How To Choose A Good Coconut Oil
Its no secret that I am a fan of coconut oil. Not only is it full of the best kinds of saturated fat and metabolism-boosting medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), but it holds up well under the heat of cooking. Its a versatile, ancient oil that goes well in everything from smoothies to homemade french fries.
But how do you pick the best, most healthy coconut oil? How do you know whether to get a refined or unrefined oil? What do all those labels like virgin, extra-virgin, and expeller-pressed mean? Whats the difference between the cheap coconut oil I see on my grocery store shelf and the high-quality oil I can buy online?
Consider this your definitive guide to how to choose a good coconut oil.
The two most broad categories of coconut oil are refined and unrefined.
Refined Coconut Oil
A refined coconut oil is usually rather tasteless and odorless. Because it has been refined, it can usually withstand slightly higher cooking temperatures before reaching its smoke point. Refined coconut oils are excellent for cooking foods where you need lots of clean, pure, malleable fat without a dominating coconut flavor. (Think pie crusts or french fries.) Refined coconut oils do not offer the same health benefits of a virgin, completely raw coconut oil, but they are still excellent sources of most of the beneficial fatty acids (like MCTs). As a given, almost all the coconut oils available in your grocery store or vitamin store are refined unless they specifically say otherwise on their label.
Unrefined Coconut Oil
An unrefined coconut oil is typically labeled virgin or extra-virgin. To my knowledge, theres not any consistent difference between virgin and extra-virgin coconut oils across all brands. Each brand tends to have their own definition of these labels. In general, though, virgin and extra-virgin coconut oils are made from the first pressing of fresh, raw coconut without the addition of any chemicals.
Cold-Pressed, Expeller-Pressed, and Centrifuged
These are methods of extracting the oil from the dry or fresh coconut and can be found in both refined and unrefined varieties. Generally speaking, all methods can create a tasty, good, healthy oil.
How To Get A Good Deal On Coconut Oil
In general, the coconut oil available in most stores can get quite pricey. (And, its not very likely to be a good product!) The way to really save money on coconut oil is to buy it in bulk. I buy anywhere from a gallon to five gallons at a time. Since the oil is so stable and keeps for at least 6 months or more, I find that buying in large quantities is definitely worth it. Before you commit to a big batch, though, I suggest buying a small amount of the variety/brand you want in order to ensure you like the way it tastes and smells. I also recommend that you find other like-minded friends to place an order with you, as that will greatly reduce shipping costs.
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