Most coconut oils available in the market fall into the following buckets –
- Testa Coconut oil;
- Copra Coconut oil;
- Refined, Bleached, Deodorized Coconut Oil (RBD Coconut Oil);
- Whole Kernel Coconut Oil;
- 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.
