Best Sesame Oil India (2026): Top Picks and Buying Guide

Sesame oil goes by several names depending on where you're shopping: til oil, gingelly oil, nalla ennai in Tamil Nadu. If you're comparing the best sesame oil in India, the brand matters less than two things: how it was pressed, and what you plan to use it for, since sesame oil behaves differently as a tempering oil than it does as a finishing drizzle.

Quick Answer

Nothing To Hide's cold-pressed sesame oil is a strong pick for tempering, pickling, and finishing dishes where sesame's nutty flavour and antioxidant content matter. Idhayam, Anjali, Tata Simply Better, and Anveshan are other widely used names, each suited to different priorities: everyday South Indian cooking, traditional cold-pressing, or wider retail availability.

Quick Comparison: Sesame Oil Options in India

This table compares extraction method and typical use case, not health outcomes. All the oils listed are sesame oil; the meaningful differences are how they're pressed and what quantity a dish typically calls for.

1. Nothing To Hide — Cold-Pressed Sesame Oil

Nothing To Hide makes cold-pressed sesame oil, manufactured by Gem Edible Oils Pvt Ltd in Coimbatore, a region with deep roots in traditional oil pressing. What sets it apart isn't the sesame oil itself, since sesame oil's core composition is similar across cold-pressed brands, it's the dispensing format.

Sesame oil is typically used in small, precise quantities: a teaspoon for tempering, a light drizzle for finishing a dal or chutney. That makes it one of the oils where a standard pour bottle's lack of quantity feedback matters most, a slightly heavier tilt can release far more than the recipe calls for. Nothing To Hide's smart measuring bottle shows the quantity before it leaves the bottle, useful for keeping a tempering step or a finishing drizzle consistent from one cooking session to the next.

Nothing To Hide's cold-pressed range also includes mustard, groundnut, coconut, and sunflower oil, so a household cooking across regional traditions isn't limited to sesame oil alone.

2. Idhayam Sesame Oil

Idhayam is one of the most established names in South Indian sesame oil, particularly associated with everyday household cooking across Tamil Nadu. It's widely available and commonly used both for tempering and as a general-purpose cooking oil in South Indian kitchens.

3. Anjali Sesame Oil

Anjali markets its virgin gingelly oil around traditional South Indian taste and aroma, positioned for households that specifically want the strong, nutty character associated with cold-pressed sesame oil.

4. Tata Simply Better Sesame Oil

Tata's sesame oil line is positioned for modern retail availability, offering a cold-pressed option with the wider distribution network that comes with a large FMCG brand.

5. Anveshan Sesame Oil

Anveshan markets its sesame oil under the same traditional, cold-pressed sourcing story it applies across its oil range, appealing to buyers who prioritise a heritage extraction narrative.

6. Mr. Gold Sesame Oil

Mr. Gold has strong regional presence in South India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where sesame oil is a kitchen staple for both cooking and traditional uses.

None of these brands is universally "better" than another. The right pick depends on whether you're optimising for cold-pressing, regional sourcing, price point, or how precisely you can dispense small quantities, which matters more for sesame oil than for oils typically used in larger amounts.

What Makes Sesame (Gingelly) Oil Different

Sesame oil is extracted from sesame seeds, known as til in Hindi and ellu in Tamil, and comes in a few distinct forms:

1. Cold-pressed gingelly oil, extracted from raw seeds without heat above roughly 49°C, giving a light golden colour and a mild-to-moderate nutty aroma.

2. Toasted sesame oil, extracted from roasted seeds, common in East Asian cooking, with a darker colour and stronger, more concentrated aroma. This isn't the typical form used in Indian cooking.

3. Refined sesame oil, processed further for a more neutral flavour and typically a longer shelf life.

Most South Indian cooking uses the cold-pressed, unroasted form, valued for its lighter aroma and suitability for tempering and finishing rather than the more intense toasted variety used in East Asian dishes.

Sesame Oil Nutrition: What the Research Shows

Sesame oil's fatty acid profile is roughly 40% oleic acid (MUFA) and 44% linoleic acid (PUFA), with saturated fat typically under 20% of the total fat content. Beyond its fatty acid composition, sesame oil is distinguished by a set of plant compounds not found in most other cooking oils:

• Sesamin and sesamolin, lignans studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Sesamol, another lignan-derived antioxidant, researched for its role in reducing oxidative stress.

• Tocopherols (Vitamin E), which contribute to the oil's natural oxidative stability, meaning it resists rancidity somewhat better than oils lacking these compounds.

Much of this research is still developing, particularly around specific health outcomes in humans, so it's fair to describe sesame oil as antioxidant-rich rather than to claim it treats or prevents any specific condition.

A note on allergies: sesame is recognised as a major food allergen in several countries, including the US. Anyone with a diagnosed sesame allergy should avoid sesame oil, cold-pressed or otherwise, since even cold-pressed extraction retains allergenic protein.

Smoke Point and Cooking Uses

Nothing To Hide's cold-pressed sesame oil has a smoke point of approximately 177°C, similar to unrefined coconut oil and moderate compared to refined oils. This makes it best suited to:

For sustained high-heat deep frying, a higher-smoke-point oil like mustard or refined groundnut oil generally offers more headroom.

How Much Sesame Oil Should You Use?

Because sesame oil is typically used in small quantities, tracking total intake against a broader daily target matters more here than the specific oil choice. ICMR-NIN's guidance sets visible fat (all cooking oil combined) at roughly 20 to 50 grams per person per day, depending on gender and activity level.

A measuring bottle is particularly useful for sesame oil specifically, since recipes typically call for a teaspoon or two rather than a heavier pour, and a standard bottle makes it easy to use more than intended without noticing. Nothing To Hide's oil calorie calculator can help translate a measured quantity into an approximate calorie count.

Reading a Sesame Oil Label Before You Buy

1. Check whether it's cold-pressed or refined. These are meaningfully different products with different flavour intensities and price points.

2. Look for FSSAI compliance markers, which apply to edible oils sold in India regardless of brand.

3. Check the colour. Cold-pressed, unroasted gingelly oil is typically light golden; a much darker oil may indicate toasting or a different extraction process.

4. Notice the bottle, not just the oil. Since sesame oil is usually used in small quantities, a measuring format helps keep tempering and finishing amounts consistent.

5. Avoid vague marketing terms like "pure" or "natural," which don't carry a fixed regulatory definition on Indian edible oil labels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best sesame oil brand in India?

There's no single universal best. Nothing To Hide, Idhayam, Anjali, Tata Simply Better, Anveshan, and Mr. Gold are all established options; the right one depends on whether you prioritise cold-pressing, regional sourcing, price, or precise small-quantity dispensing.

What is the difference between sesame oil and gingelly oil?

They're the same oil. "Gingelly oil" is the common South Indian name for sesame oil, particularly the cold-pressed, unroasted form used in Indian cooking, as distinct from the darker, toasted sesame oil common in East Asian cuisine.

Is cold-pressed sesame oil better than refined?

Cold-pressed sesame oil retains more of its natural antioxidant compounds (sesamin, sesamol) and a stronger nutty flavour. Refined sesame oil is milder and typically has a longer shelf life. Neither is inherently unsafe; the choice depends on flavour preference and intended use.

What is the smoke point of sesame oil?

Nothing To Hide's cold-pressed sesame oil has a smoke point of approximately 177°C, suitable for tempering and light sautéing but with less headroom than mustard oil for sustained high-heat deep frying.

Is sesame oil good for tempering (tadka)?

Yes. Sesame oil's nutty flavour and moderate smoke point make it a traditional choice for tempering in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh cooking, particularly for dal and rice dishes.

Can people with sesame allergies use sesame oil?

No. Sesame is a recognised major allergen, and even cold-pressed sesame oil retains allergenic protein. Anyone with a diagnosed sesame allergy should avoid it, and consult an allergist about any oil substitution.

What are sesamin and sesamol?

They're natural antioxidant compounds (lignans) found in sesame oil, studied for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Research is still developing, particularly around specific health outcomes in humans, so they're best understood as beneficial plant compounds rather than a treatment for any condition.

Where can I buy Nothing To Hide's sesame oil?

It's available on the Nothing To Hide website, along with the brand's other cold-pressed oils and the smart measuring bottle for precise small quantities.