no added preservatives — so it keeps natural aroma and colour.
  • Buy fresh and in small packs; it does not last as long as refined oil.
  • Arkka presses locally in Pune (Bavdhan) and delivers fresh.

What is wood-pressed oil?

Wood-pressed oil is made using a Lakdi Ghana — a wooden press (ghani) traditionally used across India for centuries. Seeds are fed into a wooden mortar and a wooden pestle rotates slowly, crushing them and squeezing out the oil. Because the process is slow and the temperature stays low, the oil is never overheated. It is then settled and filtered, nothing more.

The words you will see — wood pressed, Lakdi Ghana, Lakdi Ghani, wooden churner oil — all point to the same traditional method. We explain the term fully in our Lakdi Ghana oil guide.

Wood pressed vs cold pressed: are they different?

This is the most common confusion, so here it is plainly: cold pressing is the broad category (any low-heat, no-solvent pressing). Wood pressing is one traditional way of doing it, using a wooden ghani instead of a modern steel expeller. So wood-pressed oil is cold-pressed oil made the old-fashioned way.

Cold pressed (modern expeller) Wood pressed (Lakdi Ghana)
Press Steel expeller press Traditional wooden ghani
Heat Low Low (slow rotation)
Chemicals / refining None None
Aroma Natural Fullest traditional aroma
Speed & yield Faster, higher yield Slower, lower yield

For a deeper side-by-side, read Wood Pressed vs Cold Pressed Oil: The Real Difference.

Why people choose wood-pressed oil

Wood-pressed oil keeps the natural taste, colour and aroma of the seed, along with naturally occurring vitamin E and antioxidants that refining removes. Many families simply prefer the traditional method and the fuller flavour it gives to everyday food. It suits people who want their cooking oil as close to its natural state as possible.

Be aware of the honest trade-offs: the slower method means lower yield, so wood-pressed oil usually costs more, and without preservatives it has a shorter shelf life. That makes freshness essential.

Which oils come wood/cold pressed?

The most popular in Pune are groundnut and sunflower for everyday cooking, sesame and mustard for traditional dishes, and coconut for both cooking and self-care.

Oil Character Shop
Groundnut Nutty, all-purpose, great for frying Groundnut oil
Sunflower Light and mild for daily use Sunflower oil
Sesame (til) Rich and toasty for tadka & finishing Sesame oil
Mustard Sharp and pungent, traditional Mustard oil
Coconut Cooking plus skin & hair care Coconut oil

How to buy real wood-pressed oil in Pune

Ask when it was pressed, buy a pack size you will finish in a few weeks, check that it smells like the seed, and store it cool and away from light. Because Arkka presses to order in Bavdhan, Pune, you get oil that reaches your kitchen fresh — from source to main course in about 8 days — rather than oil that has sat in storage. Orders are delivered across Pune and shipped nationwide. Full local buying help is in our where to buy in Pune guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is wood pressed oil?
Wood pressed oil is oil crushed slowly from seeds in a traditional wooden press (Lakdi Ghana or ghani) at low temperature, with no chemicals or refining. It is a traditional form of cold pressing.
Is wood pressed oil the same as cold pressed oil?
Wood pressing is a type of cold pressing done with a wooden ghani instead of a modern steel press. So all wood pressed oil is cold pressed, but not all cold pressed oil is wood pressed. See our full comparison.
Is wood pressed oil better than cold pressed oil?
Both avoid chemicals and refining. Wood pressed uses the traditional slow wooden method and gives the fullest aroma; modern cold pressing is faster with higher yield. Neither is chemically refined, so the choice is mostly about tradition, flavour and price.
Why is wood pressed oil more expensive?
The wooden ghani works slowly and gives a lower yield than fast refined-oil processes, and there are no cheap solvents or fillers involved, so genuine wood pressed oil costs more per litre.
Where can I buy wood pressed oil in Pune?
Arkka Oils presses wood pressed and cold pressed oils in Bavdhan, Pune and delivers fresh across the city and across India. Browse the shop.

Keep reading

Traditional wood-pressed oil, pressed fresh in Pune

Lakdi Ghana quality without the wait — cold & wood pressed and delivered across Pune.

Shop wood pressed oilsContact Arkka Oils

This article is general information about cooking oils for Indian households and is not medical or nutritional advice. Product names, pack sizes and prices can change — please check the current Arkka Oils shop before ordering. Individual dietary needs vary; consult a qualified professional for personal advice.

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