Oil cake is a by-product of Mustard Oil production and is widely used as cattle fodder, soil conditioner and also as a raw material in the solvent extraction of mustard oil. The mustard seed residue is cold pressed without any chemicals or additives. The all natural oil cake obtained has a minimum residual oil content of 7.50%. This makes it an effective meal for cattle which in turn promotes a higher output and fat content in milk yield.
Mustard oil cake also increases plant yields. In a study conducted in Bangladesh, replacing traditional cow dung amendments with mustard oil cake significantly increased produce yield and quality in a variety of vegetables. Plants treated with it yielded, on average, about 25 percent more viable produce than control groups.
Adherents to the principles of organic gardening know that nothing beats a soil-improving, inexpensive steal. Mustard oil cake, is such a substance, cheap and easy to break down and apply to the soil as a conditioner. In addition to reducing viruses and nematodes, mustard oil cake increases plant survival rate and yields.
Mustard oil has a strong sinus-irritating aroma, a hot nutty taste, and is the choicest cooking medium in most parts Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa, Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Maharashtra and other parts of India.
The oil makes up about 30% - 34% of the mustard seeds. It can be produced from black mustard (Brassica nigra), brown Indian mustard (Brassica juncea), and white mustard (Brassica hirta) though production from brown Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) is mostly undertaken as it yields higher pungency suited to the Indian palate.
Production of finest quality of mustard oil depends on procuring and processing of the finest mustard seeds. Seeds are sourced from selected suppliers in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and a randomly selected sample from each consignment undergoes laboratory testing to ensure compliance to quality. Following QC, the seeds are crushed in a modernized version of the ʻBengal Kholuʼ that produce the same quality of oil as the traditional ox-driven ʻKholuʼ. Conforming to the traditional process, a wooden baton (from the Tamarind tree) is inserted in the crushing bowl to lend a higher pungency to the extracted oil.
Since the oil extracted may contain impurities, the oil is meticulously cleaned by means of sedimentation and double filtration. The purified oil is then packaged under careful supervision in a controlled environment in clean and hygienic containers. Each package is sealed and cushion packed into cardboard boxes such that it reaches you in the same condition as it left us.
Mustard oil contains essential fatty acids, which help in balancing cholesterol levels.
Mustard oil is often used as a remedy for stomach and skin diseases.
Mustard oil, which has a pungent taste, contains about 60 per cent monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), 21 per cent polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) and about 12 per cent saturated fats. “High levels of MUFA and PUFA — also called good fats — maintain heart health and lower bad cholesterol, while improving good cholesterol.
Mustard oil is loaded with vitamin E, an essential nutrient for the skin. Therefore, when applied on the skin, it is said to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and acts as a sunscreen. Traditionally, in India, babies are often massaged with mustard oil.
using mustard oil for body massage improves blood circulation, skin texture and releases muscular tension. It also activates the sweat glands and hence helps in throwing out toxins from the body. As such, it acts as a natural cleanser.
Mustard oil has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Its external as well as internal usage is said to help in multiple ways to fight against infections, including digestive tract infections.
