Refined versus virgin oils: a comprehensive examination of distinctions and selection guidelines
Laura Schneider
2026-03-21
4 min. read
54
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The contemporary food marketplace presents an extraordinarily diverse selection of edible oils, the production of which continues to expand rapidly while utilizing increasingly specialized raw materials. Among the newer products appearing on store shelves, two categories stand out in particular: cold-pressed oils that retain their natural composition, and oils subjected to advanced technological processing methods. What precise characteristics distinguish these two product groups from one another? And which option might prove more advantageous from health, culinary, and economic perspectives for the average consumer?
Unrefined oil
It is obtained by mechanical processes (compression, purification, sedimentation, filtration or welding) with the exception of high temperatures hence its other name cold pressed oil. The exception is virgin oils, in which a slightly higher temperature is allowed to be used to increase the fat extraction efficiency. This is the oldest and most natural method of oil extraction, which is also higher in price compared to heat pressed oils. It is due to the low efficiency of the process, which consists of non-oil-resistant oils and can lead to the production of a different product.
Refined oil
Refining is a very complicated process, which involves the use of high temperatures and chemicals most commonly hexane. During refining (cleaning) there is a partial removal of tocopherols, polyphenols, sterols. In terms of quality it is worse than unrefined, but its strong feature is universality.
The difference between refined and unrefined oil
Cold pressed oil, due to the lack of a refining process, differs from refined oil in terms of acidity, superoxygenicity and colour. Unrefined oil should not contain isomers of untreated fatty acids, whereas in refined oils it is dark in colour and has no flavor and odour.
Refined or unrefined oil?
Oil is not the same as oil, it's not clear which one is better. Our choice depends on the use of fat. If we want to use it for cold-cooked meals, then unrefined oils are uncompetitive in this case. When preparing food using high heat treatment, it is safest to buy refined oil because of its high smoke content and low saturated fatty acids.