Which coconut oil

Unrefined coconut oil is solid at room temperature and has a strong coconut flavor and scent, which it can impart onto foods that include it. On the other hand, refined coconut oil undergoes some additional processing to make it better suited for cooking. It begins with pressing crude coconut oil from copra. At this step, the process may be similar to that of the dry extraction of unrefined coconut oil.

Next, one or more of the following steps may occur, depending on the manufacturing process 5 :. Additionally, refined and unrefined coconut oils have similar nutrient profiles, providing calories of pure fat per tablespoon 14 grams.

Each type likewise contains similar ratios of MCTs, lauric acid, and saturated and unsaturated fats 4 , 7 , 8 , 9. Unrefined coconut oil can be dry or wet extracted, while refined coconut oil undergoes some additional processing steps. Refined coconut oil is mostly flavorless and has a higher smoke point than unrefined coconut oil.

For the most part, choosing refined or unrefined coconut oil is a matter of personal preference. However, there are certain applications for which one type may be better suited than the other. Here are some examples. This makes coconut oil ideal for use in recipes like vegan biscuits or pie crusts, in which the use of solid fat helps create a light and flaky product. Because of our commitment to producing the highest quality products, this process is certified organic and uses absolutely no chemicals.

Virgin Coconut Oil is best for medium heat cooking up to degrees. Are you ready to try Refined Coconut Oil? Great news! Both Refined and Virgin Coconut Oil have the same nutritional profile. The next step is to confirm that Virgin Coconut Oil is cold-pressed, made without hexane, and never deodorized or bleached. There is no wrong answer here — provided you start with quality oils from a quality company.

The brand we use most often is Wilderness Family Naturals. You may have to try a few coconut oils in different applications to find out what you or your family likes. These are in order from most refined to least refined and it's a given that we're discussing organic versions of each type…. Clean, neutral flavor suitable for high heat cooking, baking, and frying. Not raw. Choose organic. Least expensive. Organic coconuts are opened and quickly dried.

These dried coconuts are then mechanically pressed to remove the oil. No chemical solvents are used at any time during the process. Any free fatty acids in the oil are removed. Next, the oil is run through diatomaceous earth and finally, steam distilled. The resulting oil is pure and neutral in both taste and aroma. It is commonly sold as expeller-pressed coconut oil. That is generally how refined or expeller-pressed coconut oil is made. Wilderness Family Naturals adds an additional filtering step so it's even cleaner and more mild in flavor.

This type of oil is not raw because it's been exposed to heat during processing , and it's usually the least expensive option. Also, it's the most versatile — it can be filtered and reused in your own kitchen because of it's high heat stability. Stronger coconut flavor suitable for medium-heat cooking plus baking and body care. The process to make this form of coconut oil changes the unsaturated fats monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids into more saturated and trans fats.

Hydrogenated coconut oil is not recommended as an edible oil. The traditional use of fractionated coconut oil is in aromatherapy as a base oil for skin massage. This type of coconut oil is not edible and is used purely as a cosmetic. As the name suggests, fractionated coconut oil contains a fraction of natural coconut oil.

The refining process removes some of the long-chain triglycerides, leaving medium-chain triglycerides. This creates a liquid coconut oil. Fractionated coconut oil is more stable and has a long shelf life. This form of coconut oil is a colorless, odorless, light oil, which is easily absorbed into the skin. Fractionated coconut oil is suitable for even sensitive skin types. Fractionated coconut oil has disinfectant and strong antioxidant properties making it a perfect choice for healthy skin.

MCT oil is a recently hyped supplement which has gained popularity due to promotion by the diet industry. It can also be called liquid coconut oil. Technically, MCT oil is a fractionated coconut oil which is edible, it is a clear, odorless and tasteless oil liquid at room temperature. MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides. This oil is commonly a concentration of only two of the four MCFAs found naturally in coconut oil — caprylic and capric fatty acids. Most MCT oils do not contain lauric acid which is one of the most beneficial concentrated MCFAs medium chain fatty acid in coconut oil.

Its debatable if MCT oil is better than natural coconut oil when used as an edible oil. Basically, MCT oil is a manufactured oil. In the production of MCT oil, some manufacturers use chemical solvents like hexane in the refining process. MCT oil is promoted as a supplement that gives energy in the form of ketones — not glucose. This type of oil is used for cooking, adding to drinks, and as a dietary supplement. Recommended daily dosage is 15 ml or teaspoons.

Some people have reported a few undesired side effects using MCT oil.