Refined and unrefined coconut oil are not created equal. These two ingredients differ in how they are produced, as well as how they can be used, which can make all the difference in your next recipe.
Differences Between Refined and Unrefined Coconut Oil
1. How They Are Processed
Unrefined coconut oil is made with fresh coconut meat. The fresh coconut is fed into a machine where it is pressed to remove the oil. There are several methods of making unrefined coconut oil, and you may see labels with cold-pressed or expeller-pressed, but both are methods for making unrefined coconut oil.
Refined coconut oil, on the other hand, is made from dried coconut, which is steamed or heated before pressing to remove the oil. The coconut oil, which is produced from this extraction method, is then bleached to remove any bacteria.
2. Nutrient Density
Unrefined coconut oil isn’t bleached and, as a result, retains more nutrients than refined coconut oil. Unrefined coconut oil contains high levels of saturated fatty acid, which can have antioxidant and antiviral properties.
3. Scent
The process of making refined coconut oil removes much of the scent from the product. As a result, refined coconut oil typically has no fruity smell. Unrefined coconut oil, however, retains its coconut scent.
4. Smoke Point
Refined coconut oil has a higher smoke point than unrefined. While unrefined coconut oil has a low smoke point of 350°F, the smoke point of refined coconut oil is 400°-450°F.
5. Shelf Life
The shelf-life of refined coconut oil isn’t as long as unrefined coconut oil. Refined coconut oil can be stored for about 2-3 months, whereas unrefined coconut oil can last for 2-3 years.
6. Uses
Both refined and unrefined coconut oil can be used for baking and different cooking purposes, but unrefined coconut oil is also functional outside the kitchen. Refined coconut oil is better for frying because of the high smoke point. Unrefined coconut oil can still be used for sautéing as long as the temperature is monitored closely. Outside of the kitchen, unrefined coconut oil is better to use for hair or skin care purposes because it retains more of its vitamins and minerals when compared to refined coconut oils.
7. Taste
Unrefined coconut oil retains more of its coconut taste than refined coconut oil. As a result, it is recommended to use unrefined coconut oil in any recipe you want to taste like coconut, such as curries, soups, or coconut-flavored baked goods.
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