Coconut oil - which is the best kind whole30 approved

[Tonya Farley Wagner]

There are several types of Coconut oil, what are the best types and whole30 approved?

[amberino21]

I don't think any CO isn't approved - I like raw/cold pressed/unrefined. It tastes like coconut but I don't mind

[Sharon Simpson Thumann]

I like the Carrington Farms brand from Costco.

[GFChris]

I like Trader Joe's organic coconut oil and Spectrum refined organic coconut oil (the latter I can get in my grocery store).

My brother buys Nutiva coconut oil in a bulk container on amazon.

EDIT: Interestingly, the Whole30 pantry guide calls for unrefined coconut oil. http://whole9life.com/book/ISWF-Pantry-Stocking.pdf

[Roz Griffiths]

If you enjoy the smell & taste of coconut, get unrefined. If the smell & taste of coconut make you gag, get refined!!

[Lainey]

I like Nutiva!

[Vian]

I get the cold pressed virgin coconut oil from costco. It's a huge jar (72 ounces I think?) for $20. It does taste like coconut, and I can't cook anything egg-based in it (I use grass-fed butter or ghee), but I've found that if I cook meat in it and use plenty of salt, I don't taste the coconut oil. I actually really like the coconut flavor on certain veggies, especially sweet potatoes.

[Paula Adams]

I am new to using coconut oil.  When I was reading about it in Well Fed and It Starts With Food, I was under the impression that it would be solid.  Like the consistency of crisco shortening.  And I found a jar at Whole Foods that was not refrigerated and did have that white solid look to it.  But for some reason after sitting on my own pantry shelf for a day or two (unopened) it is now liquid with a small amount of solid particles floating around.  Is that normal?  All of the recipes I read say "melt a teaspoon of coconut oil in pan" but mine already seems melted.

 

It says to store in a cool dry place  - I live in the desert so nothing but the fridge is really cool.  And it did re-solidify when I put it in there.  

 

I just want to make sure that is normal and I didn't get a bad jar or something.

 

Thanks!

[Physibeth]

Coconut oil starts to melt at 75 degrees. It is totally normal for it to be liquid when it is warmer out. No worries. 

[Bet]

I keep mine by the stove so I can pour it out as liquid. For me,  it gets too hard in the fridge.

[Paula Adams]

Thanks!

[AmyS]

I live in the tropics and my coconut oil is rarely solid.

 

GFChris, I've asked over and over and have been told repeatedly that refined coconut oil is fine.  I'm hanging on to that for dear life, since the smell of unrefined coconut oil will drive me right out of my own house.

[amberino21]

I like when its warm enough to keep it runny!! So much easier to use

[Delaine Ross]

And if you're getting into the land of coconut oil for the first time, there are so many other fun ways to use it: as face moisturizer, shaving your legs, in your hair...

[GFChris]

I live in the tropics and my coconut oil is rarely solid.

 

GFChris, I've asked over and over and have been told repeatedly that refined coconut oil is fine.  I'm hanging on to that for dear life, since the smell of unrefined coconut oil will drive me right out of my own house.

Yup, refined is fine too on the W30 - enjoy!

[Chris74]

I use these guys: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil2.htm

[Sharon Simpson Thumann]

And if you're getting into the land of coconut oil for the first time, there are so many other fun ways to use it: as face moisturizer, shaving your legs, in your hair...

Great on sunburn too and making your own sunscreen.