Short answer: niger seed oil is pressed from the tiny black seeds of the niger plant, called huchellu in Kannada and ramtil or karale in Marathi and Hindi. It was once a common village cooking oil in parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha and central India, and few people know it today. We press it in our wooden chekku below 35°C, unfiltered and with no preservatives.
A village oil worth remembering
Niger is a hardy crop that grows well on dry, hilly land, which is why tribal and rural communities in the Western Ghats, the Deccan and central India grew it. The seeds were pressed at the village chekku and the oil used for daily cooking. As refined oils took over, niger seed oil almost disappeared from city kitchens.
What it looks and tastes like
Niger seed oil is pale to golden yellow, with a mild, slightly nutty taste. It is gentle enough for everyday cooking, and older family members who grew up with it often recognise the taste immediately.
How we press it
- The tiny black niger seeds are cleaned carefully.
- They are crushed slowly in the wooden chekku.
- Oil separates from the cake, staying below 35°C.
- The oil settles and is bottled unfiltered.
How to cook with it
- Everyday cooking: palya, sabzi and dal tadka.
- Chutney powders: huchellu chutney pudi, a North Karnataka favourite made from roasted niger seeds, goes well with a little niger seed oil and jolada rotti.
- Rotation: use it alongside groundnut or sesame oil for variety.
How to store it
Keep it closed, in a cool, dark place, and use a dry spoon.
Frequently asked questions
Is niger seed the same as nigella (kalonji)?
No. Niger seed (huchellu, ramtil) and nigella (kalonji) are different plants. Our oil is pressed from niger seed.
Is it the same as the bird-feed niger seed?
It is the same plant, but we press food-grade seeds that are cleaned for cooking.
Who should try it?
Anyone curious about traditional oils, and families from Karnataka and Maharashtra who remember it from childhood.
Try our wood-pressed niger seed oil, pressed in Chandapura, Bangalore. Free delivery in Bangalore on orders of 5 litres and above; other states free on ₹3,500 and above.