You guys know that Trader Joe's is now carrying coconut oil, right? Because that's kind of the most awesome news ever. I may or may not have jumped with glee when I saw it on store shelves last week.
Coconut oil blasted on the food scene last year, helped along by articles like Melissa Clark's in the New York Times. The oil is solid and semi-soft at room temperature and can be used for sautéing, roasting, and even baking. Or, you know, spreading on a slice of toast like butter. The mellow coconut-y flavor of the oil lingers after cooking and makes a fresh change from the usual.
Trader Joe's coconut oil is organic and "virgin," which means it's pressed from fresh mature coconut meat. From talking to a Trader Joe's employee (who was, perhaps, even more giddy about the coconut oil than I was), I also learned that this oil is not made using hexane. It's pressed purely through mechanical action. The oil smells fresh and sweet, and looks glossy white in the jar. Now I understand why people talk about opening the jar just to smell it!
For my first foray into coconut oil cookery, I simply drizzled a few melted spoonfuls over a bowl of plain popcorn and topped it with some sea salt. Bliss. Those of you who love salty-sweet combos, you need to try this as soon as humanly possible. I'm very excited to move on to experiments with curries, roasted vegetables, and homemade energy bars.
Keep an eye out for this product at your local Trader Joe's, and cross your fingers that it's not discontinued any time soon.
What have you been making with coconut oil?
Related: Easy & Healthy Switch: Olive Oil for Butter in Baked Goods
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I also was excited when I saw this product at TJs last month but yet I still haven't purchased any only because I'm not quite sure what to do with it.
I think I did jump with glee when I saw it on the shelf! The only problem is - they always seem to be out of stock! It is such a great price there, too! Love, love, love my coconut oil! Coconut oil is yummy on toast with honey!
I haven't bought any at TJ's yet, but I probably will soon. I use coconut oil for almost all cooking/baking at my house. It works amazingly well. I don't use it for everything because not everything improves with a slight coconut-y flavor, but I'd say I use it 90% of the time.
How does the health factor compare? Isn't it the coconut oil that makes movie theater popcorn so unhealthy? Am I correct in assuming that since it is solid at room temp, it has more saturated fats?
Any legit information on this would be appreciated
I also adore coconut oil but use it as a moisturizer! My skin luuuuurves it. I have also used it to roast sweet potatoes before with great results.
But they still dont carry coconut milk or shredded coconut! :/
Coconut oil is very healthy. It is over 90% saturated fat with very little polyunsaturated fat. This means that it is extremely shelf and heat stable where other oils would oxidize and break down into free radicals.
Also, the type of saturated fat in coconut oil is mostly Medium Chain Triglycerides, which breaks down more easily than other saturated fats, and coconut oil ingestion actually has been linked to (not conclusive, but associated) faster metabolic activity.
Not only is coconut oil great on popcorn, it also makes great deodorant. Mix 6 tablespoons of coconut oil (working with it as a solid is easier for this) with 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup arrowroot powder. I added 6 drops each of tree tree oil and lavender essential oil for extra antibacterial oomph and a bit of extra scent. Works great!
This article has some info on the health benefits of coconut oil: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/coconut-oil-health-benefits/#axzz1iyPyr1jD
I LOVE it... just made the best granola with it, I think it's key to the amazing flavor.
Here's my recipe in case anyone's looking to make something with coconut oil. http://www.two-tarts.com/2012/01/homemade-coconut-almond-granola.html
Sweet potato fries baked in coconut oil are delicious too!
As LauraJane wrote, I throw a few chunks of the oil down on a roasting pan and put it in my heated oven. Take out after a few minutes and mix seasoned sweet potato chunks with the melted oil, then continue roasting. Would work well in any roasted vegetable/squash situation. Also have used for shaving my legs.:)
I don't cook with coconut oil too much, but am looking forward to doing so. However, I've been using it for some time now as a moisturizer and will never go back. Take one look at all of the crazy neurotoxins and crap in your commercial lotion on the Environmental Working Group, and go and get yourself some of this instead.
Unhealthy coconut oil out there - as jwink3101 noted - that coconut oil is partially hydrogenated - it is not virgin coconut oil. A brand of the unhealthy coconut oil that I see in the stores is Luanna. That is a very important distinction - I'm glad the commenter brought it up!
Something that I have just recently learned is that olive oil oxidizes in moderate heat(think "rancid") which makes it a poor choice for cooking(bad for you arteries). Coconut oil, though, can withstand high heat before it oxidizes which makes it perfect for cooking and baking.
We make breakfast with it: quinoa, coconut oil, and some raw cacao nibs. So good.
I buy organic coconut oil, not for cooking, but for my hair! best hair mask ever. I have super sensitive skin and as someone else said, it is a great chemical free beauty product.
Like others, great for our skin, as well as our pooches! If you have dogs with allergies or itchy skin, warm some up (not too hot) and give your dogs a nice massage, leave it on about 6 hours (if you don't like the smell of coconut, beware of where they lay down), give them a bath to rinse out the oil and they'll be itch-free with a smooth, shiny coat for awhile.
TJ's Coconut Oil is about half the price of coconut oil in my small town, a great deal.
I made magic shell for my ice cream the other night with it. 1/2 C. coconut oil to 1 1/2 C. milk chocolate chips...melt until smooth, then bring to room temp before pouring on top of ice cream. Yummy!
BTW, I also used it as a hair mask, and that was a disaster...I shampooed my hair 3-4 times, and still it left my hair looking greasy and stringy. Won't be doing that again, but yes, good moisturizer for skin!
I used to work at a movie theater that popped it's popcorn in coconut oil. It was the best.
I've been using it as a styling product for my dry hair.
I met a woman in India who had the most beautiful skin-- she was in her mid-60's but looked so much younger. She credited this to daily applications of coconut oil. I've started using coconut oil as a face, lip, body, scalp, and hair moisturizer-- it's the only product I've found that keeps everything adequately moisturized in the winter.
I use coconut oil instead of butter in rice crispy treats. It's delicious!!
I bought a jar and have been sort of stumped what to do with it. I am so glad to have all these great ideas! Sweet potatoes tonight!
Its great in oatmeal and I've been giving it to my baby in her oatmeal or other grains since she started eating solids. Great way to add some fat for kiddos!
I use the coconut oil for the hair. Take a little bit of coconut oil and massage it into the scalp. It keeps you cool in the summer and helps the hair to grow.
We also use it for seasoning our dishes.
Avial or Mixed vegetable soup for rice:
Ingredients:
1 lb frozen mixed vegetables
1 potato - medium size
1 eggplant - small size
2 tbsp - chopped spinach
2 tbsp - boiled peanuts
2 tbsp - boiled chick peas
Cut the fresh vegetables into small 1/2" cubes and boil them. Boil the peanuts and chickpeas separately as they take longer time. Once the fresh vegetables are half cooked, add the frozen vegetables and continue cooking till the vegetables are fim but cooked. Do not overcook them.
Grind 5 tbsp of grated coconut (frozen or fresh), 1 jalapeno pepper chopped, 1 tsp cumin seeds in a blender into a smooth paste.
In a saucepan slightly warm Indian yoghurt or Bulgarian buttermilk. Drain the cooked vegetables, peanuts and chickpeas. Add them all to the warm buttermilk. Add the coconut paste. Switch off the stove.
In a small pan heat 2 tsp of coconut oil, add mustard seeds and curry leaves. Once the mustard seeds crack, add the seasoning to the buttermilk mixture.
It tastes good with cooked rice or dosa (Indian Crepes) or wheat tortillas or chapatis.
I use coco oil for:
1. All cooking applications where a browning is required. It isnt as nonstick as butter or EVOO though, so youll want to brown then turn, brown then turn... I use virgin coco oil so maybe that makes a difference. In addition it can be used for any cooking really...
2. 1/2 coco oil and 1/2 butter (Kerrygold for me!) both soft. Whisk together and keep as a spread. OMG NOMS.
3. Lotion. I keep a squirt bottle in the shower and when the water warms the oil and its liquid (which BTW coco oil solid below 77F, liquid above) I rub it on before hopping out. Towel off and you have luxurious skin.
4. Hair mask. Wear on post shower hair overnight, then shower out. I admit Ive only done this 3 times but loved it!
5. Coco bark: coco oil + cocoa + a little honey + spread on wax paper and freeze for a couple min = delicious.
6. Coffee... when I really need a shot of energy I add some to my coffee or tea (1/2-1 T) and it gives me tons of energy. Makes me warm and energetic.
I recently started using it in my old family recipes that call for shortening. Just use half as much as you would shortening. For sugar cookies etc, pop in the freezer for a couple minutes before cooking to help them hold their shape.
Yes! I, too, bought this as soon as I saw it. Coconut oil is high in lauric acid, which is antimicrobial and raises good cholesterol. In the week I've had it, I've used it to make stir-fry, popcorn, curry, peanut sauce (combined with soy milk when I didn't have coconut milk), and toast with jam. You don't need much on toast to get that decadent flavor.
Coconut oil is used for making popcorn because it makes it so crispy. What makes theater popcorn unhealthy is the artificial butter stuff they put on top. I've learned this because my hubby is the biggest popcorn enthusiast I've ever met (I even put the TJ's coconut oil in his Christmas stocking).
To answer an earlier question, yes this is the same coconut oil that caused eyebrows to be raised when people learned how fat-ful their movie popcorn was. Whether or not you think coconut oil is healthy is beside the point - it was more that movie popcorn, at least back just a few years ago before the studies came out, seemed like a lower fat/lower calorie choice when at the movie theatre snack counter. But no:
This is cut from the CSPI studies:
But a medium size movie popcorn at AMC, the second largest theater chain, also pops in coconut oil but has smaller serving sizes. Its large popcorn has 1,030 calories and 57 grams of saturated fat. That's like eating a pound of baby back ribs topped with a scoop of Häagen-Dazs ice cream—except that the popcorn has an additional day’s worth of saturated fat.
I first used it to make these, highly recommended:
http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/nikkis-healthy-cookies-recipe.html
I start everyday with two spoonfuls of coconut oil in my hot cocoa (not a coffee drinker). It does wonders for my metabolism, hair, skin, and nails. It makes my cocoa taste so yummy!
After reading this, I RAN to Trader Joe's and bought 3 jars. I am in love. It is a great lotion.
I was at TJ's on Thursday and my jaw dropped when I saw this, for $5.99 no less! I immediately called my mom. Though I haven't started using it yet, I've been dying to try coco oil as an acne and eczema treatment... now that I can afford it, I'm psyched!
And if it doesn't work on my skin... I can always cook with it! Big thumbs up to Trader Joe's for this addition.
Man, all this raving about the uses of coconut oil is making me conflicted...because when I think of coconut oil all I can think of is how my grandma used to put it in her hair all the time, and how I how I absolutely, totally, utterly hated the smell of it whenever I was near her...sadly enough. :( :( :(
I use it to heal fresh tattoos...true story.
I, too, bought this as soon as I saw it at Trader Joe's. I just started using it on my lips. Love it! Also, it's a great hand moisturizer. I love the faint coconut smell as I am a coconut lover.
I want to try as a facial moisturizer, will it make me break out? Does anyone actually use it on their faces or just other body parts?
The idea to use it after the shower once the water has warmed it is a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
I use it in my morning shake with fesh pineapple, coconut water, yogurt and mixed berries!
love love love tj for adding this product.
it works great as LUBE. :-P
Coconut oil is good as a diaper rash cream (and safe for cloth diapers!)
Yes, it is delicious and a very good emoliet for skin and hair but beware that no matter how healthful coconut oil is, it is still very caloric and fattening. Just sayin'.
I am so glad I'm not the only one who's crazy happy that coconut oil is now at TJ's! $6, oh yeah.
As a vegan, I frequently sub this for butter in some cooking and baking (use not quite as much coconut oil as butter and add a touch more liquid). Many things fry up well in it.
For hair, I will scrape out just enough to coat my hands, then run my fingers all through my hair. Then shampoo extra well. After drying, it seems a tad greased but then becomes so amazingly soft and touchable. I sit around stroking it like an idiot.
It is also a nice aphrodisiac--- applied externally, liberally, in front of someone else. Enjoy, then have a good soapy shower.
I just bought some last night. After reading this now I can't wait to use it cure all that ails me, moisturize my everything, lure a man, and roast some veggies and potatoes!
As chlauraphyll noted, it makes a great ointment for diaper rash and is safe for cloth diapers. I hadn't ever noticed coconut oil on the shelf before I started cloth diapering, but now I have a big jar of it in the cupboard, with some of it scooped into a container in my diaper bag. Haven't used it much for cooking, but I'm looking forward to doing so!
I bought some Coconut Oil at Trader Joes today. I am not sure if it is hydroginated or not. It does not say on the jar label. Hydroginated coconut oil is just not good because of trans fats. Please watch
Coconut oil - A Real Eye Opener!
http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index.aspx?s=/mp4/LJO190v1_WS
If anybody knows if Trader Joes coconut oil is hydroginated please advise. Thank you.
I too saw the clip on CBN about the coconut oil, and thought I would go and get some. Was in the area of Trader Joe's and my husband said they probably would have it. Yes they did! Great price $5.99. The only question I have is how it was processed. It doesn't say on the label. I'm thinking of emailing the company to find out.
I wrote to their customer service folks yesterday, and here's what they told me about the quality of the oil and how it's processed:
Thank you for contacting us. The coconuts come from the Philippines but the it is processed here in the U.S. The coconuts are dehusked, grated, and the fresh coconut meat is cold pressed and filtered with no chemicals or preservatives added. This process retains the enzymes, lauric acid and all the other nutrients.
Our Virgin Coconut Oil is extracted from certified organic fresh coconuts without using excessive heat or harsh conditions in processing. No chemical is added. No bleaching is done. The natural nutrients and characteristics including aroma of fresh coconuts are therefore preserved. The result is a crystal clear liquid at room temperature (26 deg C) but turns solid white at temperatures below 26 deg C. It is pure 100% oil and contains no trans-fatty acid or cholesterol.
Too bad that at Trader Joe's at Madison and Sunrise (Sacramento CA), coconut oil is out of stock. I noticed that iHerb is out of Nutiva as well. Heard that since Dr. Oz's recent communique on coconut oil, it's sold out all over. Sigh.
I've been using it for a few years, taking 2 to 3 tablespoons a day. I like it better than Udo's Oil. Get a blast of energy and good mood from those MCT fatty acids. Good stuff!
I feed coconut oil to my dog every day at 1/4 tsp per 10 lbs. of body weight. It give her a glossy coat and gets rid of the doggy smell.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE coconut oil! I use it on myself, give it to my dog, cook with it...it's amazing! I have so many recipes where I use coconut oil!
I've been using it to season my cast iron. Also, it works great on lubing a sticky zipper.
i use coconut oil when making french toast. it is delicious!
I have almost completely replaced butter with coconut oil for all my cooking needs. So much healthier, and good substitute for vegan/ dairy-free diets!
I love baking with coconut oil. These banana muffins are my latest, but to be honest, it goes in almost envy thing that asks for butter (except shortbread... But now that I've typed that I think I need to try it!).
http://kaleeats.blogspot.ca/2013/01/banana-muffins-sweetened-with-dates.html?m=0#more