Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Does your coconut oil stay liquid? Or does it solidify? I ordered some from Tropical Traditions and got the really good gold label stuff. One of the containers leaked a bit and I contacted them, but they said it would be fine. Now it has "flakes" floating in it. Is it bad? Or is it just solidifying a little? All the other coconut oils I've seen have been solid so I'm confused. The other non-leaking containers are totally liquid.

flag	asked Jul 4 at 0:10 AmyLea 51●4

relax, it's fine. – aseafish Jul 4 at 2:57

Coconut oil melts at 76 degrees F. At exactly 76 degrees F it will be a bit flaky. It is a very sharp dividing line between solid and liquid. You are experiencing no problem whatsoever. – bachcole Jul 4 at 3:50

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I wouldn't call coconut oil's melting point sharp. Mine has a rather broad 5-8 degree semi-solid melting point range. – Matt Jul 4 at 17:44

kaiulini · Answer 1 · 2012-07-04 00:55:22Z UTC

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The melting point of coconut oil is 76 degrees F. So depending on the temperature of your home or where it's stored, it will be either solid, liquid, or a combination, like in my house where we keep the temperature at 78. One challenge when baking with coconut oil is that if you add it as an oil to a cold liquid, it almost instantly solidifies in to chunks! The first time I tried to make pancakes with it and added it to the cold milk I was totally stymied and had these chunks that did not mix well!

Even if you have it slightly solid and want to use it to cook, just add a glob and it will melt and work just the same as when it's liquid!

Good luck :)

answered Jul 4 at 0:55

kaiulini

community wiki

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First person actually to state the melting point... kudos :) – Neil Jul 4 at 1:37

It's a broad melting point, saying that it goes completely from solid to liquid at 76F isn't true, in my experience. – Matt Jul 4 at 17:46

It is a mixture of triglycerides, so it makes sense that some melt at lower temperatures than others, so you end up with a semi-solid melting range. – Matt Jul 4 at 17:47

well it's similar to water, it's melting point is 32F but it doesn't instantly turn to liquid when the temp goes above 32. It takes a while for it to all liquify/solidify :) In my big 32oz jar, it melts at the top and round the edges, or it'll melt on the side closest to the stove but still be solid on the far side of the jar. :) It's always fun to watch where it's solid and where it's liquid. – kaiulini Jul 8 at 14:49

Karin · Answer 2 · 2012-07-04 00:24:52Z UTC

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First off, if you live in a very warm climate, yes, it will be liquid...I live in Seattle and even in "summer" (and I use the term loosely) it is hardi souls sim the flakes off and see if they're just oil bits. I buy all my oil from TT and they've always been great. If you're not convinced that it's just coconut solidifying I'd be sure to call them back but I'm guessing that's what it is. Maybe put it in the fridge and see if it all hardens the asme.

answered Jul 4 at 0:24

Karin
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Wow...iPad glitch! I meant it stays hard and skim the bits – Karin Jul 4 at 0:26

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I thought you were talking like a pirate :). – Happy Now Jul 4 at 0:39

Karin what/where is TT? Maybe you meant TJ (Trader Joes). I ask because I too am in Seattle! – Crowlover Jul 4 at 2:12

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TT=Tropical Traditions as referred to in the original post, I believe. (Another shout out from Seattle here also!) – Ruth90 Jul 4 at 2:27

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Yes, tropical traditions! And specifically I live in Poulsbo! – Karin Jul 4 at 3:45

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Missi · Answer 3 · 2012-07-04 00:28:03Z UTC

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It's liquid in warmer temperatures and solid in cold. Both are normal. I wouldn't keep a leaky container though, sounds damaged to me.

answered Jul 4 at 0:28

Missi
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Rob · Answer 4 · 2012-07-04 00:26:37Z UTC

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Mine is rock hard at room temp (it's winter here), but it doesn't take much heat for it to turn to liquid.

answered Jul 4 at 0:26

Rob
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KA24 · Answer 5 · 2012-07-04 00:47:29Z UTC

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It literally changes day to day here. If we turn down the air conditioning or it gets really hot, the coconut oil is liquid. I usually stick it in the fridge and it's fine. After a few melts and freezes, it does become a bit flake and more of a coarse texture, but that's normal.

answered Jul 4 at 0:47

KA24
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Yep, me too. Some days it's liquid and some days it's not. LOL, it could replace mercury in a thermometer. – Chinaeskimo Jul 4 at 2:18

raydawg · Answer 6 · 2012-07-04 16:09:49Z UTC

It's fine. As long as it's either clear liquid or solid white, no worries. If you're not sure, put the jar in warm water (say 80F or higher) for a few hours depending on the size of the jar, should be very nice and clear, maybe slightly yellow when melted.

If you see weird colors in it, say black streaks, it's gone bad, and throw the whole thing out.

MiMintzer · Answer 7 · 2012-07-04 18:11:11Z UTC

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I'm always suspect of any container that's damaged. You also don't know if anything got into your container. I say get it replaced.

answered Jul 4 at 18:11

MiMintzer
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Coconut oil question

7 Answers