Khokana is a traditional and tiny Newari village about 8 kilometers south of Kathmandu (on the outskirts of Patan).
Mustard oil company
Connecting generations
July 30, 2020
exhibition- Barcelona
November 22, 2020stories from Nepal- mustard oil company
the oil mill
Khokana is mainly known for the production of rich mustard oil since ancient time.
Sign on the entrance door.
Jyaasha Oil Mill is one of remaining two mills in Khokana, producing the famed mustard oil.
The majority of mustard seeds used is no longer locally produced, but imported from the southern regions of the country or from India.
It was used through centuries in Rome, Greece and India as a culinary and therapeutic agent.
We were invited in, there was story waiting.
I couldn’t avoid the strong annoying smell while struggling with my camera in low light conditions.
Small windows filled with burning highlights didn’t help me at all, but they did challenge me.
Mustard oil can replace the vegetable oil in almost all the Indian curries except maybe the ones in south, which are cooked in coconut oil.
Regular customers used to collect mustard seeds in return of the oil.
Home- next door.
It is important for Nepali to have a special place to worship the Gods.
Interesting facts about the mustard oil
It improves heart health and reduces cancer risks.
Being extracted from Mustard seeds, this oil carries a huge array of health benefits.
To avoid the smell, It needs to be heated until it starts smoking, because this will break down some of the compounds which are deemed not fit for consumption.
Mustard oil is highly recommended for the reason that it is full of monounsaturated fatty acids.
Rich in MUFA, PUFA, Omega 3 & 6, Vitamin E, Minerals and anti-oxidants it demonstrates strong Anti-Microbial property.
As an antibacterial when used both externally and internally. Internally it fights with the bacterial infections in colon, intestines and other parts of digestive tract while externally fights both bacterial and fungal infections of the skin.
It helps improves circulation, boosts metabolism, relieves sinus congestion and most importantly invigorates digestion.
The local production does not fulfill the demands of the mill.
A mill needs 10,000 kg mustard seeds every month for its full operation.
There’s no proper quality control for oils that are imported to Nepal. It can be mixed or not pure.
Whether a small mill companies will be able to afford to continue the work, or whether the next generation will continue the family tradition, is up for question, the future is murky.