Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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So I've been getting my coconut oil from Nuts Online. It's the raw variety: http://www.nutsonline.com/nuts/coconut/oil.html . After months of denial I've finally admitted to myself that I can't stand it. It has a soapy aftertaste that's just... ugh.

What are good alternatives to raw oil? Far as I understand, there's the virgin oil that tastes and smells like coconuts - is it same as raw, or is it somehow different? Does refined oil have any taste or smell? Do any of them have a funny aftertaste? Which one should I get if I don't want my veggies to smell and taste like coconut? Which has the most health benefits?

edited May 4 2012 at 12:11

tdgor
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asked Jul 2 2011 at 20:08

BeastGirl
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I use Spectrum brand organic coconut oil (not virgin) better for high heat cooking, and NO coconut taste!!! – Tim Jul 2 2011 at 23:52

Omega Nutrition brand, not the virgin which has the coconut taste. – Richard N Jul 4 2011 at 13:18

My coconut oil doesn't taste soapy at all : that's just because yours is probably lower quality. I heard a lot of good things about nutiva, but I didn't test it myself because I get my coconut oil for free. – Korion Nov 4 2011 at 14:55

use the one that is processed with no aflatoxins. – The Quilt Nov 4 2011 at 16:16

being · Answer 1 · 2011-07-02 20:34:31Z UTC

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i get the nutivia from vitacost. the price is great and i dont like using any refined oils if i can avoid it. there is coconut flavor to it, but if i dont want that taste, i use ghee or lard.

answered Jul 2 2011 at 20:34

being
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	Mine didn't really have a coconut taste... More like I felt like I'd washed my mouth out with soap after eating it. Maybe that's just the raw stuff? – BeastGirl Jul 3 2011 at 1:24
	i dont kno...to be honest, the nutivia and spectrum are the only brands ive tried. spectrum had a weird metalic taste or soemthing. i just didnt like it. so i moved it to my bathroom and just use it on my skin and hair, and i cook with nutivia. neither one is raw though, si i dont know if that feeling youre getting is because yours is raw, or something else. i would definitely shop around though. coconut oil isnt my most favorite thing ever, but it should be gross. – being Jul 3 2011 at 1:43

Katherine · Answer 2 · 2011-07-02 21:24:10Z UTC

If you want tasteless coconut oil my favorite is Jarrow Expeller pressed:

http://www.iherb.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Coconut-Oil-Expeller-Pressed-16-oz-454-g/2506?at=0

coupon code CIL457 can be used for $5 off if it's your first order.

My favorite Extra Virgin Coconut oil is Nutiva which i get at iherb or whatever place I'm ordering from when I need it.

HeatherC · Answer 3 · 2011-07-02 20:15:31Z UTC

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I like the refined oil for cooking, it does not taste like anything to me, I fry ground beef in it and everything. My kid would definitely let me know if it had any coconut taste.

answered Jul 2 2011 at 20:15

HeatherC
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So would mine... And he hates coconut to boot! – BeastGirl Jul 3 2011 at 1:24

Matt · Answer 4 · 2011-07-02 20:30:19Z UTC

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Refined coconut oil has no taste or smell, at least in my experience with the Luanna brand. I'm trying out Nutiva now and that's definitely coconut-y. That flavor works with somethings, not others. I personally think the whole cold-pressed extra virgin idea is rather pointless and mostly hype.

answered Jul 2 2011 at 20:30

Matt
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	I tend to agree. Refined sounds better and better. – BeastGirl Jul 3 2011 at 1:23
	4 months in and I'm really liking the Nutiva stuff. I'm desensitized to the coconut-y flavor. – Matt Nov 4 2011 at 18:25

Jack Kronk · Answer 5 · 2011-07-02 21:31:28Z UTC

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We usually get Nutiva unrefined.

Amazon.com has the best deals, especially if you get the 54oz container.

Right now the 54oz is $20.44 plus $0.99 shipping.

But sometimes it's even better than than.

A few days ago I ordered a 2 pack of the 54oz for $36 total with free shipping, which is completely ridiculous. But that deal is over now.

I have also ordered Tropical Traditions Gold Label many times, but it's too rare to find a deal good enough to compete with the Nutiva prices on Amazon.

answered Jul 2 2011 at 21:31

Jack Kronk
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	Does it ever go bad? That is a great deal, but 108 oz is a lot of oil to go through... – BeastGirl Jul 3 2011 at 1:27
	we'll go through it long before it goes bad. coconut oil is very shelf stable. i think this 2 pack will last us about 3 months or so because we use ghee as well. – Jack Kronk Jul 3 2011 at 4:29
	Coconut oil lasts years on the shelf. – James Nov 4 2011 at 19:08
	But I'd definitely recommend making sure you like the brand/taste before buying that much... – James Nov 4 2011 at 19:08
	i love nutiva and use tons of it, like a 54oz tub/ month. it has a shelf life of about 2 years though – mloster Nov 5 2011 at 8:32

show 1 more comment

Pierce Inverarity · Answer 6 · 2011-07-03 20:20:04Z UTC

I use virgin coconut oil when I want that coconut taste (eg in a Thai dish), but in most cases I'd prefer not to have the coconut taste. So for these cases I also have the refined stuff, which is flavorless. I use the refined coconut oil a lot more often, eg frying eggs in it each morning.

I use Spectrum for the refined coconut oil. Spectrum also has Virgin coconut oil but it's not as good as Nutiva. (Those are the only brands I've tried thus far)

So to sum up:

Spectrum refined coconut oil for when I don't want coconut flavor (which is most of the time)
Nutiva virgin coconut oil for when I do

As far as health benefits: Paul Jaminet of Perfect Health Diet (who is a big coconut oil proponent) said in his blog somewhere that refined coconut oil is made up of the same MCT's as virgin, and therefore should have all the same health benefits.

Lars · Answer 7 · 2011-07-02 21:06:36Z UTC

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I really like the tropical tradition's gold label coconut oil. It sure tastes much coconut, but in a good way :)

If you like something less tasty, you can try the expeller pressed one.

No, I do not wok for them. Just a happy customer!

answered Jul 2 2011 at 21:06

Lars
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I've been eyeing the Tropical Traditions store. I think I'll give them a try! Thanks! – BeastGirl Jul 3 2011 at 1:25

Joan · Answer 8 · 2011-07-03 18:57:31Z UTC

I've actually had better luck with TT's green label virgin CO, I tried the gold label but to me it had that "soapy" aftertaste while the green label tasted just coconutty. I also like Nutiva a lot. Those are the only 2 I can personally recommend. I like the coconut flavor and lots of it, can't deal with the soapy taste.

Jamie · Answer 9 · 2011-07-03 20:28:27Z UTC

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I love the coconut taste and now strictly used virgin for everything. Ground beef and eggs cooked in virgin is amazing. I use mostly the Whole Foods store brand.

answered Jul 3 2011 at 20:28

Jamie
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	Is virgin and raw the same thing? – BeastGirl Jul 3 2011 at 20:53
	Good question and unfortunately not one I know the answer to. – Jamie Jul 5 2011 at 0:33
	There is no standard in the coconut oil industry for the words "virgin" or "raw." Companies set their own standards. – Talldog May 4 2012 at 13:31

Michael · Answer 10 · 2011-07-03 22:12:14Z UTC

You can get refined coconut oil that hasn't been bleached or deodorized. That is best for most cooking when you don't want the coconut taste or smell. Still the same benefits.

Otherwise I would go with a fermented brand of coconut oil which is how coconut oil has traditionally been prepared. The centrifuged raw coconut oil is just a modern day fad and might possibly explain the health problems some people are having with consuming coconut oil.

Personally I prefer using coconut milk in dishes that call for it and then using another animal based oil for cooking, frying and generally eschewing straight coconut oil for cooking all together.

Can anyone say lard? LOL

Maxime Roy · Answer 11 · 2011-11-04 14:46:04Z UTC

Nutiva's Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (cold-pressed & unrefined) is listed at $23.43 for 54oz/1.6l at link text. Use the coupon "SWAN77" and get 10% on the entire order.

Total (with discount) $84.35 for 216oz/13.5 pounds/1.6 US gallons/6.38 liters.

That is around 6.24$ per pound.

Enjoy your healthy fat cheaply !

James · Answer 12 · 2011-11-04 19:20:48Z UTC

I haven't encountered the soapy taste before, but supposedly it's due to the lauric acid content. One possible solution mentioned was mixing in a bit of baking soda, but I haven't seen anyone saying it worked for them.

On the oil side, Basic idea for these things is straightforward. Raw/Virgin comes from fresh coconuts with little processing (maybe a little pressure on the coconut meat to get out the oils). Refined comes from older coconut that's been sitting around for a while. They use high heat/chemicals to wring as much oil out as possible, then bleach and deodorize it to be palatable.

see · Answer 13 · 2011-11-05 05:34:17Z UTC

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You can get Nutiva at Winner's Homesense..... maybe that's only in Canada though?

It is yummy, especially on baked sweet potatoes!

answered Nov 5 2011 at 5:34

see
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Jonas · Answer 14 · 2011-11-05 09:52:20Z UTC

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I've heard Barlean's coconut oil is pretty good.

answered Nov 5 2011 at 9:52

Jonas
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Stainless steel shafts · Answer 15 · 2012-05-04 11:31:13Z UTC

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I use refined oil for cooking.it has no smell and taste.Infect i feel very happy eat food which is cooked in refined oil.I think this the best oil for cook.I used coconut hair oil to nourish my hairs and i think it smells very bad.

answered May 4 2012 at 11:31

Stainless steel shafts
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Talldog · Answer 16 · 2012-05-04 13:24:02Z UTC

I've been making an effort to eliminate any oil that was produced using a chemical extraction method. Unfortunately, coconut oil is often extracted using chemical solvents. Hexane (a component of gasoline) is commonly used as a solvent in coconut oil extraction.

To be honest, I don't know if this is a health risk or not, but my gut feeling is to avoid it.

Topical Traditions, I believe, does offer a pressed only (non-chemical extracted) oil, but I'm pretty sure most of their oils are the result of a chemical extraction process.

Which coconut oil?

16 Answers