Frequently Asked Questions about Coconut Oil
1. Is Coconut oil a Healthy or Unhealthy Saturated Fat?
Answer: Most saturated fats contain long chain fatty acids which are not easily broken down by the body and therefore are stored as fat. Coconut oil on the other hand contains an unusually large amount of short and medium chain fatty acids which are easily metabolized by the body and used as energy.
2. How is your virgin coconut oil different from other coconut oils on the market?
Answer: Our virgin coconut oil is made by hand using a DME (Direct Micro Expelling Process) which maintains the integrity and health properties of the oil. Our virgin coconut oil comes from mature organic coconuts and is produced an hour after cracking the nut. We use a cold press process and do not, process, bleach or deodorize our oil.
3. How do I use virgin coconut oil?
Answer: Since it is a stable cooking oil, you can simply replace unhealthy oils in your diet with VCNO. Since it is a solid most of the time at room temperature or when refrigerated, it can be a butter or margarine substitute for spreads or for baking. Any recipe calling for butter, margarine, or any other oil can be substituted for VCNO. It is popularly mixed in with “smoothies.” Many people simply eat it by the spoon full.
4. How is VCNO different from other coconut oils?
Answer: When purchasing coconut oil, one must determine between “virgin” and “refined.” The determining characteristic of virgin coconut oils is that they are made from fresh coconuts, and they have the distinct aroma and taste of coconuts present.
5. How much should I use a day?
Answer: The nutrients of coconut oil mainly come from medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). The best comparison in nature is human breast milk. To equal the amount of MCFAs a nursing infant would receive in one day, an adult needs about 3.5 tablespoons of VCNO a day.
6. Can I use it on my skin and hair?
Answer: Virgin coconut oil has been used for centuries as a skin and hair moisturizer. Apply liberally to the skin as needed and add a small amount to your hair a few hours before washing.
7. Do I need to store VCNO in the refrigerator?
Answer: No. Since VCNO is very stable it does not need to be stored in the refrigerator. It is recommended that you keep it out of direct sunlight and store in a cool, dry place. At room temperatures VCNO will last for 2 – 3 years.
8. Is coconut oil a liquid or a solid?
Answer: At or below 75 degrees (25* C) VCNO will be in a solid form. Above 75 degrees it will be in a liquid form. It can be stored in a liquid or solid form.
9. Is your coconut oil organic?
Answer: We use only wild and organic coconuts and are in the process of becoming certified organic. We collect our coconuts from “wild areas” and pesticide free farms. We have documentation from the Kenyan Department of Agriculture certifying that pesticides, chemicals and contaminates have not been used in the region where we collect.
10. Since your coconut oil is made in a rural setting, are sanitary conditions in processing a concern?
Answer: No. On the contrary, our VCNO receives much more special care and attention than most mass-produced machine-made coconut oil. All of our workers and farmers undergo strict training on quality and hygiene. We abide by international food processing standards and we test each batch of oil to ensure quality. In addition our VCNO is certified organic by USDA standards.