The Health Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin Coconut Oil, or VCO, is the newest, high-value coconut product widely sought after for its human nutraceutical benefits and functional food. As the world becomes more familiar with the incredible health benefits of virgin coconut oil, we now witness the rapid rise of this remarkable substance, with so much potential for growth.

Coconuts have traveled far and wide. What started as folk medicine almost 4000 years ago, is now enjoying a resurgence in popularity throughout the world. Now that they have finally arrived at the mainland- and are somewhat mainstream, this guide is designed to tell you everything you need to know about this new craze in tropical goodness.

Let’s dive in.

 

What is Virgin Coconut Oil? 

Ah, the coconut. Not only does this incredible fruit, nut, and seed transform you into a world of white-sand beaches, palm trees, and strolls on a golden shore, but it can also provide you with astonishing health benefits—especially virgin coconut oil.

Declared as the ‘lifeline of well-being,’ it is known worldwide for its delightful aroma and flavor, as well as its nourishing antioxidants, vitamins, and medium-chain suetty acids.

While coconut oil is assuredly un-foreign to most, virgin coconut oil may be a little unfamiliar.

Simply put, the virgin strain is a new, highly value-added version of coconut oil. But in order to find out what it truly is, we have to look at how it’s produced. 

 

How is Virgin Coconut Oil Made?

Virgin coconut oil is something that preserves the virtues of a coconut. Specifically, white kernel. The coconut white kernel is known as the meat of the coconut fruit, and is used to extract coconut milk and coconut oil.

It enhances the natural beauty as it protects the milk from harm throughout the heating process that conventional coconut oil undergoes.

The only way this is possible is via cold-processed technology. This is what obliterates the need for warming elements during the coconut milk extraction process, and is what secures that this world’s natural goodness endures unimpaired.

So, now that you know what virgin coconut oil is, and how it’s made- what’s the difference between VCO and regular ol’ coconut oil? 

 

Virgin Coconut Oil vs. Refined Coconut Oil  

While both are highly wholesome, versatile, and can be solid substitutes for a bunch of baking, cooking, and body care ingredients, there are some critical differences between the two.

Let’s look at refined coconut oil first:

Refined Coconut Oil

It contains a neutral scent and flavor

Heats up to 400F

Made from dried coconuts

Steam refined, no chemicals used

 

Now, virgin coconut oil:

Virgin Coconut Oil

Some strains boast a delicious, tropical coconut scent and flavor. However, you may find many different grades of regular coconut oil below virgin coconut oil that have a smell and taste that may seem stronger, tasting a bit burnt, or slightly bitter.

Heats up to 350F

Made from fresh coconuts

Unrefined

 One of the most paramount variations between VCO and regular coconut oil is the flavor and fragrance. While the virgin strain possesses a delightful, tropical coconut scent and flavor, refined coconut oil has a neutral odor and taste.

 

VCO vs. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil 

Many people also often ask about the differences between the regular and extra virgin coconut oil. But we can tell you right now; that it’s all virtually meaningless.

Since oil experts understand extra virgin to be the best olive oil grade, manufacturers began to label coconut oil as “extra” virgin in order to boast that their brand is the ‘best coconut oil’ one can find.

In retrospect, there are only two types of coconut oils to look out for – virgin, and refined. Coconut governing authorities only accept virgin grade, and don’t recognize extra virgin coconut oil as the real one – so don’t be fooled. 

 

The Health Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil

When it comes to your health, ditching all chemicals is the best option. Living a natural life – that’s all you need to be complete, and VCO plays a significant role in this.

There are so many health benefits of virgin coconut oil, and we’re going to explain them all next thoroughly.

First up, let’s talk about virgin coconut nutrition.

Virgin Coconut Oil Nutrition

In just one tablespoon of VCO, you can find:

Nutrition Facts	For a Serving Size of 1 tbsp (14g)
Calories	120
Total Fat	14g
Saturated fat	13g
Monounsaturated fat	1g
Polyunsaturated fat	0.5g
Sodium	0mg
Carbohydrates	0g
Net carbs 0g	0g
Fiber	0g

 *The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs.

It’s incredibly similar to olive oil in the sense that it contains 119 calories and 13.5g of fat. (1)

 

The Benefits of VCO for Skin, Hair & Teeth

VCO can act as a substitute for quite a few things in your beauty kit. It works wonders as a moisturizing agent and can also serve as lip balm, makeup remover, and a frizzy hair contender as it preserves moisture.

The Skin

The health benefits of virgin coconut oil definitely include those of the skin. It contains anti-aging properties as it blossoms in antioxidants, and it can also be used for cuticle care as the coconut oil’s emollient nature retains softness in the cuticles.

If you’re someone that loves rosy lips, then a fun DIY lip balm made from VCO will be your best friend. All you have to do is crush a few pomegranate seeds and strain them into a small pot, add some VCO and mix thoroughly. Then, refrigerate.

This earthy lip balm will stay good for around a week, and give you luscious lips for months to come.

The Hair

Are you interested in learning the secret behind the abundant and flowing mane of women (or even men) in the tropics?

It’s virgin coconut oil.

VCO benefits hair in a multitude of ways that factory-manufactured hair-care products will never be able to meet. As the health benefits of virgin coconut oil include lowering protein loss, it helps to keep the hair strong; and adds a sparkling shine to the hair strands.

When applied to the head, it can be rubbed in with a gentle massage. This has been known to help relieve any stress you may have bottled up inside. Due to this, its popularity as a massage oil has also risen immensely.

Furthermore, VCO can also be used as a conditioner to enhance your hair’s overall look and feel. It can help control frizz and make your hair shinier, with an overall healthy glow.

The Teeth

Virgin coconut oil has been involved in a wide range of studies that conclude that it may help fight plaque and gum disease, amongst many other things.

“In one study, oil pulling with coconut oil significantly decreased plaque buildup and signs of gingivitis in 60 participants with plaque-induced gum disease” (2)

Studies also show that VCO attacks Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. Both refer to two groups of bacteria that are to blame for tooth decay. They say that this magnificent strain of coconut can reduce both as effectively as a rigid mouthwash containing chlorhexidine.

 

The Health Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil in Controlling Blood Sugar

VCO assists in the control of blood sugar, and may improve the secretion of insulin. Experts say that one huge benefit is that it reinforces the immune system because it holds antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid, and caprylic acid. All boast antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral characteristics.

 

VCO Benefits for Cardiovascular Diseases and Heart Health

CVD, or, Cardiovascular disease has been labeled as the leading cause of mortality throughout the world. It’s something that is constantly associated with significant overheads and the decline of population productivity.

It all comes down to your diet. Various studies have shown us that a diet rich in good fats, like virgin coconut oil, has been associated with a reduced CVD risk. The studies conclude that it shows increasingly promising effects on improving any risks associated with CVD, thus lowering any danger.

 

VCO for Cholesterol  

In the human body, sits two types of cholesterol. We have high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is known as the ‘good’ version. And, we have ‘bad’ cholesterol, which is known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

VCO has been linked with reducing cholesterol levels, while also maintaining the levels of blood coagulation factors. Studies show us that when consumed, it can prevent any oxidation from the ‘bad’ LDL oxidants. In fact, it promotes the ‘good’ HDL, which in turn, may boost cardiovascular health as a whole. 

 

VCO Benefits for Weight Loss

Although exercise is essential, your diet stands on top. It’s especially vital if you’re trying to lose weight. By just tweaking your diet ever so slightly, you can burn fat and accelerate the weight loss procedure.

Virgin coconut oil can be everything you need and more when trying to shed off the pounds. This incredible substance doesn’t only benefit you in your goal to gaining supple skin and a healthier heart, but it’s also there to assist you on your weight loss journey.

As it’s packed with vitamin E, polyphenols, and antioxidants, VCO can help to balance your hormones, specifically those that prevent weight gain due to an imbalance in hormones. It does not contain saturated fats, which means it can help boost your metabolism, and ultimately, increase your energy.

Due to the factors you see above, VCO has quickly made its way to the top and stands as a staple in sports nutrition, even showing an improvement in the performance of athletes whilst out on the field.

 

VCO Benefits for Improving Brain Function

Conditions that reduce your brain’s ability to use glucose for energy, like Alzheimer’s disease, are the most common causes of dementia.

The New York Academy of Science conducted a study that revolved around dementia. It suggested that ketones could produce an alternative energy source for any malfunctioning brain cells in the body. Ultimately, the outcome showed us that ketones were able to reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s significantly.

In today’s world, this wonderful substance is highly recommended for its myriad health benefits. There’s an increasingly positive association between the prevention of Alzheimer’s and VCO, including positive improvements in cognitive and cognition performance, orientation, and semantic memory in individuals after using it.

From this, you can see why health experts worldwide now support the addition of in prescribed amounts to your daily diet.

 

VCO Benefits in the Potential Prevention of Epilepsy

Here we once again look at the health benefits of virgin coconut oil for the brain, but this time, it revolves around epilepsy.

Similar to ketones that orbit brain function, centuries ago, a “ketogenic diet” was the talk of the town when it came to reducing seizures in some children who possessed epilepsy. It was a huge success, and to this day, it’s still used throughout the fight to reduce the frequency and depth of pediatric seizures.

The VCO benefits kick in through the medium-chain triglycerides it possesses. Experts say that this aspect could aid in increasing the body’s ketones, without necessarily having to first obtain a complete ketogenic diet. Thus, meaning that VCO may aid in the potential prevention of epilepsy.

 

VCO Benefits in the Possible Obstruction of Yeast Infections

Common yeast infections are produced from a type of fungus known as, you guessed it, yeast. It’s a single-cell organism that exists throughout our environment; however, your body can often handle this fungus without experiencing any significant problems.

Sure, yeast infections can be itchy, uncomfortable, and somewhat challenging to deal with. However, it’s not impossible to overcome the condition, especially with VCO.

Since this fantastic home remedy can act as an antifungal agent, most women now turn to this remedy for an easy cure. A thin layer gently applied on the infection site can help kill some of the yeast, and may even soothe dry, irritated skin, ultimately allowing it to heal. 

 

VCO Benefits for Liver Health

The liver is widely known as one of the most laborious organs in the human body. It helps you detoxify, conceals hormones, strengthens protein, and performs countless amounts of other tasks to ensure your body functions efficiently.

As virgin coconut oil contains the presence of medium-chain fatty acids, it could help to prevent liver disease. This is due to the fact that it can be easily converted into energy as soon as it reaches the liver.

VCO may benefit the liver in two ways:

1. It can help to convert fatty acids into energy, which can reduce the liver’s overall workload.
2. As it transforms fat into energy, it prevents it from entering the bloodstream, thus lessening fat accumulation in the liver.

 

How to Use Virgin Coconut Oil

Now that you’re entirely aware of all the health benefits this remarkable substance provides, let’s sum up every single VCO benefit we mentioned, and find out every single way we can use it.

VCO can be used to:

• Shield your skin from UV rays
• Boost your metabolism
• Cook delicious meals safely at a high heat (click here for mouth-watering VCO recipes)
• Promote your dental wellness
• Cure skin irritability and eczema
• Improve function in the brain
• Moisturize your skin
• Help combat infections
• Grow your ‘good’ HDL cholesterol
• Defend your hair from damage
• Decrease hunger
• Encourage bone health
• Decrease inflammation
• Gain energy quickly
• Restore worn cuticles
• Enhance liver health

 

Storing Virgin Coconut Oil

In order to reap the rewards of the health benefits of virgin coconut oil, you must ensure that you store it correctly. This will help you to preserve it for the most extended amount of time possible, and enjoy all of the natural goodness it brings.

Up next, we’re leaving you with some tips to ensure you store your VCO correctly:

• Store at a constant temperature – When you heat and cool virgin coconut oil, it can cause it to go bad faster. Instead, choose one space for storage, and keep it right there.
• Store in a dark container – This will aid in protecting it from the sunlight, which could compromise the quality.
• Store in a cool, dry place – Storing in a cool and dry place may prevent the oil from melting. While it’s common for coconut oil to melt, some may want it firm. If it does melt, place it in the refrigerator for several hours until it’s the texture you want. If you live in a cold climate and your VCO is firm, don’t be afraid to heat up the required amount – this won’t compromise any nutrients.
• Check-in on your VCO every couple of months – Virgin coconut oil can be stored for several years, but like any food or drink, it’s important to look it over for signs of mold. If you spot anything out of the ordinary, throw it out.

 

Virgin Coconut Oil – FAQs

Q: How much VCO can I take daily?

A: Studies show that two tablespoons (30ml) are an adequate amount to consume daily. This is a sufficient amount that will help virgin coconut oil reduce fat around the stomach, amongst other health advantages.

Q: Can I drink VCO?

A: When consumed, virgin coconut oil is known to be safe. Look out for the color; if it resembles water in clarity and flow, then go for it!

Q: Will VCO clog my pores?

A: Refined coconut oil is profoundly comedogenic, which means it may clog pores. However, its unrefined organic cousin is a blessing for skincare treatments. Everyone is built with various skin types, if it works for you, then great! If not, use VCO for all the other excellent benefits it provides.

Q: Can VCO remove stretch marks?

A: If consistently applied to the skin, it may help to reduce the occurrence of stretch marks, or even speed up their healing.

Q: Is VCO suitable for babies?

A:  VCO is incredibly safe to use on babies and children. It can help to improve any underlying symptoms, as well as moisturize their soft skin.

 

The Conclusion

The earth we live on is large, vast, and beautiful. Its natural excellence has created one of the most nourishing superfoods we will ever see in our lifetime, especially when purchased from the right source.

Coco House organic virgin coconut oil basks in a creamy taste of the tropics. It is excellent when used for baking, enhancing your favorite recipes, self-care, or even reaping the many health benefits this natural substance provides.

We at Coco House prioritize quality and effectiveness. We source our organic coconuts from the Sri Lankan coconut triangle, and specifically sort them for maximum freshness, allowing only the best coconuts into the production process.

Our virgin coconut oil is cold-pressed, retaining the fresh coconut’s natural aroma, taste, and nutrients. We integrate the care of human touch with the precision enhancement of technology.

With this in mind, click here to view our wide range of organic VCO products, and become a part of our natural goodness journey.

Join the tree-to-tree rebellion with Coco House, and find out what makes us so unique.

References:

(1) https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/coconut-oil-health-benefits-nutrition-facts-uses-more/

(2) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-and-teeth

 

Years ago, if someone were to tell me that there was one single product that solved dozens of health and beauty woes, I most likely wouldn’t have believed them. One product that you can use to cook, moisturize your hair, remove your makeup, and hydrate your skin? Not possible, I would have thought. However, this little miracle does exist. And, unlike many fancy beauty and cooking products out there, it is free of chemicals and 100 percent natural. This wonder is none other than coconut oil.

I use coconut oil every day on my skin, my hair, and even in the kitchen. In fact, most of the time when a friend comes to me asking for a quick fix for a beauty or skin problem, my answer is “just put some coconut oil on it.” Now that you know a little bit about my obsession with coconut oil, today I’m going to share five ways you can incorporate it into your own lifestyle…

1. Face and Body Moisturizer
   If you rub a little bit of coconut oil between your hands, you will immediately notice how incredibly moisturizing it feels on your skin. As a face and body moisturizer, coconut oil is much more hydrating than average store-bought lotions because the oil penetrates deep layers of the skin and actually helps to strengthen underlying tissues (Huffington Post). It will also help remove dead skin cells, removing any rough or flaky texture from your skin’s surface and giving you a full body glow. You can use coconut oil as a moisturizer for your entire face, but I like to put it under my eyes and on my lips before bedtime. For my body, I mix equal parts coconut oil and body lotion together to create an ultra hydrating cream, and I apply it right when I get out of the shower. You can also add essential oils like lavender or vanilla to scent your oil, but many people love the natural, tropical scent as it is. The best part about this oil is that it will absorb into your skin without feeling oily or greasy.

2. Hair Mask
   Just as coconut oil works wonder for your skin, it will also give your hair a silky texture and tons of shine. I use coconut oil as a hair mask at night after I’ve washed my hair. Simply heat up about 3 to 5 tablespoons of coconut oil in the microwave, so that it’s a warm liquid. Then, after it has cooled, apply it to your hair as you would any hair mask. Put on a plastic shower cap or wrap an old T-shirt around your head, and leave the oil in while you sleep. When you wake up, wash your hair and discover your best hair day yet. You can thank me later.Note:Unlike store-bought hair masks, coconut oil is all natural and great for your skin. So, if a little bit happens to rub off onto your pillow while you’re sleeping, you don’t have to worry about dealing with clogged pores or a breakout the next day.
3. Makeup Remover
   One of my favorite uses for coconut oil that I discovered all on my own is it’s gentle power to remove makeup. I was applying a bit under my eyes one night before bed, and I noticed that it was easily removing some extra mascara that hadn’t washed off with my face wash. Now, before I wash my face, I use my finger to gently rub downward on my eyes and eyelashes to remove my eye makeup from the day.Tip: Leaving a little oil on the base of your eyelashes can actually help them grow a bit, so it’s ok if you don’t rinse it all completely off afterwards.

4. Cooking Oil
   Coconut oil is also one of the healthiest oils to use when cooking. Our favorite nutritionist Shira Lenchewski, RD., explains that unlike animal fats, which are made up of long chain triglycerides (LCT), coconut oil is made up of medium chain triglycerides (MCT). MCTs are metabolized more rapidly in the body than LCTs, so there’s increased fat burning potential. Many healthy oils (like olive and flax) break down into harmful compounds when heated to their “smoke-point.” But coconut oil remains stable at higher temperatures, so it’s a great option for stir-frying and pan-searing.  For cooking, Shira recommends using unrefined coconut oil, also called raw or virgin.

5. Baking Ingredient
   Coconut oil is a great ingredient to have in the pantry if you love baking. Shira says that because coconut oil is a saturated fat, it’s a great substitute for butter in baked goods. Saturated fats are the typical fat of choice in baking, due to their favorable effects on texture. And while saturated fats don’t have the same beneficial effect on good cholesterol as mono- and polyunsaturated oils, they do play a role in various brain and body functions, explains Shira.

Tip: Always buy unrefined, extra virgin coconut oil, since it goes through the least process and is closest to its natural state. For cooking, make sure your coconut oil indicates that it can stand high-heat, not just medium heat.

I also take a coconut oil supplement with my daily vitamins to make my hair shiny and my skin blemish-free. And I’ve been using coconut oil to experiment with oil pulling. I’ve been trying it for the past two weeks, so I’ll be sharing my results here on LaurenConrad.com in the coming weeks…stay tuned!

WHY I LOVE USING COCONUT OIL

Baking: Coconut oil can be substituted 1-for-1 in most baking recipes that call for butter or oil (check out my Maple Granola Muffins and Coconut Granola for some delicious and healthy recipes).

Cooking: My friend Jo got me hooked on cooking eggs in coconut oil. They do taste a little bit like coconut, but that’s a good thing to me.

Body lotion: After the shower, I rub coconut oil all over my body— it feels and smells amazing. I also do this on the kids when their skin is dry (which isn’t too often since we rarely even use soap on them).

Facial moisturizer: I was very scared to put coconut oil on my face. Since moving to Florida I have had issues with acne. So bad, I resorted to Proactive. Well, two months ago I ran out of my face lotion and decided to give coconut oil a try. Sure enough, my face feels good and the acne has subdued. Turns out coconut oil is antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial, which explains why my face hasn’t broken out from it!

**Update 9/10/12: I have been adding 2 drops of tea tree essential oil to the dab of coconut oil I put on my face and the results are awesome. My acne has really cleared and my face has evened out (less red areas). I also think it has to do with me drinking more green smoothies, which are a great way to help your skin glow.

Eye makeup remover: On the rare occasion I actually put on makeup, I do use a cotton ball and a little coconut oil to remove it. Works better than anything else, hands down.

Homemade Deodorant

Homemade deodorant: And it actually works!!! This stuff is so good— I highly recommend that you make your own. Here is the easy, peasy recipe.

Hair tamer: I have thick, curly and wild hair— coconut oil helps bring sanity to the situation. After the shower, I use mousse and then smooth some coconut oil on my unruly curls to calm it down.

Deep conditioner for hair: At least once a month, I slather this on the tips of my hair and (even my scalp) and let it soak in for a few hours. Then I brush it through and massage my scalp before I shower. I shampoo it twice through with Yes To, my favorite brand of shampoo and conditioner that is paraben free.

Homemade Toothpaste

Health Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil (cold pressed):

1. Thyroid-stimulating: Research shows that coconut oil contains a medium-chain fatty acids accelerate that stimulates metabolism, gives you more energy.

2. Get candida in check: Coconut oil has a good quantity of caprylic acid in it which is well known to kill off excess candida by targeting harmful bacteria.

3. Lowers cholesterol: It is rich in lauric acid which protects your heart by reducing total cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol.

4. Helps with weight loss: Here is an interesting fact about coconut oil; even though it is a fat, it actually helps with weight loss!  Read more here: Weight Loss With Coconut Oil. The healthy medium chain fatty acids do not circulate in the bloodstream like other fats; they are sent directly to the liver and are converted into energy. Thus the body does not store the fat in coconut oil as fat; it uses it to produce energy instead.

5. Helps keep diabetes in check: It does not produce an insulin spike in your bloodstream. Instead it helps control blood sugar by improving the secretion of insulin. Note: This is not a free pass to eat a lot of sugar and other dumb arbs.

6. Reduces heart disease: studies on people in the Pacific Islands found that their total caloric intake included thirty to sixty percent from fully saturated coconut oil. These Pacific Islanders have nearly non-existent rates of cardiovascular disease.

7. Gastrointestinal malabsorption diseases: Combining Vitamin E supplements with coconut oil through the skin proved to be a good alternative for those with gastrointestinal malabsorption diseases. Study in Canada 1999 University of Western Ontario

8. Supports the immune system. It is rich in lauric acid, a nutrient that supports the body’s immune system.

9. Good for the skin: When applied externally it forms a protective antibacterial layer protecting the infected body part.  Also, coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by helping to repair damaged tissue.  http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/coconut-oil-super-powers-pt-2

10. Nourishing for the brain: Studies show that it improves cognitive function, and stalls, or even reverses, neurodegenerative diseases in their early stages.

11. Ancient medicine:
Coconut oil has been part of Ayurvedic medicine for 5,000 years in India.

12. Speeds Recovery:
People in Panama drink a glass of coconut oil to protect themselves from illness as it is also believed to speed recovery from sickness.

Read about the numerous research studies done on coconut oil: Coconut Oil Research

“Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. Lauric acid is a medium chain fatty acid, which has the additional beneficial function of being formed into monolaurin in the human or animal body. Monolaurin is the anti-viral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria!” according to research by Dr. Mary Enig.

The top 5 coconut producers in the world are Indonesia, Philippines, India, Brazil and Sri Lanka. Because of the high local consumption of coconuts in both India and Brazil, the world’s largest exporters of coconuts and coconut derivatives are Indonesia, Philippines and Sri Lanka, in that order.These export nations primarily focus on manufactured products such as Virgin Coconut Oil (http://export-lanka.com/Virgin-Coconut-Oil/Organic-Virgin-Coconut-Oil-200L-Drum), Desiccated Coconut, Coconut Syrup and Coconut Water (http://export-lanka.com/Other-Coconut-Products/organic-coconut-water).

Country	Coconuts in Tons
Indonesia	183M
Philippines	153M
India	119M
Brazil	2.8M
Sri Lanka	2.5M

 

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, which represents unrefined, cold-pressed, and white kernel extracted coconut oil (details of the manufacturing process is found on the following link – http://export-lanka.com/VirginCoconutOil), could be purchased and imported from any of the exporting nations. Although sensory variations exist between the nations, the specification is largely intact. The color of virgin coconut oil is pure white/crystal clear with no sediments. The taste and odor of virgin coconut oil are fresh and mild, respectively. The nutritional makeup of coconut oil is 95% saturated fats, with 0 transfat.

Since coconut trees are more than twenty feet in height, with a superior in-built filtration system at every foot of the coconut bark, toxins rarely make it up to the coconuts themselves. However, a certified organic estate is also disallowed to have high levels of organic pollutants / toxins on the soil i.e. harmful pesticides and fertilizers are banned from use. Organic certified Virgin Coconut Oil is processed from organic coconuts. Inspection and certification bodies such as Control Union conduct traceability tests in order to verify the authenticity of the organic process and awards an annual scope certificate to the manufacturing company.

The price of Virgin Coconut Oil is determined by both demand and supply. The price may differ based on country and season. Drastic changes in price primarily occur because of weather driven shortages and gluts. Coconut trees require a strong mix of sunlight and rain to produce a bountiful harvest.

Most coconut oils available in the market fall into the following buckets –

1. Testa Coconut oil;
2. Copra Coconut oil;
3. Refined, Bleached, Deodorized Coconut Oil (RBD Coconut Oil);
4. Whole Kernel Coconut Oil;
5. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil;

What distinguishes the above oil categories from each other is the way each one is produced.

Coconut Oil Category	Coconut base/input	Drying temperature	Expelling Temperature	Refined, Bleached and Deodorised
Testa Oil	Coconut testa	High above 70 celcius	High above 50 celcius	NO
Copra Oil	Aged/rotten whole kernel (white coconut kernel and testa)	High above 85 celcius	High above 60 celcius	NO
RBD Coconut Oil	Other coconut oil	N/A	N/A	YES
Whole Kernel Coconut Oil	Fresh whole kernel (white coconut kernel and testa)	60-80 celcius	60-70 celcius	NO
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil	Fresh white coconut kernel	50-60 Celsius (cold-pressed)	45-55 Celsius (cold-pressed)	NO

 

As a result of the variation in the production method, the final output differs in colour, smell, taste, fatty acid %, iodine value and other parameters.

Coconut Oil Category	Colour	Smell	Taste	Nutrients	Free Fatty Acid %
Testa Oil	Yellow	Strong, somewhat acidic	Strong and slightly acidic	Low	>1%
Copra Oil	Pale yellow	Appealing but slightly burnt smell	Appealing but slight burnt milk taste	Low	<1%
RBD Coconut Oil	Yellow to pure white	No smell	No taste	Low	<0.2%
Whole Kernel Coconut Oil	Pale yellow	Appealing but slightly strong smell	Appealing strong milky taste	Good	<1%
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil	Pure white, sediment free	Mild, appealing coconut smell	Mild milky, appealing taste	Best	<0.2%

 

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil leads the space as the best quality coconut oil in the market. However, as a result of its input – fresh coconut white kernel -, and its production method – cold-pressed drying and expelling – the cost of production of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is the highest amongst coconut oils.