Refined v/s Unrefined Coconut Oil What’s the Difference
In the last few years, the edible oil industry is going through several revisions and transforming shifts. Increased health awareness among the people led them to try different versions of edible oil depending on the benefits they offer. The use of coconut oil has not been limited to just a few regions of the world for the sake of hair nourishment. The canvas has spanned across the world and consumption purposes have advanced as edible oil, in the cosmetic industry, and for medicinal use. Diet regimes like Keto have already boosted people for consumption of high-fat food and coconut oil fits the best. Let’s see how coconut oil gets manufactured. Coconut meat is processed to extract oil from it. This manufacturing process and use of coconut flesh derive two types of coconut oil and they are:
-
Refined Coconut oil
-
Organic Wooden Cold Pressed Oil
Let’s learn the differences between these so that you can make the right choice for yourself & your family!
What is Refined Coconut Oil and Organic Wooden Cold Pressed Coconut Oil?
The widespread popularity of coconut oil is the result of the latest health trends, like Keto, which focuses on high-fat and low-calorie intake. Coconut oil with high medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) best fits the criteria.
Refined coconut oil is made by pressing dried coconut meat into heavy machines which later undergo several processes, like degumming, neutralizing, bleaching, and deodorizing. Thus, it is highly processed under very high temperatures with a higher smoke point of 400-450℉. With this higher smoke point, refined coconut oil makes it suitable for high-temperature cooking like frying and baking but the extensive manufacturing process for refining also strips away all the vital nutrients from the coconut oil.
On the contrary, the method of extracting organic wooden cold-pressed oil makes all the difference in its quality and flavour. The extraction process of organic wooden cold pressed coconut oil involves crushing oil-bearing organic coconut meat under the lowest rotation per minute (RPM) which helps emit lesser heat and retains the quality and taste of the coconut. Generally, they are placed in huge Wooden Kolhus where they are continuously rotated and crushed until all the unrefined coconut oil is collected. Since the process is undertaken in a wooden container, the heat generated is less than 40 degrees. Also, wood helps to absorb the heat so wooden pressed oils retain their original flavour, taste, aroma, and nutritional value.
The Difference Between Refined and Wooden Cold Pressed/Unrefined Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has different variations, but refined and unrefined coconut oil are the major two types.
Refined coconut oil is a type of oil that has undergone a severe process that eliminates all nutritional value from the oil. The refining process typically involves a combination of chemical and physical treatments, such as degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization. These treatments help to remove substances such as free fatty acids, phospholipids, and pigments, which can affect the oil's taste, colour, and shelf life. The refining process may also remove some of the oil's natural nutrients and antioxidants, which is a downside of consuming refined coconut oil.
On the other hand, wooden cold pressed also known as unrefined coconut oil is oil that is minimally processed and retains its natural flavour and nutrients. Unlike refined coconut oil, unrefined coconut oil is processed without using high heat, chemicals, or solvents. Instead, they are simply extracted from the source and filtered to remove impurities. One of the main benefits of using unrefined coconut oil is that it contains more nutrients and antioxidants than refined coconut oils. For example, unrefined coconut oil is high in medium-chain triglycerides, which can improve metabolism and support weight loss.
Refined v/s Wooden Cold Pressed Coconut Oil
Sr No. |
Refined Coconut Oil |
Wooden Cold Pressed Coconut Oil |
1 |
Made by processing dried coconut meat through a machine to extract the oil |
Produced by pressing fresh or organic coconut meat into wooden Kolhus to extract oil from it.
|
2 |
It uses steam or heat to deodorize the product which is later bleached and filtered to remove impurities. |
Wooden Cold-pressed oil eliminates heat from the manufacturing process. |
3 |
It has a neutral aroma and taste. |
It retains the natural aroma and has a mild nutty flavour taste.
|
4 |
The smoke point is relatively higher and falls in the range of 400-450℉. |
Has a lower smoke point than refined oil and is about 350℉. |
5 |
Has a shorter shelf life |
Can last two to three years when stored properly |
6 |
Good for baking, sauteing, and cooking. |
Best for low heat sautéing or baking, or salad dressings |
7 |
Does not keep vital vitamins like E and sterols |
Retains the Vitamin E and Sterols, making it more nutritional. |
What To Use Refined or Organic Wooden Cold Pressed/Unrefined Coconut Oil?
People who have started consuming coconut oil may get confused about which one to use – refined or organic wooden cold-pressed coconut oil! Well, the use of coconut oil depends on individual preferences, dietary needs, and the quality of coconut oil. However, when we look at the differences, it is worth considering organic wooden cold-pressed coconut oil as it will suit each preference skilfully!
1. Baking Process
You can use organic wooden cold-pressed coconut oil in the baking process as it is a popular vegan substitute for butter. It will add that extra flavour, and aroma to your baked goods such as cupcakes, cakes, pies, etc.
2. Aesthetic Process
The use of coconut oil other than cooking is gaining lost fame, especially in the aesthetic process- skin and hair care. If you want to reap the benefits of coconut oil, dermatologists recommend the use of organic wooden cold-pressed unrefined coconut oil. Coconut oil can work best on your split ends, dry scalp, and hair care problems. With in-built moisturizer features, unrefined coconut oil can get antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits.
3. Cooking
The latest diet regimes like Keto cause people to understand coconut oil benefits and consider it as core edible oil across the world. Both refined and unrefined coconut oil have different smoke points, and their application in cooking also gets differ. Cooking processes that work on high smoke points, like frying, use refined coconut oil. On the contrary, cooking processes like sauteing, which require low smoking points use unrefined coconut oil. Also, with a difference in taste, unrefined coconut oil is used in savoury recipes like curry and soup with its strong coconut taste and aroma.
Although the popularity of the keto diet has brought the fame of coconut oil back in these recent years, one should get advice from a health practitioner before replacing edible oil with coconut oil. It is obvious though which one to use after learning the differences between refined and unrefined coconut oil. Visit our website or drop yourself at our stores to buy pure organic coconut oil and get ready to avail yourself of the health benefits!