Coconut Oil Question

[housewolf]

I'm real new to the use of coconut oil, and I recently made my first purchase at Whole Foods of Jarrow Formula's Coconut Oil, "Suitable for cooking" the label reads. Brown plastic 16 oz container, expensive.

Only thing is, this isn't an "oil" as I'm used to the term. It's solid, like Crisco, only way more so. It's so hard I can't get a spoon into it. The only way I've been able to use it is to soften it in the microwave, in it's plastic container.

For you folks who have used coconut oil - is this it's normal consistency? How do you get it to work for you? What do you use it for?

Thanks for any info... I've had it sitting here for a few weeks now, kinda stumped.

[hippywife]

1. I have no personal experience with this, but

maybe this site can help? I just googled solid coconut oil. :hug:

http://www.coconutoil-online.com/Recipes_and_Tips_for_Using_Coconut_Oil.html

[japple]

2. I got some at Kroger in the "natural foods" section, and it is very much

like you described, although not as hard. I could get a spoon in it. I sauteed onions and other vegetables in it to make a curried soup, IIRC. The main reason I bought it, though, was to use to soften my cracked heels and lubricate my scaly skin. Even after holding it in my hands to melt it, it was greasy and didn't penetrate as well as jojoba oil, which is what I'm using now.

[trud]

8. jappie

Try (for the heels and skin, not eating :-) Neutrogena Fragrance-Free Norwegian Hand cream. Now that I'm ancient, I use it as a body lotion. For hands and feet, it works best applied before you go to bed so it has a chance to really sink in.

[SammyWinstonJack]

12. Thanks for the tip.

:hi:

[Lucinda]

3. I leave mine on the counter and depending on how cool the room is

it's either solid or soft. It will liquefy if it gets warm enough too. Thats all normal. I prefer the organic coconut oil - not the refined stuff...but it's all beneficial. The organic unrefined stuff has a gentle smell - like buttered movie popcorn - and I have been told it was why popcorn used to be so great in the theatre.


I sometimes fry with it. I use it as a moisturizer, a lip balm, and have been even known to spread it on warm bread, or just grab a spoonful and swallow. I was just reading it has antihistamine properties too...so I tried a big spoonful last night since I was out of Benadryl. Worked well!

It's also great for oil pulling, and for using as a toothpaste.

AND if you tend to have low body temp or cold hands and feet it was also help with that. It has thermogenic properties.

I'm a HUGE fan of coconut oil, I use it daily. If you research it a little, you'll see its got a lot of benefits. Sort of in the superfood category. GREAT stuff, I just don't cook with it a lot. :hi:

[Warpy]

4. It should partially liquefy in warm temperatures

above 85F. It should be fully liquid when the ambient temperature is in the low 90s.

If you're keeping it in the fridge, it's going to be hard as a rock.

[yellerpup]

5. Coconut oil is great for high-temperature frying

because it doesn't become mono-saturated at high temps the way olive oil does. I use it a lot to create Thai specialities, especially if I am adding coconut milk--it boosts the flavor. I buy it by the gallon and keep it at room temperature. I've used it in baking as well on an experimental basis and it adds a nice subtle flavor. Also, I keep a vial of it in the bath to apply to myself at the end of a shower (just before the end, actually, rub it on then rinse off the excess). It moisturizes skin very well. The jar I just ordered that was shipped in icy weather is still solid. I don't know if it loses its nutritional value (supposedly really good to boost your immune system) when microwaved, but when I need it liquefied I set it in a sunbeam or, in a pinch, on the back of the stove where the pilot light does all the work.

[housewolf]

9. Yellowpup, where in the world

do you find it in gallon containers?

Obviously not Whole Foods markets!

I haven't looked online, but imagine the shipping would be quite expensive.

There's a Cash&Carry food wholesaler no far away, I could check there, would be surprised if I found it there.

Don't suppose it's something Costco carries...

Maybe a local food co-op? Or maybe they could order it from their supplier?

[yellerpup]

10. First, I goofed. It's 54 fl. oz. (1.59 liters)

which is not quite 1/2 Gal, I think. I order online from http://www.vitacost.com -- a place where I have been ordering supplements since 2006. The quality they offer is very high and shipping for anything is only $4.99 per order for regular mail and they ship promptly. I have never had a problem with anything I have ordered for them that they wouldn't refund, take back, etc., if it wasn't the right thing.

The price for Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil/54 oz. is $19.99, which I think is a fantastic price. I couldn't buy cheap, chemical body moisturizer for that price in that amount, much less a substance so pure that you can eat it as well. :hi:

[housewolf]

13. Oh my gosh, what teriffic prices!

They're selling same brand/size of coconut oil that I bought at Whole Foods, Vitacost.com is selling for 50% (or more) less than what I paid at WF, 16 oz size. Your 54 oz jar is only twice as much as my 16 oz jar! And free shipping for orders over $50 through tomorrow... hmmmmmm, need to do some more exploring on the site to see what other bargains I might find there. Thanks for the info!

[yellerpup]

14. I've enjoyed their quality and prices.

If you need to bump yourself up in small increments to get to $50 mark, check out the bath soaps. I love the glycerine based soaps but they have lots of great products so you should find about anything you need for cheap. I put in my order for coconut oil after it was featured as a superfood on Dr. Ox last week. Get ready for the price to spike. In the meantime, enjoy your I bargain! :fistbump:

[yellerpup]

11. Dupe. Delete.

[Denninmi]

6. Well, that's all very interesting.

Something else I'll have to try.

I've never used it -- I always thought it had a bad rap because it's high in saturated fats, and they use it in a lot of junk food -- but, they're probably using hydrogenated coconut oil, not as nature made it.

I learn the best things on this forum. Thanks!

[yellerpup]

7. It is high in saturated fats but has 0 cholesterol.

Plus, your skin will love it. ;-)

[AC_Mem]

15. Coconut Oil and cooking

Hi there! I use coconut oil for both cooking and personal care. As far as it being hard, i just take my spoon and kind of "shave" i across until I get my spoonfuls. If you let it sit ut for a bit it tends to soften up alot.

I use it in alot of dishes in place of regular cooking oil and/or butter - experiment and enjoy!

Annette