The Journal
Honest notes on oils, milling and plastic-free living
Plain-spoken, well-researched guides, what wood-pressing actually is, how to pick a cooking oil that suits your kitchen, how to store oil so it lasts, and where natural-fibre bags genuinely help. No hype, just what we have learned.
Guides & explainers
Read before you cook, store or shop
We would rather you understood the trade-offs than took our word for it. Each piece sticks to what is true and useful, including the bits other people skip, like lower smoke points and allergen notes.
Stone-milled flour: why freshness & the whole grain matter
How a stone mill differs from roller milling, why fresh whole-grain flour smells and tastes different, how to store it, and the basics of idli–dosa batter.
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Punnakku (oil-cake): the by-product that feeds the farm
What oil-cake is, how coconut, sesame and groundnut cake differ, the aflatoxin dry-storage rule, and how it feeds animals and the soil with little waste.
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What is marachekku (wood-pressed) oil?
Marachekku means "wooden press", one of India's oldest ways of pressing oil. Here is how the chekku works and what it does to the oil.
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Wood-pressed vs refined oil: the real difference
Wood-pressed oil is unrefined and keeps its colour, aroma and flavour; refined oil is processed for a higher smoke point. We weigh up both honestly.
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How to choose a cooking oil for your kitchen
Match the oil to the job, tempering, sautéing and medium-heat cooking versus sustained high-heat frying, using flavour, smoke point and everyday use.
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Cold-pressed vs virgin coconut oil
Two terms, often confused. We explain what each describes, and why our coconut oil solidifies below about 24°C, which is normal and not spoilage.
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Cooking with groundnut oil: a practical guide
Where unrefined groundnut oil shines in everyday cooking, with a clear allergen note: it retains peanut proteins and is not safe for those with a peanut allergy.
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Natural-fibre bags vs plastic: what actually helps
The honest case for reusable natural-fibre bags: cutting single-use plastic litter and microplastics, in step with India's plastic rules, without the greenwashing.
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How to store cold-pressed oils so they don't go rancid
Unrefined oils oxidise faster than refined ones. Keep them away from light, heat and air, here is a simple routine that keeps every bottle fresher for longer.
Read the guideTry it in your kitchen
Read up, then taste the difference
Once you have the background, our wood-pressed oils are the easiest way to put it into practice. Have a question first? We are glad to help you choose.