COCONUT BUTTER + COCONUT OIL — CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE®

Information updated January 2024

There are multiple coconut-based food products popping up in the market every day.

Let’s take a look at the difference between Coconut Oil and Coconut Butter.

WHAT IS COCONUT OIL?

Coconut oil is the oil extracted from the white of the coconuts >> kernels technically known as ‘copra’. Coconut Oil is primarily saturated fat.

Many oil extraction processes require chemicals and/or solvents.

The better-for-you extraction methods are those which do not use chemicals or solvents >> cold-pressed or expeller-pressed. However, according to Dr. Cate Shanahan, author of Deep Nutrition, “Even expeller-pressed oils undergo numerous processing steps.”

LEARN MORE ABOUT OIL FROM DR. CATE

Closest To Homemade® COCONUT OILS

Seen below, the Closest To Homemade brands do not use solvents or chemicals for oil extraction and have no additional additives. These include Dr. Bronner’s Non-GMO Project Verified and Organic Virgin White Kernel + Whole Kernel; UK-based The Coconut Company Organic; Wildly Organic Non-GMO Project Verified Refined and Virgin Unrefined, and Terrasoul Superfoods Non-GMO Project Verified and Organic Extra Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil. (Sources: Brand Web sites 1/24)

*Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list*

IDEAL COCONUT OIL STORAGE

Keep oils in the refrigerator for best preservation and slowest oxidation >> the more the oil is exposed to oxygen, the faster it will turn bad. Due to its high saturated fat content, coconut oil is slower to oxidize than, say, olive oil, but coconut oil (like all oils) will ultimately oxidize to the point of being rancid + unhealthy.

To use the refrigerated solidified oil, simply warm up the cold jar in a bowl or cup of hot water and allow the amount needed to liquify. Then return the unused portion to the fridge for safest storage.

WHAT IS COCONUT BUTTER?

Coconut butter is the flesh of the coconut puréed into a spreadable paste.

Closest To Homemade COCONUT BUTTERS

Seen below, the Closest To Homemade brands include Nutiva Organic Non-GMO Project Verified Coconut Manna; Coconut Kitchen Naked Coconut Butter made with Organic Coconut; Artisana Organics Non-GMO Project Verified Raw Coconut Butter; MaraNatha Non-GMO Project Verified Coconut Butter, and Biona Organic Coconut Bliss. (Sources: Brand Web sites 1/24)

IDEAL COCONUT BUTTER STORAGE

Similar to natural Peanut Butters, the oil in natural Coconut Butters may separate into a thin layer in the top of the container. Simply mix the oil into the base before using. If you fully stir the two layers together when they are at room temperature and then refrigerate, the butter will stay mixed together.

Ideally, keep these types of butters in the fridge (just like dairy butter) >> the cold and reduced oxygen keep them fresher longer.

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