Unrefined virgin coconut oil. How to choose coconut oil for food. By using coconut oil instead of a cream, you

Coconut oil has long ceased to be a novelty or something unusual. Many women have fallen in love with coconut oil masks, pampering their face and body with beneficial trace elements that it contains in abundance.

But, unfortunately, there is not enough information on the Russian-language Internet about how to choose good quality coconut oil .

Which coconut oil from Thailand is better: refined or unrefined?
Which oil is edible, and which is better to use for hair and body care?
And what is the use of this oil? Why does it lower cholesterol?
Can you lose weight with it? What is the best dosage to use it?

I will answer these and many other questions in a series of articles about coconut oil. In this article, we will look at choosing Thai unrefined coconut oil: what it is and how to choose the best coconut oil.

The benefit part of the article was a literal Russian translation of a brochure from one of our suppliers. This article caused a storm of questions and conflicting comments. Many clarifying questions were also collected from customers who, before buying coconut oil from Thailand, want to know more about its features and properties.

Since writing the first article about coconut oil, I have learned a lot of interesting and useful things, as well as from personal experience, I have repeatedly convinced myself that coconut oil is useful and effective for solving a variety of problems.

I already wrote about how to distinguish natural coke oil from synthetic and much more in a previous article. Here I will cover topics not covered in it.

This article was written using posts from popular health blogs in Thailand, as well as an article from the journal of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol Research University.

Types of coconut oil

So, what do we know about the types of coconut oil? Right! We all know that it is refined and unrefined. And that's it, our knowledge usually ends there. But everything is much more complicated.

The quality of this product depends on many factors. More useful is unrefined coconut oil. This is where I will stop.

What is unrefined coconut oil?

• cold or hot pressed
• first pressing or from already used “cake”
• from old or young coconuts and even from cheap old copra (technical coconut oil)
• and even the quality of the product obtained from it depends on the type of coconut

Information from the Journal of the Pharmaceutical Faculty of the Research University:

“Coconut oil is obtained from copra (the oily endosperm of coconuts). There are two methods for this.

Traditional cold pressing is an expensive and insufficiently effective method in modern conditions, which gives an oil yield of no more than 10%. This method is more gentle, it allows you to save all the beneficial properties of the oil.

The second method is hot pressing. It allows you to get more oil at a lower price at the expense of quality and purity.”

But what they write in Thai blogs ...

Coconut oil quality

High-quality oil is obtained by cold pressing, without heat and chemical treatment. It is transparent or translucent, colorless and without sediment, may contain particles of coconut and exudes a characteristic odor. The clarity of an oil is not always easy to determine, as some brands sell it in colored plastic bottles or opaque glass bottles.

Unrefined coconut oil is liquid, but at temperatures below 22°C it solidifies. To return it to its previous state, it is enough to soak it in warm water for 2-3 minutes.

The smell of oil should never be rancid or sour, but some brands have learned to change the smell with synthetic flavors. In this case, it first exudes a strong aroma, which subsequently quickly disappears and the smell becomes rancid.

Not viscous, it is easy to swallow and melts in the mouth without leaving a greasy feeling. When applied to the skin, it is quickly absorbed without forming a film.

Also, the high quality of unrefined oil is evidenced by the presence of international certificates, such as Halal, USDA organic and Bio Agri Cert.

Only such oil can be drunk and eaten, dressing salads.

Some types of cheaper unrefined and refined coconut oil can be used for cooking (when frying). They usually write on it like this: “for cooking” or “coking oil”.

Which coconut oil is healthier?

The answer is clear: unrefined cold pressed coconut oil obtained by pressing. Moreover, this oil is better for both face and body skin care, and.
You can also use lower quality, unrefined coconut oil for mouthwash and douching.

I will talk about the benefits of coconut oil and write in detail in an accessible way about its impact on health.

*The information on our site is a translation from the Thai language of resources that collaborate with doctors and specialists to provide reliable information. However, the content on this site is for additional, general educational information only.

The site materials are not intended for diagnosis or self-treatment in any way and are not a substitute for qualified medical examination and diagnosis.

If you have any illness or discomfort, see your doctor. We are against self-treatment, we are for a reasonable approach to recovery.

Key Features:

• Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
• unrefined, unbleached, non-hydrogenated, non-deodorized, non-GMO
• universal - suitable for cooking, and for skin and hair care

About the product:

Baraka Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is made from 100% natural, selected, ripe coconuts, grown in ecologically clean conditions, on plantations that have the "Organic" certificate.

Unrefined cold-pressed coconut oil is of particular value because the method of its production allows you to save all the beneficial substances of natural coconut. Of the oils on the market, only a tenth is obtained by cold pressing, and this is "virgin" - the highest quality oil.

Coconut oil contains vitamins A, C, E, as well as a large amount of antioxidants, triglycerides and saturated fatty acids, so it is very useful not only for eating, but also as a cosmetic product for skin and hair care.

Baraka Coconut Oil is cold-pressed, no refining, no bleaching, no hydrogenation, no deodorization, and is non-GMO.

Baraka coconut oil is the most widely used in the world, and hundreds of thousands of people are convinced of its benefits every day. Having bought Baraka coconut oil in our online store, you will discover the secrets of Indian cuisine, cosmetics, and medicine. Ordering oil is very simple, and this purchase will bring real joy.

Action:

As a food grade coconut oil:

• cleanses the liver
• helps to improve metabolism,
• promotes the formation of lipoproteins, fats, hormones and bile necessary for digestion,
• reduces the risk of cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes,
• helps lower blood cholesterol.

With regular skin care, coconut oil:

• intensively moisturizes, nourishes and softens the skin,
• restores hydrobalance, protects against dehydration,
• stimulates cell regeneration and renewal,
• slows down the aging process,
• prevents the formation of stretch marks,
• protects the skin from sunburn and forms an even, beautiful tan,
• reduces the risk of skin cancer,
• effectively relieves inflammation and irritation on the skin,
• has an antiseptic and antifungal effect,

When used regularly as a hair mask, coconut oil:

• restores, nourishes and moisturizes dry and damaged hair,
• helps maintain the natural shine and smoothness of the hair,
• improves the condition of the scalp, preventing the formation of dandruff,
• helps to reduce hair loss,
• protects hair from daily mechanical damage.

Indications for use:

• elevated blood cholesterol
• metabolic disorder
• liver problems
• irritation and inflammation of the skin
• damaged, dry hair
• hair loss

Contraindications:
Individual intolerance to the drug.
Instructions for use:

Coconut oil can be stored in its original form for several years without refrigeration. At temperatures below +25°C, the oil acquires a creamy texture, fully retaining its beneficial properties. If the oil is too thick, it can be warmed up a little on a steam bath.

As a Cooking Oil: Baraka Coconut Oil can be used in frying, baking and pastry making, fruit and vegetable salad dressings, and other dishes.

As a face and body oil: Apply coconut oil to the skin with gentle massage movements until completely absorbed. The oil can be used as a tanning agent and as a soothing and softening agent after epilation, pedicure, manicure and shaving.

As a hair mask: Apply coconut oil to the scalp and hair along the entire length, leave to act for at least 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with an Ayurvedic shampoo.

For cosmetic purposes, coconut oil can be used in its pure form, as well as for enriching various cosmetic products, such as creams, shampoos, masks. When used in conjunction with other beauty products, coconut oil enhances their benefits and improves nutrient absorption.

Compound:

100% extra virgin organic coconut oil.

Manufacturer: Baraka, Sri Lanka.

Best before date: 2 years.

The risk of buying a low-quality or simply unsuitable product is quite high. Consider when buying:

• Compound. The label must be marked "100% coconut oil", without extraneous additives.
• Aroma. The oil should smell like coconut or be odorless. If the aroma is chemical, it means that fragrances were used in the production.
• Color. The shade of the product varies in the liquid state from transparent or straw. When frozen - from milky to pale yellow. Yellow color will tell you that you have poor-quality refined oil.
• consistency. If the oil does not harden at room temperature, then there are foreign impurities in its composition.
• Best before date. This product does not exceed 18 months after opening the package.
• Place of purchase. Buy only in specialized stores. If it's an internet site, then look for reviews of their products.
• Package. Although glass jars are heavier than plastic, they are more environmentally friendly. Plastic packaging must be labeled "BPA Free" or a triangle with the number 1.

Advice! Refuse to buy oil in opaque packaging through which you can not see its color.

Storage rules

Coconut oil is a non-capricious product. But there are a few nuances, observing which the oil will retain its freshness for a long time.

• Protect from sunlight and store in a dark place.
• Oil doesn't like cold. He needs room temperature. But if you have to store it in the refrigerator - put the bottle on the lower side shelf where the temperature is not lower than + 5 ° C
• The bathroom is not suitable for storage due to temperature fluctuations.

Advice! At room temperature, the butter thickens; to melt it, it is advised to heat it in warm water or in the microwave. You don't have to do it all the time - it will get messed up. It is better to warm it up in small portions.

Differences: real coconut oil and fake

To check for a fake in front of you or a natural product, pay attention to the consistency of the product. As already mentioned, at temperatures below 25 ° C, it hardens and loses its transparency. Put it in the fridge for a while and if it's real butter, it will thicken. Also on the package should be the inscription "100% coconut oil". If the composition contains water and fragrances, this oil can hardly be called real.

Varieties

Ready oil is a product of processing and there is nothing you can do about it. The quality of the oil depends on how pure it came out and whether the beneficial substances were preserved during the processing of coconuts.

The best is the first cold pressed oil - virgin coconut oil. There is also refined and unrefined, hot and cold pressed.

Cold and hot pressing

Cold Pressed Coconut Oil made from fresh green coconuts, in which there is little oil. Nuts are processed under pressure (cold-pressed) or in a centrifuge (centrifuge). The result is an oil with a delicate smell and taste of coconut, with fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins. When solidified, it is white; when liquid, it is transparent. Most often with a heterogeneous texture.

Hot pressing can get more oil, because it is made from dried copra. The oil is extracted by chemical extraction or hot-pressed. Not so fragrant and simpler in taste, with fewer nutrients, it is inferior to cold-pressed oil. The texture is uniform, with a golden hue.

Cold pressed oil is used for food- they can be seasoned with salads, made sandwiches, added to pastries and used as a dietary supplement. Hot-pressed oil is more often used for the body and how.

Reference! Only 10-15% of the world's coconut oil is mined cold.

Unrefined and refined

Refining is the process of removing impurities. Most often, the oil is simply filtered. Refined oil (refined) is also called bleached, deodorized. The finished product has little or no taste and odor.

Unrefined (unrefined) - cold-pressed oil with a rich smell and taste. It can be used as a cosmetic and for cooking.

Coconut oil in cosmetology

Coconut oil perfectly moisturizes, nourishes and protects the skin. Therefore, it is used for the preparation of cosmetics. It is good in its pure form, but using it you need to know some of the features of this product.

For face

The oil is used as a component of masks, creams and mixed with other oils. Apply to well-cleansed skin.

Important! Unrefined oil has a comedogenic effect.

For sunbathing

This remedy is considered a natural sunscreen that protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation. Helps with sunburn. Evens out tan.

Important! Doesn't completely replace sunscreen.

For hair

Coconut oil is considered one of the most suitable for hair. It gently coats the hair shaft, reducing protein loss during shampooing. The best effect is achieved if you apply the oil before washing your hair and after, during combing. You can apply the product only on the tips of dry hair.

For eyelashes

Strengthens eyelashes, making them thick and lush. The oil is applied at night with a soft brush. The excess is removed with a cotton swab.

Important! Avoid getting oil in your eyes.

For eyebrows

Similarly, oil is used to strengthen and grow eyebrows. The product is applied to the hairs, lightly massaged, rubbing the oil into the skin, and remove the excess. Do this for 2-4 weeks and your eyebrows will grow thicker.

For nails

Coconut oil is good for strengthening nails and cuticles. Use it neat or add it to your hand cream.

Rating of manufacturers of coconut oils for body and hair

Coconut oil is produced in Asia and even in the USA. You can buy this product both during trips and order in the online store. Consider the most popular brands of coconut oils. Below is a rating of popular oils with a price per 100 ml in terms of price / quality ratio - whether it can be used in food, ease of packaging, smell, how well it is applied and absorbed.

11th place: Zeitoun, Jordan

Price/Quality: 5/5

450 r. - 100 ml

The production still uses manual labor and does not use preservatives.

- Products are quite expensive.

+/- The oil itself is odorless, refined. Perhaps you like unscented oil, so we will leave a neutral rating.

The product is packaged in plastic dark vials with a capacity of 100 ml. The neck is wrapped in green paper and tied with twine. There is a solid oil of 50 gr in a plastic jar. It is more convenient than a bottle in which the color of the product is not visible and from which it is inconvenient to squeeze out the frozen oil.

10th: Alaffia, USA 6/5

843 r. - 325 ml

Organic, unrefined oil in a 325g flat jar.

The label states that the product does not contain GMOs and is not tested on animals.

- The smell is artificial, but there are no marks on the packaging about the used fragrances.

— The consistency is dense, even, absorbed for a long time.

- / + According to reviews - the product is too oily for hair, but it suits the body perfectly - it makes the skin velvety, moisturized, and gives a fragrance that lasts for several hours.

- The manufacturer indicated that the oil should not be added to food.

9th place: Parachute, India 6/6

170 r. - 100 gr

Very popular due to its affordable price and last but not least - packaging from 100 ml to 1 liter. Packaged in a jar with a wide neck or a bottle of blue color with a notch in the form of a drop and a logo on the lid.

The oil is unrefined, not deodorized with a sweet aroma.

- Only suitable for the body.

Important. The package must have a sticker with Russian text about the composition, importer and method of application.

8th place: Tropicana, Thailand 7/7

2360 r. for 1 liter

100% pure, unrefined, cold-pressed oil in a clear plastic bottle or rectangular box with a dispenser.

The tool is easy to squeeze out of the jar.

The smell of real coconut, sweet, does not remain on the skin.

+/- The consistency is pleasant, in liquid form it is absorbed slowly. Therefore, it is best applied in a semi-solid state.

7th: Nutiva, USA 7/7

2255 r. - 1.6 l

This company is distinguished by strict control over finished products and raw materials. All oils meet the high standards set by the US Department of Agriculture. Therefore, Organic labels can be trusted. High quality Organic Extra Virgin oil - organic unrefined cold and first pressing.

The most useful, suitable for both the body and food.

Smells like coconut.

+/- The consistency is dense, crumbles in the hands into lumps that are quickly absorbed.

May be too oily for hair.

6th: Now Foods, USA 7/8

Cold pressed - 1891 p. for 591 ml, refined - 846 rubles. for 207 ml

Under this brand, not only organic products and superfoods are produced, but also two types of coconut oil:

Unrefined cold pressed oil is packaged in a 355 ml jar.

The protective film on the packaging will not allow the product to leak.

- The mass itself has a yellow tint and a light aroma of coconut.

It is easy to apply, the absorption rate is average, but the effect of moisturized skin remains for a long time.

Refined is sold in a heavy glass jar with an iron lid, volume 207 ml.

+/- Odorless, milky white color.

If the first - can be used for food, then the second, refined - only for external use.

5th place: Life Coco, Vietnam 8/8

260 r. for 250 ml

Cold-pressed oil in a plastic or glass bottle made of glass with a capacity of 250 ml. This cheap and high-quality oil has earned the love of customers.

There is an instruction in Russian.

Appetizing coconut scent.

It can be used for food and as a cosmetic.

It is well absorbed, moisturizes the skin, gives it a fragrance.

Suitable for hair.

4th place: Blossom, Thailand 8/9

390 r. - 100 ml

Packed in a plastic "washer", a jar, a bottle with a dispenser. Available in volumes of 100, 200, 400 ml.

Unrefined, non-deodorized, cold pressed.

The smell is subtle, sweetish, non-chemical.

Delicate texture, melting in the hands.

Easy to apply on both skin and hair.

Can be added to food.

3rd: All Good, Elemental Herbs, USA 8/10

857 r. - 222 ml

Another good edible oil. Unrefined, organic oil in a handy 222g glass washer jar.

The scent is subtle and fresh.

It is quickly rubbed in the hands and absorbed, leaving the skin moisturized for a long time.

Doesn't weigh hair down.

2nd place: Baraka, Sri Lanka 8/10

890 rub. - 500 ml

This is a well-known and time-tested brand. The manufacturer approached the packaging in a very original way. You can buy standard plastic and glass bottles, as well as portioned bags with 10g of the product or a canister of 5, 10 liters. The line includes refined and unrefined oils.

The smell is bright, without foreign impurities. Hue - depending on the type, from white to yellowish.

Consistency is uniform.

Unrefined cold-pressed oil can be cooked and added to food.

1st place: Artisana, USA 10/10

565 r. - 397 gr

Produces "raw" or unrefined organic cold-pressed coconut oil in a 397g glass jar.

Suitable for eating.

On the label there are marks of marks of quality and compliance with standards.

After removing the protective membrane in jars, you can feel a slight coconut smell.

The mass itself is white, dense consistency.

It is rubbed quickly, perfectly melts and is absorbed.

Doesn't make hair greasy.

Coconut oil is a wonderful protectant that nourishes hair and skin. Be sure to get this for your makeup bag. Among budget oils there are worthy rivals to expensive products. We hope this rating will help you choose the right one. Tell us about your experience with one of these oils in the comments.

Coconut oil is made from the so-called copra, the flesh of the coconut. At the same time, to produce one liter of coconut oil, you need the pulp of 30-40 nuts.
Coconut oil is presented on the market in large quantities, different brands, different countries of production, but at the same time, coconut oil produced in India and Thailand is considered classic.

Unrefined cold pressed coconut oil has an interesting natural feature. If the ambient temperature is +24 C and higher, it becomes liquid and transparent like water, if the temperature drops below +24 C, it becomes like vaseline.

Buy unrefined cold pressed coconut oil (500 ml) "BANNA" Coconut Oil 100% in OrganicThai Online Store from Thailand.

For a long time, coconut oil was not eaten, but in vain! After all, coconut oil does not contain cholesterol and contains only healthy fats. Taking 1 tablespoon of coconut oil 20 minutes before a meal will relieve your body of stress during the diet and speed up your metabolism.

Uses of unrefined cold pressed coconut oil:

Body care:

Cold pressed coconut oil from Winner Wash is very beneficial for the skin, it helps to moisturize, nourish the skin for a long time. Due to the content of lauric acid, the oil helps to smooth fine wrinkles on the skin and restores the natural color.

Hair care:

Coconut oil can prevent split ends and give your hair a healthy shine and radiance along the entire length. When applied to the hair, it forms a thin film on each hair. It is necessary to apply oil to the hair for 1-2 hours a couple of times a week, then rinse the hair twice with shampoo, the effect of such a mask will be noticeable after the first application.

Oral Care:

Cold-pressed Extra Virgin Coconut Oil helps cleanse the mouth of harmful bacteria and has whitening properties. This is due to the contact of oil acids with tooth enamel. To do this, rinse the mouth for 5-15 minutes a day, repeating several times a week.

For cooking food:

Coconut oil has a sweet taste and amazing aroma, which will certainly become a highlight for the preparation of confectionery and add spice to salads and meat or fish dishes.

In order to understand which coconut oil to choose for food, one must at least in general terms understand the technology of its production.

There are two main ways to obtain oil:

2. extraction.

SPIN- this is when crushed coconut copra is pressed under pressure. If the copra is not preheated, such an extraction is called cold (according to international terminology - Extra Virgin). If it heats up, the spin is called hot.

EXTRACTION- this is when the feedstock is poured with gasoline or hexane so that the oil goes into solution, and then the gasoline or hexane is evaporated. Most of the refined vegetable oil sold in our stores is obtained in this way.

Oil obtained by any of these methods may be:

1. unrefined,

2. refined.

UNREFINED oil - filtered only from mechanical impurities. All additional substances (phosphatides (lecithin), waxes, free fatty acids, vitamins, water, etc.) remain. They give the oil its taste and smell. The biological value of such oil is higher than that of refined oil.

But unrefined coconut oil can only be heated to 137-177 degrees (read the manufacturer's description in each case), that is, you can fry it only on low and medium heat.

REFINED- goes through several stages of mechanical and physical purification, as a result of which the oil is neutralized to taste and clarified.

Is this oil good? Yes, because the medium chain triglycerides that make coconut oil so prized stay put. But its biological value is lower than that of unrefined oil due to the partial loss of other useful substances during the refining process.

Refined coconut oil can be used for medium to high heat cooking.

I divided coconut oil on iHerb into 3 groups:

1. unrefined cold pressed,

2. refined cold pressed,

3. refined, in which the pressing method (cold or hot) is not indicated.

The following options were excluded from the review:

Those in which the method of obtaining is not known;

Those not labeled "no trans fat" or "non-hydrogenated";

Those that come in combination with coconut flakes, that is, they are essentially coconut paste, although they are called "butter" on the site.

In each group, I ranked the coconut oil in ascending order of price (cheapest to most expensive). The price was indicated in dollars at the rate of 30 ml / g, excluding discounts.

Thus, if while reading this article a promotion is going on for some brand from the list (as, for example, at the time of publication of this material - 20% on Nutiva) - you need to subtract the discount from the price that I give.

1. UNREFINED, COLD PRESSED (Extra Virgin)

Healthy Origins, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, 54 oz (1.503 g) - 22.05 - 0.44

Now Foods, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, 54 fl oz (1.6 L) - 28.49 - 0.53

Healthy Origins, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 29 oz (822 g) - 14.99 - 0.55

Jarrow Formulas, Highly Refined Natural Coconut Oil, 32 oz (946g) - 18.44 - 0.58

Now Foods, Organic Natural Coconut Oil, 20 fl oz (591 ml) - 11.48 - 0.59

Healthy Origins, Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 16 oz (454 g) - 8.81 - 0.59

Nutiva, Organic Coconut Oil, Virgin, 23 fl oz (680 ml) - 13.75 - 0.61

Nutiva, Natural Refined Coconut Oil, 29 fl oz (858 ml) - 17.7 - 0.62

Jungle Products, Coconut Oil, 14 oz (397 g) - 8.73 - 0.66

Nutiva, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, 54 fl oz (1.6 L) - 35.02 - 0.66

Spectrum Naturals, Organic Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil, Unrefined, 14 fl oz (414 ml) - 8.9 (Please note max heat is 137 degrees Celsius) - 0.65

Nutiva, Nutiva, Nurture Vitality, Coconut Oil, Cold Pressed, 15 fl oz (444 ml) - 9.95 - 0.67

Nutiva, Organic Superfood, Coconut Oil, Virgin, 15 fl oz (444 ml) - 9.94 - 0.67

Earth Circle Organics, Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Oil, 16 oz (454 g) - 11.08 - 0.73

Nature's Way, Organic Coconut Oil, 16 oz (454 g) - 11.14 - 0.74