Coconut Oil Questions:

What is Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) and why has it been called 'the healthiest oil on earth'?

Virgin coconut oil is unrefined oil extracted from fresh coconuts. It is not refined, bleached or deodorised (RBD).

Virgin coconut oil does not contain any trans fatty acids or cholesterol and is stable at high temperatures. Virgin coconut oil is known as a lauric oil, due to its high quantities of lauric acid, or an MCT oil due to its high proportion of medium-chain triglycerides. When synthesized in the body, lauric acid becomes monolaurin, which is also found in mother's milk. Monolaurin is known to build the immune system and prevent disease. The medium-chain fatty acids found in virgin coconut oil have been shown to be digested quickly within the body, converting into energy rather than fat. Because of this, many people find they have more energy and lose weight more easily. Millions of people use coconut oil as a skin moisturiser and conditioner for their hair, invariably in countries where people have the most beautiful skin and strong, silky hair. There is an abundance of information in books and on the internet about the health properties of this most amazing oil.

How do I take the oil?

In the Philippines it is commonly taken by the spoonful, researchers recommend 2 to 3 tablespoons a day. Use it for cooking, simply replace your other cooking oil with VCO.....your food will taste so much better.

Since VCO solidifies when the temperature drops below 76f, it can be used to replace butter or margarine. Try it on crackers or jacket potatoes.

Is all Virgin Coconut Oil the same?

There are a variety of different production and packaging methods which can affect the quality and nutritional content. The geographical origin, maturity and freshness of the coconuts can also make a difference. Many terms are used to describe virgin coconut oils, eg. cold-pressed, cold-processed, raw, organic, ANH, expeller-pressed, centrifuged. Not all terms apply to all oils and any claim should be properly backed up.

What's the difference between cold-pressed and cold-processed?

'Cold-pressed' means that at the time of pressing, the oil was cold. It doesn't say whether heat was used at some point before the pressing or after the pressing. Therefore, cold-pressed doesn't necessarily mean raw. Cold-processed means the oil has been produced without the use of heat, not even a small amount of heat, from start to finish. ANH means Absolutely No Heat which is another term for cold-processed oils.

Why don't you supply "Extra virgin"?

What is it? Even the people who sell it don't know. It is just a marketing strategy (used to great effect by companies in the Philippines and the US), to try and convince the buyer that their oil offers something other oils don't. "Extra virgin" is a term borrowed from the olive oil industry, where there are distinct differences between virgin olive oil and extra virgin olive oil; this is definitely not the situation with VCO.

Maybe we should call our oil, Coconutty Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.......would it be honest and ethical?

Is your coconut oil RAW?

Some say that coconut oil can not be raw because 1) it is heated in hot hulls of ships sailing through the tropics, 2) the sun heats the coconuts on the trees, 3) heat has to be used to kill the enzymes to increase shelf life, or 4) the flesh has to be heat-dried before pressing or packing?

Companies who sell non-raw coconut oil say lots of things to justify it. Hopefully we can explain these points one by one. 1) Raw bananas and kiwi fruits can be found sailing through the tropics quite happily - they are still raw when they reach the UK. 2) Coconuts are a natural refrigerator and the coconut tree a living thing- the flow of water and nutrients through the branches, coupled with an insulating husk, mean that anyone having the pleasure of cracking one open is rewarded with a cool fresh drink of coconut water, even on a scorching hot Philippine day. 3) Shelf-life: Raw honey and raw nuts are not heated and they have very long shelf lives. Enzymes are not an issue as coconut oil does not contain enzymes, so heat is not required to kill them. 4) Our VCO is never heat dried at any stage. Before pressing, the fresh coconut gratings are gathered in a net and placed into a manual press. Before packing, moisture is given time to naturally dissipate, rather than being heat blasted. Please see our manufacturer's video on our front page here.

Why don't all virgin coconut oil manufacturers use the raw, cold-process method?

The simple answer is time. It is a labour-intensive operation, where most of the work is done by hand.

Why is VCO 'better than butter' (or margarine)?

Unlike butter, VCO does not contain cholesterol. Unlike margarine, VCO does not contain trans-fats. An added benefit is that VCO is made up of medium-chain fatty acids which are known to be easily and more quickly digested than the long-chain fatty acids found in butter, margarine and even olive oil.

Is it advisable to use coconut oil for cooking?

Yes! Because coconut oil is 92% naturally saturated, this makes it a very stable and safe cooking oil. It's a perfect replacement to animal fats. You could say it is 'the animal fat for vegetarians', with the added bonus of being cholesterol free. Coconut oil is less prone to breakdown and oxidisation than other vegetable oils at high temperatures, due to its higher saturation content. Although the most nutrients are to be had in raw form, for example as a cold spread, off the spoon or in smoothies, when it comes to cooking we believe there is no better oil to use.

Will my food taste of coconut when I use it as a cooking oil?

Just as olive oil lends a slight taste of olives, so virgin coconut oil lends a slight taste of coconuts. If you wish to get rid of the taste, here's a tip: before adding ingredients, leave the coconut oil on a low heat for two to three minutes and as if by magic the flavour will disappear.

Does the oil need to be refigerated, and what is the shelf life?

No. It can be stored at ambient room temperature. The oil will liquefy on warm days as temperatures rise above 24 degrees C. but this is perfectly normal. In the Philippines, the oil is almost always a liquid, hence it is generally referred to as ‘coconut oil' rather than ‘coconut butter'. Maybe in the UK we should call it coconut butter. The shelf life is approximately 18 months. Even after the jar is opened, it will last several months providing it is kept in a dry place.

Why don't you sell VCO in capsule form?

Are there people that actually buy these?........Obviously there are!!!

Let's do the maths:

1 tablespoon = 14 grams
1 capsule = half a gram

Therefore 1 tablespoon = 28 capsules.

Daily usage of two tablespoons = 56 capsules per day!

Is coconut oil the same as ‘MCT oil' used by athletes and as a weight management tool?

MCT stands for Medium-Chain Triglycerides. MCT oil is often derived from coconut oil, albeit refined coconut oil. It is sold as an energy boosting supplement, more readily digestible than other oils. We recommend anyone using MCT oil to try the more natural equivalent - Virgin Coconut Oil.

Why is your Coconut Oil the best?

As an independent importer, we could choose from any number of suppliers. After careful research, we believe the finest coconut oil on the planet comes from the award-winning Philippine producer, CocoVida. We chose CocoVida for several reasons. Their production process is 100% transparent meaning they show the complete process from tree to jar and have given us permission to show the footage on our front page. Many coconut oil companies we initially considered wouldn't tell us (or didn't know) where their coconuts came from. Cocovida's production facility is based in one of the most pristine environments on earth - Eastern Samar, Philippines (click here for map). The coconut palms have never seen pesticides or fertilisers and the coconuts are picked at exactly the right time - precisely when they reach a peak level of lauric and other medium chain fats.  The coconut oil that arrives in your jar is fresh and raw from the first pressing. No heat is applied at any stage - it is not extracted with heat nor is it dried with heat. Producers using this cold-process method call it ANH standing for 'Absolutely No Heat'. They believe that only unheated oil in its natural raw state is true virgin oil with all of the phytonutrients and anti-oxidants still intact. As is the case with raw honey and raw nuts, raw coconut oil has a long shelf life - the 'best-before' is approx. 18 months. Lastly, Cocovida are a genuine team who take pride and passion in what they do and wholeheartedly support sustainability. They are currently working with the CIDA as part of an Aid Project to create employment in Dolores and the surrounding areas. Their work and employment ethics go beyond fair-trade toward 'equi-trade' as the full product range (inc. soaps and body oils) is not only produced, but also packaged and labelled in the country of origin, creating local employment and helping the local economy. The CEO of Cocovida, Mel Learmouth, is well respected in the coconut industry, being regularly invited to give speeches at the Philippine Coconut Authority. (Check our Blog for further details). The largest coconut oil producing country in the world has not overlooked Cocovida; they've been awarded "Best Virgin Coconut Oil Manufacturer in the Philippines" in 2006 and "Most Outstanding Virgin Cococonut Oil Manufacturer" 2007 National Awards. Tests and lab analysis of the coconut oil are regularly carried out and reports published to ensure the consistently high level of natural lauric acid content (54-55%).

Where can I buy your products?

We're based near Leeds and supply primarily the UK. You can visit the Coconutty stall, coming to all good health shows (in the North of England). Please see the list of forthcoming dates on the main page. Or you can order products on-line with free delivery at http://www.coconutty.co.uk/ or telephone us on 01924 825681 or 07813 319847.

How can I be guaranteed online security?

All transactions are processed through Paypal's secure servers. We don't ever see any cards details.

Why promote natural and organic coconut products?

We believe that we are exposed to too many chemicals and toxins in today's everyday items. Read the labels on most food or skin care products and then try and pronounce half of the ingredients! Coconutty promotes 'back to basics' nutrition and skin care. We do not and never will sell products containing the synthetic chemicals commonly found in everyday commercial products. Virgin coconut oil is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral, making it a natural preservative. Which means our coconut-rich products don't need artificial preservatives, fillers, plasticisers, animal or petrolium derivitives.

The coconut's uses are endless and its health benefits abundant. That is why we are Coco-Nutty.

"No illness which can be treated by diet, should be treated by any other means" - Moses Maimonides, The Great 12th Century Physician.

"Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine And Thy Medicine Be Thy Food" -- Hippocrates, 460-377  BC

If you have any questions which have not been answered here, please feel free to contact us by clicking here. We will always take time to reply, although it may take a day or two.

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