In this blog we are going to tell you about Difference between Refined Coconut Oil and Unrefined Coconut Oil, so read this blog carefully to get the complete information.
Coconut oil is known to be one of the most popular cooking oils all over the world. It is traditionally utilized as one of the main sources of fat in Pacific and Asian countries. It is a plant-based fat that has excellent properties that other oils do not have. But most people do not know the difference between Refined and Unrefined Coconut Oil and thus do not use them properly. So in this article, we will tell you the differences between them so that you can know which oil is better for your needs and where you should use which type of oil in specific instances.
What is Refined Coconut Oil?
Refined coconut oil is an oil that is further refined and processed after extraction from the coconut. It is also popular as RBD oil which means refined, bleached, and deodorized. It is processed by using dried coconut other than fresh to remove the copra as it cannot be consumed. It has no detectable amino acids. It contains low quantities of free fatty acids along with low moisture and small amounts of volatile matter. It is yellow and its aroma and taste are neutral and not nutty. This oil can withstand high temperatures and so can be used for deep frying foods. It is readily available and less costly and is usually used in soaps, skin moisturizers, or as bath oils.
What Is Unrefined Coconut Oil?
Unrefined Coconut Oil is also known as VCO (Virgin Coconut Oil). It is extracted directly from the fresh mature kernel of the coconut and thus not processed further like refined coconut oil. It is the most natural unprocessed form of coconut oil. It is only processed by physical and natural methods like mechanical expeller pressing, centrifuge, or cold-pressing. It can be processed by two methods: the wet method or the dry method. It contains a small number of amino acids. It has high quantities of fatty acids along with high moisture and large amounts of volatile matter. It is colorless and has an aroma and nutty coconut taste that can vary from mild to intense. It is more expensive than refined coconut oil and thus not easily available. But its production is expanding in countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Major Differences between Refined and Unrefined Coconut Oil
The following are the main differences between Refined Coconut Oil and Unrefined Coconut Oil mentioned below:
- Refined Coconut oil is processed extensively from a dried coconut while Unrefined Coconut Oil is directly extracted from fresh coconut.
- Refined oil is also known as RBD oil as it is then refined, bleached, and deodorized while unrefined oil is also known as VCO or Virgin Coconut Oil which is simply extracted.
- In the process of refined coconut oil, high heat and solvents are used while it is not the same process for unrefined coconut oil.
- Refined coconut oil is also bleached and deodorized while unrefined coconut oil is not bleached and deodorized.
- Unrefined Coconut Oil contains amino acids, tocopherols, and antioxidants while refined coconut oil does not contain so.
- Refined oil is yellow and has a natural aroma and taste while unrefined oil is colorless and has a nutty aroma and taste.
- Unrefined coconut oil has a high quantity of phytosterols in comparison to refined coconut oil as unrefined oil has phytosterols at 0.096% and refined oil has phytosterols at 0.032%.
- Refined Coconut oil contains 4.10% w/w of triglycerides while Unrefined Coconut Oil contains 1.5% w/w of triglycerides.
Conclusion
Besides having similar nutrient profiles, Refined Coconut Oil and Unrefined Coconut Oil are significantly different. Refined Coconut oil has a milder aroma and flavor but a high smoke point while unrefined coconut oil which is less processed and has a strong coconut flavor but a low smoke point. People who are more concerned with their diet quality than macronutrient content should follow a diet that consists of minimally processed foods. So unrefined coconut oil would be the better option for them as it is less processed. Therefore, depending on your need for the oil, you can decide which is better suited for you. But overall, both refined and unrefined coconut oils are an amazing source of healthy fat.
I Hope this blog is sufficient enough to provide the information about Difference between Refined Coconut Oil and Unrefined Coconut Oil. Thanks for reading this blog.
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