What Is Virgin Coconut Oil & What Are Its Benefits

What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

Virgin coconut oil is the oil extracted from coconuts without the application of heat. It is rapidly gaining popularity throughout the world in comparison to ordinary coconut oil and for a good reason. Virgin coconut oil differs from regular coconut oil in significant ways. These differences mainly lie with the source (more specifically, the physical form of the source), the method of extraction, and its subsequent benefits.The main difference between regular and virgin coconut oil lies in the processing of their extraction. The former is extracted by cold compression or cold milling of Copra (another name for dried Coconut kernels) with a moisture content of around six percent. The latter is extracted from coconut milk obtained from fresh coconuts. Thereafter, using processes such as fermentation, churning (centrifugal separation), refrigeration, and the action of enzymes, the oil is separated from the water or moisture. In some cases, this fresh coconut oil is boiled to obtain the oil by evaporating the water or moisture.

However, in the case of virgin coconut oil, the raw materials and the process of extraction should not allow any involvement of heat. Therefore, in good and reputable firms that manufacture virgin coconut oil, utmost care is taken to ensure that the kernels and the raw material, (i.e. the coconut milk), are not subjected to heat or sunlight, throughout the whole process. In some cases, virgin coconut oil is also extracted directly by cold compression of fresh dried coconut meat. This is called Micro-expelling.

Virgin coconut oil extracted by the cold compression method is considered better than that extracted by the fermentation method since the oil extracted by fermentation has higher moisture content and goes rancid quicker. If you ever need to melt it, do not put it directly in the heat. Instead, put it in a small cup and place the cup in warm water.

Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil

Since it is not subjected to heat (or even if it is a very low heat), or sunlight, and is extracted from fresh (non-dried) coconuts with a different process of extraction, virgin coconut oil is certainly richer in benefits than ordinary coconut oil. It is higher in vitamin content, antioxidants (which are nil or negligible in ordinary coconut oil), minerals, medium-chain fatty acids, taste, fragrance, and even the amount of protein.

The shelf life of virgin coconut oil is much longer than any other edible oil and its variant, the RBD (Refined Bleached Deodorized) coconut oil.

Virgin Coconut Oil Price

As we all know, good things often come at a price. Virgin coconut oil is no exception to that rule. It is dearer than regular coconut oil (since the production is more complicated and costlier). The prices may vary depending on the manufacturer, quality, and quantity (retail and bulk). Regardless of those small differences, it almost inevitably costs more than its ordinary counterpart.