How do cold-pressed oils differ from oils pressed with heat?

Cold-pressed oils, also known as virgin oils, are extracted from oil-bearing seeds and nuts without the use of preliminary heating. Because they are processed at lower temperatures, these oils contain the fewest impurities and often possess a superior flavor, making them suitable for consumption without further refining or processing.12

In contrast, oils pressed with the aid of heat are extracted from coarse meal that has been heated to increase the yield. While this method is more efficient at liberating oil, it also extracts greater quantities of nonglyceride impurities, such as phospholipids, color bodies, and unsaponifiable matter. Consequently, heat-pressed oils are typically more highly colored and have a stronger flavor than cold-pressed varieties, often necessitating additional refining and deodorization steps to improve their palatability.13