Coconut oil is made by extracting oil through different processes from the coconut meat of mature fresh coconuts which are harvested from the coconut palm Cocos Nucifera. Coconut oil is has about 6 different saturated fatty acids which include Lauric Acid (48%), Myristic acid (16%), Palmitic acid(9.5%), Caprylic acid (7%), one monosaturated fatty acid which is Oleic (6.5%), others (5%).
Due to its high saturated fatty acid content, health authorities including the World Health Organisation (WHO) have warned that it should not be consumed regularly because studies have revealed that it increases total blood cholesterol levels, both HDL and LDL, which in turn leads to high risk of Cardio Vascular disease.
Uses Of Coconut Oil
Despite its high saturated fat content (similar to that of animal fat), virgin coconut oil has become widely used in recent years due to its sweet nutty flavour.
1. It is used in cooking especially in frying. I personally like to use it to fry eggs. It is commonly used to make baked goods, pastries, pop corn and sautés. It adds calories and saturated fat to snacks leading to increased energy balance and weight gain.
2. In some parts of the world, such as the Philipines, it is used as diesel engine fuel, to power generators and transport engines. In the islands of the Pacific, it is used as engine lubricants and transformer oil.
3. For beauty and personal uses as mineral oil, moisturizer for mild to dry skin. Studies have proved that, it reduces loss of protein when used for hair.
4. It is a base ingredient in soap making. Soaps made with coconut oil though hard, retain moisture than those made with other oils.
Other Uses
- It was used in India before the advent of electricity for lighting or illumination.
- Used to make repellents for preventing bug bites.
- Acids derived from coconut oil are used as herbicides.
- Coconut oil and it's fatty acids are used as raw materials in the manufacture of surfectants such as Cocamide DEA and MEA.
Making cold pressed coconut oil at home is very easy when you do it carefully.
Requirements
10 coconuts, separated from shell, grated
5 cups of warm water
A box grater or blender
A large bowl
A seive
2 clean transparent jars with lid
A Scooping spoon
Clean dry bottle for storing oil
Procedure
1. Grate all shelled coconuts in a large bowl.
2. Add warm water and mix with hands for a few minutes.
3. Sieve to separate the coconut milk from chaff.
4. Pour the coconut milk in the jars and place lids.
5. Keep jars in a warm place or on shelf undisturbed for about 24 hours.
6. Bring jars down carefully in order not to mix the separated water with the upper layer which contains the oil.
7. Open jars and carefully shift the thick whitish substance to the side, you will see the pure coconut oil!
8. Scoop the oil out carefully in order not to mix it with the water beneath.
9. Pour oil in desired dry storing container of choice.
10. Store in a cool dry place or in the refrigerator.
Tips:
With this method, not all the oil will be scooped out but majority of it. If you do not want to waste it, after scooping out the pure oil, pour the whitish substance in a pot and heat for the remaining oil to come out. Store heated oil separately and use as pre shampoo or pre hair wash oil. Oil lasts for up to 8 months if there is no water in it.
Enjoy the sweet nutty flavour of this natural oil. Let me know how it turned out for you, catch you next time, cheers!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment