What is the best way to store the oil ?
Grower & great friend Steve Hearth with hay bales used for mulch.
For long-term storage, a cool dark place is best, we recommend your refrigerator. If you plan on using the oil within 6 months after opening, a kitchen cabinet is fine. We did what is called stability testing with the oil and found that under adverse conditions, with 24 hour UV light and warmth, it had a shelf life of about 6 months. We’ve had oil in perfect condition in a pantry cabinet for over a year.
Can I fry with pumpkin seed oil ?
Original artwork created by Randall Rogers of Prairie Farm, WI for the Hay River Pumpkin Seed Oil label.
Nope. Most oils suitable for high temperature cooking tend to be clear or more refined. Pumpkin seed oil is rich in compounds that give it great flavor and nutrition but these same compounds also burn at temperatures higher than about 250°.
I see some particles in the bottom of the bottle, what’s that ?
After the pumpkin seeds are pressed, the oil is allowed to sit for about 3 to 4 weeks so that the very fine bits of the seeds settle to the bottom and the oil is clear. When the clarified oil is poured off, you are left with a delicious pumpkin seed butter. Occasionally some traces of this butter are in the bottles, it actually adds to the flavor.