700 Years of Tribute Royal Heritage Meets Modern Science: Traditional Wood-Pressing vs. Cold-Pressing

At He Lu Fang, we are often asked: "Since your brand inherits a 700-year-old royal wood-pressing heritage, why do you exclusively utilize modern low-temperature cold-pressing for your signature camellia oil today?"

The answer is remarkably simple: We want to deliver the raw, unadulterated botanical power of wild tea seeds straight to your table without losing a single nutrient.

From the 14th century, when our ancestors presented local camellia oil as a tribute to the Imperial Palace, to today as He Lu Fang exports this liquid gold globally, our tools have evolved—but our devotion to pure nature remains untouched.  

Here is a deep dive into the story, science, and differences between Traditional Wood-Pressing and Modern Cold-Pressing.

01. Traditional Wood-Pressing: The Heritage of Handcraft

Traditional wood-pressing is a celebrated cultural art form born in ancient mountain villages. The process is labor-intensive:

harvesting wild fruits after the autumn frost, slow-roasting the seeds over gentle flames, steaming the meal in wooden vats, and using heavy wooden rams to slowly press the oil out. 

• Flavor Profile: Because it involves slow-roasting and steaming, wood-pressing falls under warm-pressing. It produces a deep amber oil with a rich, toasted aroma—perfect for traditional high-heat Asian wok cooking. 

   

• Cultural Soul: It embodies generations of artisanal wisdom and the romantic, earthy ritual of traditional agriculture.   

  
  

02. Modern Cold-Pressing: The He Lu Fang Standard

If traditional wood-pressing honors our history, modern cold-pressing is our commitment to clean, cellular wellness.  

Crucial bioactive compounds in wild camellia seeds—such as Squalene, Tea Polyphenols, Vitamin E, and ~80% Monounsaturated Oleic Acid—are extremely sensitive to heat. To preserve these delicate nutrients, He Lu Fang operates a state-of-the-art, dust-free manufacturing facility: 

1. Ambient Mechanical Pressing: We physically hull and press the seeds at room temperature without chemical solvents or high heat.  

   Pristine & Clean: The resulting oil is brilliantly clear and golden, retaining the subtle, earthy, and nutty aroma of raw mountain seeds.  

   
   

2. Pristine & Clean: The resulting oil is brilliantly clear and golden, retaining the subtle, earthy, and nutty aroma of raw mountain seeds.  

   
   

3. 485°F (252°C) High Smoke Point: Unharmed by high heat during extraction, our cold-pressed oil remains exceptionally stable. Whether consumed raw every morning for gut health or used for crisp pan-searing, it produces zero toxic smoke or free radicals.

💡 At a Glance: Craft Comparison

Pure Nature, Uncompromised

From an imperial tribute oil seven centuries ago to a modern USDA Organic certified standard today, He Lu Fang remains dedicated to one true purpose: Honoring the wild mountains and delivering nature’s purest gift.  

We use modern science to protect what nature gave us—so that every drop in your kitchen is as pure, gentle, and nourishing as the wild forests it came from.