To reap the great benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil make sure you know the difference between virgin and Copra (basic COCONUT OIL) found in today’s market place and why they should not be confused." There is so much interest now about the wonderful benefits of using Coconut oil in today's market place that it is really important for people to understand the difference between virgin, extra virgin and the general term of coconut oil and why they give such different results. Coconut oil is commonly divided into two broad categories – RBD (refined, bleached, deodorized) and “virgin”. The difference between the two is in the amount of processing the oil undergoes. Refined Coconut Oil Refined oil is commonly regarded as lower quality than virgin oil and is typically made from copra (dried kernel - meat) of the coconut, which is made by drying coconut in the sun. Refined coconut oil is referred to in the coconut industry as RBD (refined, bleached, and deodorized) coconut oil. If you put this type of oil on your skin it is just that OIL and will clog the pores of your skin. DO NOT BUY JUST COCONUT OIL, NEEDS TO BE “VIRGIN”. Virgin Coconut Oils (VCO) - Unrefined coconut oil - The term “Virgin Coconut Oil” in the coconut oil industry means that this form of coconut oil processing is the most unrefined and most natural form and no artificial filtering or expeller pressing is used. The oil remains in its most natural form and retains a rich smell and sweet taste of coconut. Most virgin oils are made from fresh coconuts, not copra. This oil is extracted by a number of methods, and since high temperatures and chemical solvents are not used, the oil retains its naturally occurring phytochemicals (plant chemicals) which produce a distinctive coconut taste and smell. “Virgin” means the oil was produced by the use of physical means and no chemical treatment. "Unrefined" coconut oils on the market are known as "Virgin". Good quality Virgin Coconut Oil should taste and smell like coconut. It should be very fine oil and will quickly melt in the palm of your hand with body heat. If it does not solidify or melt quickly you know it is much thicker and inferior oil. Good quality Coconut Oils should have a shelf life of at lease 2 years without any deteriorate of the oil at all. When cooking with Virgin Coconut Oils the oil will fry at very high temperatures. Good quality can be mixed in both hot and cold drinks. Today because of the high demand for Virgin Oil many unscrupulous manufacturers are getting cheap copra oils and running them through expeller press machines to clean up the oils and also state they are ORGANIC. While the press removes the smell and all flavor from the oils the Copra COCONUT OIL is much thicker oil that will NOT quickly absorb into the skin and does contain TRANS FAT. Difference between “Virgin” and “Extra Virgin” Some retailers and manufacturers of Virgin Coconut Oil, referring to their coconut oil as "Extra Virgin". There is no official classification or difference between "virgin" and "extra virgin" as there is in the olive oil industry, since the two oils are completely different in fatty acid composition, harvesting procedures, and terminology.
|
