What is the difference between refined and unrefined coconut oil? Here’s what you should know about these two different types and when to use them.
Refined vs Unrefined Coconut Oil: What’s the Difference? What Kind of Coconut Oil is Best for You? We’re glad you asked. Although they look like the same product, there is one distinct difference that you should be aware of. Here’s a breakdown and when to use them in your kitchen.
Refined vs. Unrefined Coconut Oil: The Differences
What is the difference between these two coconut products? Which do we advise you to buy? Refined coconut oil. Here’s why:
- What is unrefined coconut oil? This type is also known as virgin coconut oil fresh coconut meat that is cold pressed. Unrefined coconut oil has a strong coconut flavor. You can heat it up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- What is refined coconut oil? Refined coconut oil comes from the dried coconut meat that is steam refined (no chemicals are used in this process). Refined coconut oil has a neutral taste, meaning you can use it as a butter substitute without the recipe tasting like coconut. You can heat it up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
What Kind of Coconut Oil is Best for You?
Here are the most important things to consider. Unrefined and refined coconut oil has the same nutritional profile. It’s good news! Because this way you can use the most versatile oil, refined coconut oil, all the time (which we do). Scroll down to see how we use it.
Is coconut oil healthy?
This is a hotly debated topic in the health and wellness community. Coconut oil has been described by some as the best healthy oil for cooking and as a toxic toxin by others. It’s hard to know who to trust, so let’s follow Harvard’s lead.
According to Harvard Medical School, “Coconut oil is neither a superfood nor a poison.” In other words, it’s an edible oil that’s best consumed in moderation. Feel free to use it occasionally in baking or in the pie crust (see below) and it makes a great vegan butter substitute. What is the healthiest oil choice? Experts agree that you should go for olive oil.
Refined vs. unrefined coconut oil: when to use it
What is the best way to use refined or unrefined coconut oil? As we mentioned above: The most versatile coconut oil is refined coconut oil. It has a neutral flavor so you can hardly taste the coconut. You can also heat it up to 400 degrees, making it great for sautéing. In fact, we only buy refined coconut oil here. Here’s a breakdown of how to use the two types:
- Unrefined Coconut Oil: Use it in recipes where you want a strong coconut flavor. You can use it for baking and personal care.
- Refined Coconut Oil: This oil is much more versatile due to its neutral taste. Use in personal care, vegan baked goods, stir fry and stir fry, vegan pie crust, vegan scones, vegan cookies and more.
Coconut Oil Recipes
Ready to cook? Here are some of our coconut oil recipes:
The description
These coconut cookies are a one-bowl recipe that makes for a chewy, gluten-free cookie that’s topped with flaky sea salt. See Coconut Oil Cookies for more information.
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 3 tablespoons water, more if necessary
- 2 tablespoons Coconut oil, softened but not melted
- ½ cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- ¼ cup almond butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups almond powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea-salt
- ½ cup vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In the bottom of a large bowl, whisk together the ground flaxseed and water and let thicken for 5 minutes.
- In the same bowl, add coconut oil, sugar, almond butter, and vanilla. Whisk until well mixed. Add the almond flour and sprinkle the baking soda and salt evenly over the mixture. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to stir until the mixture is well combined, add 1-2 tablespoons of water if the mixture is too dry. Add the chocolate chips.
- Use a 2 Tbsp cookie scoop to scoop the batter onto the baking sheet. Press each ball down lightly and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if needed. Bake 10 to 13 minutes or until edges just beginning to brown.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- When the cookies are completely cool, they can be stored in an airtight container or frozen. (To reheat frozen cookies, bake at 350 F for 5 minutes or until heated through.)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Cooked
- Kitchen: American
- Diet: vegan
Keywords: Refined vs. unrefined coconut oil
