Cocoa butter vs. coconut oil

[Kate L]

I am very new to raw foods and I'm not an intuitive cook, so I would appreciate some guidance. I made a raw cheesecake for my DH's birthday and found the flavor of the coconut oil the recipe called for very overpowering. I assume one of the purposes of the oil is to create the right consistency. Would cocoa butter achieve a similar consistency with a more subtle flavor? Is it generally safe to substitute cocoa butter in equal amounts to the coconut oil, or should I use more/less/still use some coconut oil? Thanks!

[tloftus]

I am fairly new to raw foods, and am not sure what the difference is between coconut oil and coconut butter. Anyone?

[walnutty]

Cacao butter is very strong, but if you want a chocolate tasting cheesecake than that would be the way to go.

I use coconut butter (not oil) and it is delicious in every dessert I make. I actually make raw fudge with the coconut butter (even though I have cacao butter) because it is so good!

If you live near a Whole Foods they may carry (mine does) a small package of cacao butter, so that you can try it.

Good luck!

[walnutty]

I am fairly new to raw foods, and am not sure what the difference is between coconut oil and coconut butter. Anyone?

The coconut butter I use has all the coconut in it. Here is a link to the one I buy:

http://www.livingtreecommunity.com/s...d=180&catid=41

It is so delicious you can eat it right out of the jar!

[k8sl8]

Coconut oil and coconut butter are exactly the same thing. At warmish room temp, it is in oil form; at cooler temps it is solid.

To complicate matters, there are products called butter with coconut solids in them. I'm assuming they react a bit differently when used as an ingredient.

[DebB]

I've got a jar of Artisana Coconut Butter in my fridge - but I haven't used it yet (except to taste it with a spoon - wow!). Here's what they say about their butter on their site:

Artisana Organic Raw Coconut Butter

There are great moments in life when you are refreshed and delighted by an old love--when a old song finds its way back into your modern taste and you find yourself touched with a new appreciation and grasp of its beauty. Everyone knows the beauty and wonder of Coconut: electrolized water, oil so smooth and safe it can be used as lotion, and the dense nutrition of the coconut meat. Artisana has defined their Coconut Butter with a signature puree of coconut meat, yeilding a fibrous, densely nutritious spread and a wonderful ingredient in raw desserts, smoothies, savory dishes and snacks. We can't keep our spoons out of our jars. Find a new love in an old favorite. Mix Artisana Coconut Butter with Agave Nectar, Vanilla, and a pinch of Sea Salt for a fantastic raw frosting (sandwich it between two cookies...YUM!!!).




Ingredients: 100% Organic, Raw Coconut Meat (dehydrated at low temperature)

[walnutty]

Oh my yes! Artisana Organic Raw Coconut Butter is freaking amazing tasting!

[Inca_faerie]

Coconut oil and coconut butter are exactly the same thing. At warmish room temp, it is in oil form; at cooler temps it is solid.

To complicate matters, there are products called butter with coconut solids in them. I'm assuming they react a bit differently when used as an ingredient.

Coconut oil and coconut butter aren't the same. Coconut oil is pure oil and coconut butter is coconut flesh mixed in with coconut oil.

Cocoa butter is the oil extracted from the cacao bean. It has a yummy, warm chocolatey smell/flavor.

[k8sl8]

I guess I stand corrected... although that information came from 'an expert' on another raw site, when the exact same question was asked. My understanding was that the butter with solids is a different product, but called the same, thus confusion for all.

[CosimaMoon]

*Sigh*....oh how I've yearned for cacao butter for ages now...why must Whole Foods be so expensive??