cooking with Coconut oil?

ChanyRae

Hey everyone.....kind of a silly question here!

I've been reading about the health benefits of cooking with coconut oil. When I was at the bulk store, I seen it was kind of expensive for a jar of it. Before I go and buy it.....just wondering how does the food taste with it?? I don't use much oil, just a little to sautee veggies for fajitas or stirfrys. Just wondering if it puts a sweet or strong taste into the food? Or is it similar to Olive Oil?

Thanks!

Justforthebacon

It is great to cook with. I use it everyday in the morning for my eggs. It does not have a coconut taste. No sweet taste at all. I buy the organic jar from the bulk barn (Canada).

DenverKos

Im curious what others have to say - I have some and used it to cook with and it did have a slight coconut taste to it. It wasn't at all sweet, and it wasn't overwhelming, but it was there. It has made me worried to try cooking things like eggs in it!

3dogsrunning

I think there are two different types, one has more of a coconut taste than the other. I don't really know so i am hoping someone who does will chime in.

ETA - I believe the virgin coconut oil has a coconut taste whereas coconut oil does not.

Workin4it

I had a friend cook a choc cake with it instead of veggie oil and it was very good, i thought it had much more flavor.

3dogsrunning

I found this on Yahoo answers (not a great source but this answer does seem like what was explained to me)

"The first type is a virgin "unrefined" coconut oil. It smells and tastes like coconuts. Some people say it is healthier, but since I am only interested in the MCT's, and I really do not like coconuts, I really do not use the stuff...

The second type is expeller pressed from dried coconuts. It has a neutral taste, which is good because I personally like putting it on the frigerator and having it on my toast in the morning... I also use it for cooking and even on my popcorn, by the way.... Meaning, I personally would not want the taste of coconut on any of these things."

spngebobmyhero

If you don't want coconut taste, then you want the refined stuff. I believe it would be like comparing light olive oil with extra virgin, stronger taste in the latter.

ChanyRae

It is great to cook with. I use it everyday in the morning for my eggs. It does not have a coconut taste. No sweet taste at all. I buy the organic jar from the bulk barn (Canada).

I'm in Canada too and the bulk barn is where I seen it. I'll be sure to try it out.

Thanks for your help everyone!

Safeena87

I have used raw unrefined coconut oil is has a distinctive taste.. If you want a neutral tasting coconut oil without it being zapped of all its nutrients.. Use the expeller version

luvsdeals

Expeller pressed has no coconut taste. Tropicaltraditions.com has it on sale buy one get one free until Jan. 19th. I use the nutiva extra virgin coconut oil (which does taste like coconuts) in baked goods and to make popcorn. Amazon (with subscribe and save) is your cheapest option for that.

johnaird123

Coconut oil is higher in saturated fat than just about any other oil at about 90%+.

ajevans2674

Coconut oil is fairly expensive, so my suggestion is to make you own. All you need is unsweetened shredded coconut and a food processor. Place shredded coconut in processor and process for about 8-10 minutes, and voila, you have homemade coconut butter/oil. It hardens at room temperature, but can easily be warmed/heated to use for cooking, etc. Hope this helps!

Justforthebacon

It is great to cook with. I use it everyday in the morning for my eggs. It does not have a coconut taste. No sweet taste at all. I buy the organic jar from the bulk barn (Canada).

I'm in Canada too and the bulk barn is where I seen it. I'll be sure to try it out.

Thanks for your help everyone!

The one I have is -
Spectrum Organic Coconut Oil (Refined / Expeller pressed). It may seem expensive but it lasts a long time. A few grams goes a long way. Hope this helps.

jenlb99

I LOVE coconut oil. I cook my eggs in it (and fry my bread in it as well; no need for butter), and I add a half teaspoon to my morning oatmeal and coffee. It's fantastic stuff. It keeps you feeling full, helps kill candida (but watch -- you might have stomach cramps and diarrhea in the beginning if you consume too much), etc.

If you don't like the taste of it, there are a many other uses of coconut oil. I use it as a facial moisturizer, as shaving gel and body moisturizer, etc. It's also FANTASTIC to use over a sunburn. I fry and blister in no time, but if I apply coconut oil on my seared skin, I won't blister OR peel.

I buy the ice-cream size bucket from an organic store, and it sets me back $70 -- but lasts me several months (unless I bake a lot, of course). Try it out!

jenlb99

Coconut oil is higher in saturated fat than just about any other oil at about 90%+.

And it is SO GOOD for you. It's definitely worth reading up on.

Frankenbarbie01

the best skin conditioner EVER!! I keep a little tub in the shower and grab a bit slather up before I dry off. Excellent for dry skin.
I didnt care to cook with it, mind you I have only tried it to make zucchini sticks crispy, I'll have to try with eggs in the am..

Nana_Booboo

According to what I've been reading, it is the perfect oil to use. Olive oil losses it's "good" benefit when heated so is best used at room temp. Stay away from they hydrogenated oils, they are genetically altered and change in your body.

http://www.dldewey.com/hydroil.htm
http://www.danielplan.com/blogs/dp/dp-what-is-in-your-pantry

Check those out and you'll have a better understanding

Grapeseed oil is a good one too.

dovesgate

I went to a Pampered Chef party a few months ago and the presenter cooked using coconut oil. There was no taste whatsoever and the microwave chips came out perfectly crisp.

I've heard of grapeseed oil being fantastic for dry skin.

jenlb99

Oh! I should also mention that coconut oil is one of the secrets to popping perfect "movie theatre popcorn" at home (stovetop)!



MOVIE-STYLE POPCORN

(Start to finish: 10 minutes)

3 tablespoons coconut oil

1/2 cup white or yellow popcorn kernels

3 tablespoons clarified butter

1 teaspoon powdered salt

In a heavy pot or stovetop popcorn popper, melt the coconut oil over low heat. Add the popcorn kernels and spread evenly over the bottom of the pot.

Cover the pot, leaving the lid slightly ajar, and increase heat to medium. Gently shake pan back and forth over heat until the kernels stop popping, about three to four minutes.

Uncover and let the popcorn sit for one minute.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in the microwave. This should take only a few seconds.

Transfer the popcorn to a large bowl. Drizzle the butter over it, then sprinkle with salt. Use two large spoons to gently toss the popcorn to coat evenly with butter and salt. Serve immediately.

Makes about 10 cups.

iheartyarn

anything one would use butter for, i use coconut oil for! its fantastic! coconut, olive and seasme oil are the only oils in my house

shanea98

Coconut oil is 91% saturated fat where canola and Olive Oil are 7 and 15% respectively. So when it comes to your lipid panel, Coconut oil will raise your overall cholesterol, your bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower your good Cholesterol (HDL). Where as olive oil lowers bad and raises good and canola lowers bad. So in actually it is very bad for you in repects to heart health.

knittnponder

I have both the refined and unrefined. For things that I don't want a coconut flavor imparted to I use the refined stuff. Other things are fantastic with the coconut flavored unrefined (think Chicken Curry! Nom, nom nom) You can get both of them organic. That is one thing I make sure I do because they don't use any solvents to get the oil when it's organic.

MSepp

Coconut oil tastes good. For health purposes, it is best to avoid tropical oils like coconut and palm...don't buy into the hype. Coconut in general is not healthy for you. Tropical oils are high in saturated (unhealthy) fat that promotes storage of cholesterol and plaque in your arteries.

Flaxseed, Grapeseed, canola, olive and safflower oil are examples of healthy fats...this is coming from a dietitian.

MSepp

Hey everyone.....kind of a silly question here!

I've been reading about the health benefits of cooking with coconut oil. When I was at the bulk store, I seen it was kind of expensive for a jar of it. Before I go and buy it.....just wondering how does the food taste with it?? I don't use much oil, just a little to sautee veggies for fajitas or stirfrys. Just wondering if it puts a sweet or strong taste into the food? Or is it similar to Olive Oil?

Thanks!

From the American Dietetic Association:

http://www.eatright.org/Media/content.aspx?id=1590&terms=coconut+oil

weaverfit

The coconut oil I got does have a coconut flavor and AROMA. I think that adding strongly scented foods to your diet may actual be helpful in satiety/satisfaction so unless the smell is offensive or inappropriate for a dish, I say use whatever is available to you locally. I'm still on the same jar I started with - it does last quite a long time as I only use it on occasion. It is not my standard "go to" oil of choice.

jenlb99

In support of coconut oil, by Dr. Mercola.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mercola/coconut-oil-benefits_b_821453.html

From the link:


It may be surprising for you to learn that the naturally occurring saturated fat in coconut oil is actually good for you and provides a number of profound health benefits, such as:

• Improving your heart health.(3)
• Boosting your thyroid. (4)
• Increasing your metabolism.
• Promoting a lean body and weight loss if needed.
• Supporting your immune system. (5)

How Coconut Oil Works Wonders in Your Body

Nearly 50 percent of the fat in coconut oil is of a type rarely found in nature called lauric acid, a "miracle" compound because of its unique health promoting properties. Your body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, which has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-protozoa properties. (6)

Coconut oil is also nature's richest source of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), also called medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs. By contrast, most common vegetable or seed oils are comprised of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs), also known as long-chain triglycerides or LCTs.

LCTs are large molecules, so they are difficult for your body to break down and are predominantly stored as fat.

But MCTs (7) , being smaller, are easily digested and immediately burned by your liver for energy -- like carbohydrates, but without the insulin spike. MCTs actually boost your metabolism and help your body use fat for energy, as opposed to storing it, so it can actually help you become leaner.

Back in the 1940s, farmers discovered this effect accidentally when they tried using inexpensive coconut oil to fatten their livestock.

It didn't work!

Instead, coconut oil made the animals lean, active and hungry.

Coconut oil has actually been shown to help optimize body weight, which can dramatically reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (8). Besides weight loss, boosting your metabolic rate will improve your energy, accelerate healing and improve your overall immune function.

And several studies have now shown that MCTs can enhance physical or athletic performance.(9)

And finally, as we have already discussed, coconut oil is incedibly good for your heart. The truth is this: it is unsaturated fats that are primarily involved in heart disease and too much sugar and processed foods, not the naturally occurring saturated fats, as you have been led to believe. (10)

MSepp

Be wary of any article that promotes a food or supplement that "works wonders". These trends will come and go. Remember that trans fatty acids came about because everyone thought that a plant-based fat would be healthier for you than animal fat (aka butter)...so they developed a fake fat from natural oils like vegetable or canola.

I'm just saying...some of the science behind these "wonder foods" is a bit shifty.

MSepp

And finally, as we have already discussed, coconut oil is incedibly good for your heart. The truth is this: it is unsaturated fats that are primarily involved in heart disease and too much sugar and processed foods, not the naturally occurring saturated fats, as you have been led to believe. (10)

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coconut-oil-and-weight-loss/AN01899

I am sure we could post conflicting research on this topic all day long and still never come up with a definite answer on this. Just saying-this may actually be a stumbling block for a lot of people trying to lose weight. Even if a saturated fat comes from a natural source, it's not necessarily good for you. Calories alone should be a clue.

crazy48kids

http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

scottstofko

I use Coconut oil in my fat loss. The 21daybodymaker suggests using at least 3 servings off "good" fats per day to help promote fat loss. I can say that I put one tablespoon in my morning protien shake and it curbs my hunger better than when I don't include it.. Also I have only lost 11 pounds of body weight but my fat loss has been much more. Of course I made other dietary changes as well, but I do beilieve that taking in good fats helps loose bad fats. The other good fats I take in is one tablespoon of Olive oil and avocado (half per day)