How to tell if Coconut Oil is raw?

[Analeah]

I just found some coconut oil at the store today and thought I would try it. It doesn't say anywhere that it is raw but it doesn't say it is cooked either so I am not sure which it is. It has a whiter color than the coconut oil I got from nature's first law and it tastes much better. The brand is Suprema Kokos and as far as I can tell from reading the ingredients and the other info on the container it doesn't say anything about being cold pressed or extra virgin etc. I read somewhere online that extra virgin coconut butter is really white in color and should have nothing added etc. Anyway just wondering if anyone else has any info on this or could lead me in the right direction to finding out if it is raw or not. Thanks!

[ConsciousCuisine]

It will say "Extra Virgin" or "Virgin" and "Unrefined" if it is truly raw, at least here in the US. Can you contact the manufacturer? That is the only reliable way to know for sure...

[Analeah]

I don't think it says virgin or unrefined or anything but I am just looked at a really good link on coconut oil. www.coconutoil-online.com I just placed an order for the nutiva coconut oil because I wanted to make sure it was raw. This other coconut oil looks really good too though and they have really reasonable shipping for international orders. I just emailed the store for more information on it but I don't know if I will hear anything back or not. I was just comparing it to the natures first law and it seems to be more white and solid looking. The taste is great though not too strong of a coconut flavor. I tried looking information up on the brand name suprema kokos but couldn't find anything. I have feeling this stuff is probably refined or processed in some way but I wish I knew for sure. Also I was reading on another site that coconut oil can be heated up higher than normal without losing the enzymes because of its high saturated content? Anyone know if this is true?

[smasty]

You definitely want to buy coconut oil from a reputable company, imho. There's bleaching and all kinds of things that can be done to some oils. My two sources are Wilderness Family Naturals and Tropical Traditions. I like the taste of TT oil the best, but WFN has a certified cold-processed oil I believe.

Also...WFN has the most, incredible incredible incredible freeze dried coconut. It tastes VERY sweet, with no added sweetener. It's amazing stuff.

[ConsciousCuisine]

Coconut oil can hea heated up higher than other oils without becoming toxic, as the fats are more stable and do not become rancid or alter in negative ways. However, it loses enzymes just like everything else does when heated.

I like "NOW" brand Extra Virgin Coconut oil, as it comes in glass and has a delightful aroma and taste. Nutiva is a great brand but I have to say I do not use their coconut oil because it is stored in plastic, at least where it is sold in my area.

If it turns out the oil you bought is refined, and you cannot return it to the store, it makes a lovely moisturizer for scalp, hair and skin! :)

[ConsciousCuisine]

You definitely want to buy coconut oil from a reputable company, imho. There's bleaching and all kinds of things that can be done to some oils. My two sources are Wilderness Family Naturals and Tropical Traditions. I like the taste of TT oil the best, but WFN has a certified cold-processed oil I believe.

Also...WFN has the most, incredible incredible incredible freeze dried coconut. It tastes VERY sweet, with no added sweetener. It's amazing stuff.

Tropical Traditions is SOOO good! I met the makers of this oil at the Natural Foods and PRoducts Expo in LA this year! They were handing out little spoons of the oil and I kept getting people to come over and drink it up! My DH went back to drink it several times :) The company will mail out samples of it too, if you email them... :)

[Analeah]

Hmm, according to coconutoil-online.com they say even nature's first law coconut has been mircro expeller pressed and uses some kind of heat in the process though it doesn't specify how high. I didn't know Nutiva's cocont oil was stored in plastic I Just ordered a gallon of it but I may try and see if I can cancel my order. Tropical traditions is also apparently heat treated in some way at some point during the process. I don't know if this is just a marketing gimmick so they can sell their own brand of coconut oil or if it is actually true? I read a lot of good reviews on it though so I think it is probably pretty good. They also offer a 1oz free sample including shipping for $1.50 so I just ordered that to try it out. From what I can tell at the tropical traditions website it looks like it is packaged in plastic containers? What is the NOW brand? Do they have a website?

[Alissa]

I will be selling the BEST coconut oil within a few weeks.
i have done testing with many different brands (about 8 jars at a time) and they all after sitting out, being left out somewhere warm, or right after purchasing taste and smell rancid. the coconut oil i will have always smells fresh like coconut! ill give you more info in a week or so and you can check the site in a few weeks as it will be up there.

[Analeah]

Mmm, that sounds WONDERFUL alissa! I think the oil from nature's first law I have probably went rancid. I just put in a huge order for a gallon of it from nutiva's but I am going to see if I can cancel the order. Do you have any info on what the prices will be? Do you know if the coconut oil you will be selling is centrifugal processed or expellar etc? I read about some raw coconut sap vinegar that sounded really good. Any chance you will be selling that? I really look forward to getting some from your website when it is available so definately keep us all updated! Thanks :)

[Alissa]

Hi, the one i tested from Natures first law smelled really rancid and almost smoky like. it was one of the worst?!
i will give you all the info as soon as i get it.
Thanks!
Alissa

[Analeah]

Oh my you have no idea how relieved I am to hear that. I thought maybe my taste buds were just different or something but that is exactly how the nature's first law coconut oil I had tasted! May I ask when you sampled the coconut oil? I am wondering if perhaps we got a bad batch or something because other people say it is the best coconut oil they have ever had! Anyway, thanks again and I look forward to getting the info!

[ConsciousCuisine]

As far as hearing that NFL Coconut Butter is the "Best" I have this to say:
Many Raw Fooders worship at the "Nature's First Law" temple or another similar "temple" (institution or individual who supports/promotes the Raw lifestyle)

My belief is that we are all guides of a sort, we all have the potential to be "experts" with work and enough effort, skill, practice, determination, education and experieince. How do you think the "experts" got to be where they are? ;) Everyone starts out at whatever point they are at and learns from there...

Unfortunately, I have seen people get caught up in following the crowd, just because of a movement, a single person or group's popularity and the like.

I have also seen people turned off from the Raw lifestyle and diet by the cultish mentality and exclusionary treatment experienced by "outsiders" to said movement, in other words people new to the Raw ideology, people who didn't already or who cannot afford to pay large fees to learn more or see/hear an "Authority" speak or attend their exclusive $3000.00 retreat. (I am not saying that you do this, Analeah- on the contrary I know you to be an independant thinker! :) )

Like Alissa, I have personally tested dozens of Coconut Oils, researched the production process, spoken to and met manufacturers and only have found a few that meet up to *my* high standards. Take all of what you hear in with a "grain of Celtic Sea Salt" :) consider who is the messenger, and if they have an agenda or are speaking from the heart, then do your own experiments and trust your instincts. Oh and all of us here on this forum :) Just kidding... ;)

[Analeah]

Thanks so much for the great information CC! What are the top brands you would recommend and what are the main differences between them? I just received an email earlier today from Migros and after looking into it for me they replied back that the oil has in fact been refined with the use of heat. They didn't say if it had been bleached or deodorized but that is enough information for me. Unfortunately I just made chocolate with it and ate a lot I am hoping it's not too horrible for me! Is it okay to use this for lotion or any other uses other than for eating?

[Rawkinlocs]

Okay, so it seems that Nature's Law is a bit overrated (?)

What about http://eatraw.com? How is the quality of their coconut oils and other products?

[ConsciousCuisine]

Please know, I wasn't tryin' to "talk trash" about NFL specifically. I personally like some of their products (olives!) and others I do not care for.

The intent of my post above was to encourage people to look and try things out for themselves and to ask friends and not to blindly "believe the hype" about any product or person or Corporation, and in this specific case, Analeah has had several disappointing encounters with NFL and their product even, so I was encouraging her to look to her own experiences instead of being swayed because their stuff is "supposed to be the best".

As far as www.eatraw.com is concerned, I like their general philosophy! Their heart seems in the right place and their treats are really yummy! They have decent prices and I am so happy to see they are no longer calling their "Nama Shoyu" Raw, and instead refer to it as what it is- "Live"! (I had several exploratory conversations with them about them calling it "Raw" when it is really "Live" and about how it can confuse some people etc. One ended with the guy snipping at me and saying: "Well of COURSE it is cooked!" and hanging up on me I am glad they had a change of heart ;) )