Where can you buy Coconut oil (UK)

Hi Pollypops,

I'm from Manchester and I've not seen it yet too.

I had a look in holland and barrett and didn't see it in there either.

I want some too!

A google search brings up several online retailers, including Holland and Barrett ^^

You can check in any India grocery store. It is a staple in India...

What is the coconut oil going to be used for? You can buy it in carribean grocery shops or Indian grocery shops. Is it meant to be a healthy option?

You can also buy coconut milk in blocks, liquid or powder form but that's only for adding flavour to food - delicious but high in calories.


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good luck in finding coconut anything. There is a worldwide shortage of coconut milk and associated products.

Our local indie health shop is selling it in huge tubs, and are heavily promoting it at the moment. We have loads of Asian and Caribbean stores in Northampton, and there is certainly no shortage of it here in Northampton!

As far as I am aware, the shortage of coconut milk etc. is because of the failure of the Thai harvest, whereas a lot of the oil comes from Ghana and the Philipines. Also, given the relatively long shelf life of coconut oil, it's likely to be a while before we see any knock-on effect from the Thai harvest (or lack thereof) in this area. If indeed we do at all.

As well as the above outlets, you might also try people/companies who sell soap-making and cosmetic supplies, as it's likely to be much cheaper. Look for food-grade coconut oil with no additives.

There are lots of sellers on Ebay offering it:

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A4%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A5005&rt=nc&_nkw=pure+coconut+oil&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1

Make sure you get pure, unrefined, non-fractionated oil. It might also be called extra virgin but check to see that it's unrefined. Of course, if you don't want the coconut scent, then unrefined is fine, as long as it doesn't have anything added to it, but I think you may lose some of the health benefits.

When I used to make soap and cosmetics a lot (I only make enough for personal use now, and for history demos), I used Akua Wood at Shea Butter Cottage a lot:

http://www.akuawood.co.uk/product.php?productid=453&cat=6&page=1

She is a bit more expensive than some places but her customer service is fantastic.

Hope you find some and get on with it. I find it invaluable for cosmetic use as well as cooking!

I would say to check the International Foods isle of your grocers. I've seen coconut oil at Tesco as well with the Indian cooking products, but it doesn't show available to order from Tesco Online.

If you are fortunate enough to live, or shop, in an ethnically-diverse area! Supermarkets are stocked according to the local demographic, so in a predominantly white, middle-class area for example, I suspect you'd have more difficulty finding it than in a largely mixed-culture area. A couple of years ago, I visited a large Tesco on the way home from somewhere because I fancied some tofu for dinner. The sales assistant had no idea what I was talking about, and suggested I look in the hair care department! Clearly, that region was not the place where a lot of vegetarians or Asian people go to shop! Lots of junk food on the shelves though!

O/T: I love that you work out to Buffy, RedFroggie - that's so cool!

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I forgot to add the supplier of coconut oil (and black soap) that I currently use:

http://www.akomaskincare.co.uk/section.php/180/1/coconut_oil_virgin_organic_raw__coldpressed_or_wetmilled_

Everything there is natural and Fair Trade. Shipping is also very cheap.

Sure Sainsburys do it in the specialist section .

I can get it at my local Tesco's though I think it does depend on where you live as to what they stock. If you don't live in an ethnically diverse area you might struggle. Maybe when you go to your nearest major city take a look in a local supermarket.

I get mine from Sainsbury's if I run out, it's in the aisle with all the cooking oils, on the top shelf. It is more expensive from there, so I usually buy mine from Ebay, I pay £9.90 for a large tub. I eat quite a bit so it lasts me around two weeks, but I do eat a lot. I missed my delivery this morning and have run out and oh boy can I feel it. :-)

I get mine at Tesco. I think maybe Costco have it as well. Its not usually in a spot that jumps out at you though!!

Here in the US you can buy it in the supplements aisle at Walgreens Pharmacy. Now that Walgreens has purchased Boots, you could try there.

Also, if you are looking to mail order it, try any soapmaking supply websites. Coconut and olive oil are the two most common oils used in soapmaking and they use the same food grade that is sold for eating. Usually it is cheaper too because it is bulk packaging rather than fancy brand name packaging. Make sure you stay away from hydrogenated which is more like a solid butter and fractionated which is a clear liquid and has many of the beneficial fatty acids removed. Pure coconut oil should be a creamy whitish color about the texture of peanut butter (but not sticky) if kept under 76° F and a yellowish liquid when it gets over 76°