Press cake facts for kids

This is a press cake made from sesame seeds.

These are "oil cakes" from a mill, which are a type of press cake.

This is a press cake made from cocoa beans, used to make cocoa powder.

A press cake is what's left over after you squeeze the liquid out of something. Imagine pressing grapes to make juice; the squished grape skins and seeds left behind are a type of press cake. People often call them oil cakes when they come from seeds or nuts that produce oil.

The most common use for these leftover solids is as animal feed. They are packed with nutrients, making them a good food source for farm animals.

What Are Press Cakes?

Press cakes are the solid parts that remain after a process called expeller pressing. This is a way to squeeze out liquids, like oils or juices, from plants. Think of it like using a giant juicer! The liquid comes out, and the solid, dry material is the press cake.

Where Do Press Cakes Come From?

Many different foods and plants create press cakes when their liquids are removed. Here are some common examples:

• Olives: When olives are pressed to make olive oil, the leftover solids are called pomace.
• Peanuts: After peanuts are pressed for peanut oil, a peanut press cake remains.
• Coconuts: The flesh of coconuts is pressed to get coconut milk and cream. The solid part left behind is called sapal.
• Grapes: When grapes are pressed for wine, the leftover skins, seeds, and stems are also called pomace.
• Apples: Making cider from apples leaves behind apple pomace.
• Soybeans: Soybeans are pressed to make soy milk. The leftover pulp is called soy pulp. This pulp can be used to make tofu or other foods. Soybeans are also pressed for soybean oil.

Other common press cakes come from flax seeds (also known as linseeds), cottonseed, and sunflower seeds.

Are All Press Cakes Safe?

Not all press cakes are safe for animals or people to eat. Some kinds can be toxic, meaning they have natural chemicals that are harmful. For example, cottonseed contains a toxic pigment called gossypol. This harmful substance must be removed before the cottonseed press cake can be used for animal feed. If a press cake is toxic, it might be used as a fertilizer instead, to help plants grow.

Culinary Uses of Press Cakes

While many press cakes are used for animal feed or fertilizer, some are used in cooking!

• In Nepalese cuisine, the press cake from Persian walnuts is used in dishes. People in some regions also apply it to their forehead to help with headaches.
• Sometimes, press cakes are even used as fuel for boilers. This helps reduce energy costs because they can burn and create heat.

See also

In Spanish: Turtó para niños