Traditional
Chekku Nallennai
செக்கு நல்லெண்ணெய் · Cold Pressed Gingelly (Sesame) Oil
Traditional cold-pressed sesame oil – deep amber colour and rich aroma. For cooking, pickles, oil bath and pooja.
₹105₹1159% OFF
Pack size
SKU: CHEKKU-200ML · Ships from Madurai in 1–2 working days · Free shipping above ₹1,999
Cold pressed
Zero chemicals
FSSAI licensed
Pan-India delivery
Nallennai literally means “the good oil” in Tamil, and for generations it has been the oil of choice in South Indian kitchens. Our Chekku Nallennai is cold pressed from premium black and white sesame seeds in a wooden chekku, keeping every drop of its natural sesamol, sesamin and vitamin E.
Use it for everyday cooking, to season pickles, for the weekly oil bath (ennai kuliyal), for oil pulling, or to light the lamp. It is unrefined, unbleached and completely free of chemicals and preservatives.
- Naturally rich in antioxidants (sesamol, sesamin)
- Good source of vitamin E, calcium and zinc
- Traditionally used for oil bath, oil pulling and massage
- Adds authentic flavour to pickles, podi and kuzhambu
- No chemicals, paraffin wax, argemone oil or preservatives
- Cooking, tempering and drizzling on idli podi
- Preserving pickles (oorugai)
- Weekly oil bath and hair care
- Oil pulling and skin massage
- Lighting lamps during pooja
Questions about this product
What does “cold pressed” or “chekku” oil mean?
Chekku oil is pressed in a traditional wooden press (chekku / ghani) that rotates slowly. The temperature stays well below 50°C, so the oil keeps its natural aroma, colour, vitamin E and antioxidants. Refined oils are extracted with heat and solvents, then bleached and deodorised.
Wood press vs iron press – what is the difference?
A wood press (marachekku) crushes the seeds with a wooden pestle that turns slowly, so the oil stays cool – below about 45–50°C – and keeps its natural aroma, colour, vitamin E and antioxidants. An iron press (rotary or expeller) uses a metal drum or screw that runs much faster; the friction heats the seeds and the oil. It gives a higher yield, but the heat dulls the aroma and can reduce heat-sensitive nutrients. All our oils are pressed slowly in the chekku, never in a high-speed steel expeller.
Why is your oil darker / cloudier than supermarket oil?
Because it is unrefined. Natural colour, aroma and a little sediment at the bottom are signs of pure cold pressed oil. Refined oils are bleached and filtered to look clear. Let the bottle stand and use the oil from the top, or shake it – both are fine.
Do you add anything to the oil?
No. Our oils contain only the seed or nut they are pressed from. In Karuppatti Chekku Nallennai a small amount of Palm Jaggery is added during pressing, in the traditional way. There are zero chemicals, paraffin wax, argemone oil or preservatives. Our FSSAI licence number is printed on every label.
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