What should I be looking for in coconut oil?

[AprilM]

Hi,
I just picked up a jar of Spectrum Naturals expeller expressed organic coconut oil. I would like to start supplement me and my family with coconut oil daily, and thought this would be a good brand. In my research on coconut oil, I came across an article on Dr. Mercola's site about coconut oil, specifically the brand he sells called Fresh Shores virgin coconut oil. He states that a good coconut oil will have the following attributes:

1) unrefined
2) Certified organic
3) no chemicals
4) no bleaching
5) no deoderization
6) no hydrogenation
7) made from fresh coconuts
8) made without heat processing

From what I can tell about Spectrum's CO, it IS refined, it doesn't say 'virgin' coconut oil on the jar, they use earthen clays to naturally bleach out the pink hues, and they do use heat processing. So I am assuming , from what Mercola's article says, that this is probably not the CO I am looking for.

Any CO experts out there, and if so, what do you think of Spectrum, and/or what CO would you recommend for daily supplementation?

Thanks!

[nukuspot]

nak

i don't know but i am sure interested....i use spectrum co every day!

[CageFreeFamily]

Here's a FAQ about different kids of CO.
We usually buy ours in bulk from MountainRoseHerbs.com

[nukuspot]

That FAQ link didn't go through. Can you repost it?

[AprilM]

Yes please do repost the FAQ link! I m very interested. "-)

[Panserbjorne]

Tropical Traditions is the best I've found. It is SO much better than spectrum! I cannot tolerate the taste of Spectrum at all and almost swore off CO after tasting it. Ugh. www.tropicaltraditions.com has a ton of info on CO. Their sales can be really good too. We go through a gallon every two months or so so I very much appreciate their one and five gallon offerings.

Nutiva is also good as is Garden of Life IMO. Hope you find what you are looking for!

[CageFreeFamily]

Oops! Here it is: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/faq.htm

[starrmama]

I've tried LOTS of different brands over the past 6 years or so. Spectrum was the first one I got too - I think its just the most widely available! Basically, you just want something that is "virgin" and unrefined... should say things like cold-pressed, raw, organic etc. In bigger chain health food stores, the best coconut oils will usually be in the supplement or beauty section rather than the oil aisle. Also, if I'm buying from a place online like Tropical Traditions and Wilderness Family who have different grades or different process oils, I tend to go with the "traditional process" ones that are made the way they've been doing it for generations...

Brands that I've liked are:
Mountain Rose Herbs (the BEST price on coconut oil, but you have to buy it in the one gallon bulk size)
Wilderness Family Naturals
Nutiva
Artisana
Tropical Traditions
Garden of Life
Jarrow

[nukuspot]

After reading the TT website I would like to try it. But I am quite confused at all their CO choices. Do you all go with the "gold label" or use one of the other ones?

[Koalamom]

Someone told me that TT gold label was unhealthy and unsanitary, and to get the green label. Any thoughts?

[treespeak]

Just wanted to chime in that at our local natural foods store, several types of CO are available from Spectrum, including one that is unrefined, expeller pressed, virgin and organic, according to the label. It meets my standards, tho' I don't know if Mercola would give it a nod.

[nukuspot]

I just ordered then cancelled the TT order until I find out more about this "gold standard" issue (or non-issue.) Please post, TT users and tell us about which you use and why the PP was told the gold label was no good?

And treespeak, the Spectrum organic, unrefined, etc. CO was the one I had been using, but posts here made it seem like it was not good...I'm more than willing to try other CO but I also want to make sure I am spending my money wisely.

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by nukuspot

And treespeak, the Spectrum organic, unrefined, etc. CO was the one I had been using, but posts here made it seem like it was not good...I'm more than willing to try other CO but I also want to make sure I am spending my money wisely.

I just think it tastes crappy. I dont' know how bad it actually is!

I feel like, on the extra limited budget we're on, that TT is the best choice for us. Sometimes I can get Nutiva cheap....but I wait for when I can get TT for a really good price. I usually go black label or green label...whatever I can get the better deal on. I do order in bulk.

Never heard anything out unsanitary! Please tell!

[onetrumpeter]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

Someone told me that TT gold label was unhealthy and unsanitary, and to get the green label. Any thoughts?

I'm researching right now - would you mind sharing if you have any more info!? Thanks!

[onetrumpeter]

one more thing - in NT, Sally Fallon says (IIRC) coconut oil should be "tasteless," but that seems to be different from what I've read on here - what about the actual coconut flavor/taste?

[Panserbjorne]

if it's expeller pressed there's no flavor. Virgin CO has a VERY coconutty flavor.

[onetrumpeter]

Originally Posted by Panserbjørne

if it's expeller pressed there's no flavor. Virgin CO has a VERY coconutty flavor.

ooooy. I've got lots to learn and I feel like all I've been doing for 30 min is researching coconut oil, lol! Thanks. I was thinking virgin=expeller. Obviously NOT - lol! Thanks!

[Koalamom]

Originally Posted by onetrumpeter

I'm researching right now - would you mind sharing if you have any more info!? Thanks!

I am going to contact my friend right away. I think what he was telling me is that the glold label is a long process and thy let the locals make it and flies are all around laying eggs in the oil and even though "fermenting" is a good thing usually, it is totaly gross in the TT gold labels method.

I haven talked to my friend for a while so I will have to ask him the specifics.

[Koalamom]

Just sent him an email...

[onetrumpeter]

Hi! Just checking to see if you've heard more about the gold label process. Their website doesn't make it seem like an unsanitary process, but still, when you're paying this much for something, you want to make the most informed decision you can (so will I get perpetually stuck in a static mode and never buy any?! LOL!)