For those who asked about coconut oil – whether you can taste the coconut. I will not say that you cannot taste it. I will say that we had a friend over for lunch recently and she detested coconut. I fried some chicken in the coconut oil and she never noticed. I asked her if she tasted coconut and she said “I’m not sure” so I think the answer is . . you do not taste it but I’m not going to say you do not. It does smell when I’m frying in it. Vince thinks it makes the house smell like an island. Yep, there are so many islands in central Texas . . . what’s one more? 🙂
I seem to be at a point in my life where I trust fewer and fewer resources. Years ago we were told coconut oil was horrible for us. Now, it’s being touted as a “superfood”. Of course, I have not one any kind of independent testing on coconut oil and must rely on research done by others. On thing I read says it’s the best thing ever; the next thing I read says avoid it completely.
What I can tell you with certainty is that we’re only using coconut oil, olive oil and real butter and probably more coconut oil than ever before because I’ve fried chicken several times for salads and I’ve fried scallops once for salad (put on top of a big green salad) and we’re losing weight, my blood pressure is down and I’ll be anxious to see what my cholesterol numbers are when it is checked again. We feel good and I think my complexion already looks better. Is it the coconut oil that’s causing an improvement? Probably not but everything seems to be working together to create good results for us.
I order the Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil in the 54 oz. containers/2 per pack through subscribe & save at Amazon. There are smaller containers available. Refined coconut oil is available but it has been processed so that there is no odor or taste. I’ve read that it has been bleached and deodorized. No thanks! Also, some refined coconut oils have been hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated which could mean they now have trans-fats.
If you feel like there are benefits to using coconut oil and if you like the taste and smell, use the extra virgin cold pressed oil. If you don’t like the smell or the taste . . use something else but I would not recommend using refined coconut oil at all.
Vegetable shortening melts at between 117º and 119º. Coconut oil melts at 76º.
I first began using coconut oil several years ago because it is more shelf stable than many other oils and it’s part of my “prepping” supplies.
Do your own research and decide what’s best for you.
FrancesB says
Wow. Judy, we are on the same page when it comes to fat in the diet! We also only use olive oil, coconut oil, and some butter. I find coconut oil works quite well in baking, and you can rub it into your dry skin — it’s a great emollient! I love reading your blog!
Julie L. says
As well as cooking with it, I keep a small container of coconut oil in my shower and use it on my hair and on my skin. I love it!
Cathy Stoddard says
Love coconut oil!! Makes the BEST pie crust!
I buy the case of gallons directly from Nutiva. Best price and free shipping. It is all we use except for butter on the table.
JudyL says
Cathy, that’s not the best price. At Nutiva, one gallon is $79.99 (or .62/oz). At Amazon, one gallon is $75.32, or .59/oz.
At Amazon, with subscribe & save, I’m getting two 54 oz containers for $36.90, which is .34/oz. so that’s quite a bit less than buying it in one gallon sizes.
Peg H says
I’ve been using coconut oil for many years and LOVE it. Besides all the great things y’all have mentioned I find that tortillas fried in coconut iul for tacos are da bomb – light, crispy and not greasy at all. Have you had the same results frying chicken with it? I don’t fry chicken but may try it now. I’ve never ever noticed a coconut smell or taste when cooking with it, and Better Half heartily dislikes coconut; I think he’d notice the smell or taste. I’m so excited & happy for y’all hearing your healthy lifestyle results!
Lee says
I’m fairly new to coconut oil and the first time I bought it, it was from Walmart and I couldn’t tell you if it was refined or not. It had a coconut smell, but not a coconut taste. The most recent coconut oil I purchased from Costco, it more strongly smells like coconut, and in some things I can taste a slight coconut flavor. Neither my husband nor son like coconut, so I’m careful about what I use it until they ‘get used to it’, lol.
Glen in Louisiana says
I use coconut oil all the time. It is not metabolized like regular oils I your body so t doesn’t get turned into fat. Nice. Abpnd I lip over it on raisin toast in the morning!!!
Sherry says
I have had similar results with coconut oil. I also find it aids in digestion compared to other oils. Have you tried it as a topical? I use a combination of half coconut oil-half beeswax that I pour in little molds for a lotion bar. The two are melted in a small crockpot (takes a long time for the beeswax) and then poured into the molds. I feel it helps with the small wrinkles on my face. I prefer natural to chemicals when possible.
Margie says
I hear that avacodo oil is the new “best thing for you” fat.
SarahB says
We made the switch to Coconut oil for our “solid” oils a year ago and haven’t looked back. I use Olive Oil and homemade applesauce for baking when needing “wet” oils. For sautéing we use real, unsalted butter or the olive oil. I think it made a difference in my ADHD son when we eliminated all the processed and “man-made” chemicals!
Carolyn Sullivan says
I too use coconut oil. I often will add it to the veg oil if I’m frying something. It can raise the temp that the oil is cooking at.
Thanks for the heads up on the amazon purchase price. I didn’t know that.