Pure Coconut Oil 101: The Best Coconut Oils to Use in 2020

In this post, we have written about the best coconut oils to use in 2020, because…

People have been going crazy for coconut over the past years, and for a variety of different reasons. In fact, in 2018/19 the global production volume of coconut oil is projected to amount to 3.63 million metric tons.

That is a lot of coconut oil.

However you may still not be convinced of purchasing coconut oil and would like more information. We don’t blame you, as all of the research on coconut oil can be both overwhelming and confusing. This is especially true if you only want to use it in a few basic ways, such as for cooking and putting it in your hair.

You may also simply just want to know what is the best product you should purchase. Who manufactures and sells the best quality coconut oil? In this article, we will review and explain the best coconut oils to use in 2020.

Top Coconut Oils

We have created a list of the top coconut oils available for you to choose from. We list both their pros and cons as well as who the product would be ideal for.

Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

If you want to purchase coconut oil that has no harmful chemicals, pesticides or other nastiness, Viva naturals may be the brand for you. They produce a great coconut oil that is all-natural, non-GMO, and its ingredients are ethically and sustainably sourced from locales.

This oil has a strong taste and aroma that is perfect for putting on toast as an alternative to butter or using to fry foods. It is truly a great product to keep in your pantry and you will find yourself going to it more and more to use in your recipes when cooking. Viva Natural’s coconut oil is also cold-pressed and unrefined. 

Product features:

• It has a high smoke point of (350°F/177°C) and can be used for sautéing, frying and baking
• Made from fresh and organic coconuts
• Cold-pressed
• Certified USDA Organic
• Extra-virgin
• Serves as a butter substitute
• No refrigeration required

Pros:

• Good for low warm baking and preparing food
• The coconut oil is organic
• Kosher and vegan-friendly
• Non-GMO

Cons:

• Some bottles do not seal tight
• Cannot buy this coconut oil in a glass jar

> Check Price on Amazon << (opens in a new tab)">>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Garden of Life Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Garden of Lifes coconut oil is organic and GMO and they state that it is made from raw coconuts. It is also not deodorized or bleached, which adds to its high quality and popularity. 

The oil can be purchased in both plastic and glass bottles and they are available in various ounces. You just need to decide which is the perfect ounce for you.

It can be used to both baking, cooking stir-frying and sautéing. Since it is unrefined, there will be a mild smell and taste of coconut, but many people this is a positive and enjoy the taste. 

Always store the oil in a cool dry place like a cupboard so that it can last for as long as possible.

Product features:

• Unrefined coconut oil
• No refrigeration required
• Cold-pressed
• Certified USDA Organic
• Non GMO Project Verified
• Certified Vegan
• If stored below 76°F oil will solidify
• Pareve MK kosher, gluten free, dairy free

Pros:

• Not hydrogenated, bleached, or deodorized
• Can use in sautéing, baking cooking or in smoothies
• Made from raw organic coconuts

Cons:

• The lid can come loose

> Check Price on Amazon << (opens in a new tab)">>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Nutiva Organic Coconut Manna

This ideal for “everything” spread is great for people who want to use coconut oil in the kitchen in lots of different ways, such as in smoothies, oatmeal and desserts and a substitute for butter. Nutiva Organic Coconut Manna is sustainably farmed from coconuts in Asia and no harmful chemicals are used when the white meat of the coconuts is extracted. Nutiva also have obtained its fair trade certification.

This coconut oil is also cold-pressed, USDA certified organic, non-GMO. It also comes in a glass jar that has a BPA free lid.

Product features:

• USDA certified organic
• Non-GMO
• Sustainably farmed coconuts
• Solid at cooler temperatures and becomes spreadable when warmed
• Whole coconut puree
• No refrigeration required
• Oil is in a glass jar
• BPA free lid

Pros:

• Great in smoothies and desserts
• Spreads easily at temperatures above 73°F

Cons:

• Some customers have left reviews about it being “chalky”

> Check Price on Amazon << (opens in a new tab)">>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Carrington Farms Organic Coconut Oil

This coconut oil is great for baking and ideal for you if you are looking for a margarine or butter substitute. The oil is contained in a plastic jar and not glass. However it is certified organic and has BPA-free packaging, so you can be rest assured that Carrington Farms Organic Coconut Oil is chemical free. It also has a rich smell and coconut flavor, which is great if you enjoy the taste of coconut. 

Its high boiling point of 350 degrees Fahrenheit makes it a great oil to use when stir-frying. The oil is made using a cold-pressed process, which some people may prefer. 

Product features:

• The container size is 54 fl. oz 
• Organic 
• Unrefined
• Cold-pressed 
• Gluten free 
• Coconuts farmed from the Philippines
• Hexane free
• The packaging is BPA free

Pros:

• They filter the coconut oil four times before it arrives at your door
• High boiling point of 350 Fahrenheit 
• Strong coconut and creamy texture

Cons:

• Not available in a glass container

> Check Price on Amazon << (opens in a new tab)">>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Nutiva Organic Steam Refined Coconut Oil 

This coconut oil has been processed and extracted using steam. Some shoppers may see this as a benefit as steam is used instead of hexane or other dangerous chemicals. Because of this process, the oil is certified organic. It is farmed from Southeast Asian coconuts.

If you do not like the taste of coconut oil when cooking with it, this oil may appeal to you as it has a neutral profile and lack of odor as we know sometimes not everyone in the home appreciates the coconut aroma. The oil is good for high heat cooking such as stir-frying.

Product features:

• USDA Organic
• Non-GMO
• Kosher
• Non-Hydrogenated
• Neutral coconut scent and flavor 
• Refined 
• Extracted and processed using steam
• Southeast Asian coconuts

Pros:

• It is organic
• It is still a high quality coconut oil even though it is refined

Cons:

• The coconut flavor or smell may not be as strong as you expect

> Check Price on Amazon << (opens in a new tab)">>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Kirkland Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

This coconut oil is hexane free, deodorizer free and bleach free, and it is organic. To preserve it for as long as possible you will need to consider storing in a cool dry place, away from direct sunshine. It does not need to be refrigerated, so storing it in a cupboard will work just fine.

The coconuts that make Kirkland Organic Virgin Coconut oil are farmed from the Philippines or Vietnam. It is packaged in the US and comes in a plastic container. The oil does have a coconut taste and aroma, but it is not as strong as some of the other coconut oils on the market. 

Product features:

• Cold-pressed 
• Organic 
• Kosher 
• Good for high heat cooking up to 350 F
• Turns into a liquid at 76 degrees F or higher
• Storing in the fridge is not necessary 
• Unrefined
• Coconuts are farmed from Vietnam or the Philippines

Pros:

• Not chemically treated during production
• Retains natural coconut flavor and aroma

Cons:

• Some shoppers may not like the coconut aroma

> Check Price on Amazon << (opens in a new tab)">>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Vita Coco Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

This coconut oil is made from organically grown coconuts. Vita CoCo state that the coconut is completely shredded so that it is of the highest quality and it is made with just one ingredient – organic coconut. It does not contain any harmful chemicals and no harmful chemicals are used during its production.

It comes in a BPA-free plastic jar with a screw off cap. It has a tropical fragrance of coconut oil. It is a versatile oil and you can use it in many different ways, such as when cooking or while cleaning.

Product features:

• Unrefined
• NON-Gmo
• USDA certified organic
• Cold-pressed 
• BPA-free plastic jar
• The jar it is sold in is 16 oz
• It melts but still consumable at 77 degrees F

Pros:

• Can be used in a solid or liquid state
• Can have a shelf life of two years if it is kept in a cool, dry place
• The jar is “leakproof”

Cons:

• Does not come in a glass jar

> Check Price on Amazon << (opens in a new tab)">>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Solimo Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

This jar of coconut oil comes in 15 Fl Oz, 30 Fl Oz, 54 Fl Oz. So if you want to buy a large amount of coconut oil, it may be ideal for you. The coconuts that Splimo Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is made from are fresh and sourced directly from farmers that are based in either Sir Lanka, Vietnam or the Philipines. 

The oil can be used to cooking and will melt at 75 F and turn solid again once it is placed in a temperature that is lower than 75 F. this oil is shipping and sold by Amazon.com and is free of preservatives and artical colors.

Product features:

• Certified organic coconut oil 
• Coconuts sourced from Philippines, Sri Lanka and/or Vietnam 
• Cold-pressed 
• Unrefined
• Certified gluten-free 
• Non-GMO
• Melts at temperatures above 75 F
• no artificial colors 
• No preservatives
• Safe to use in solid and liquid form

Pros:

• Paleo-friendly 
• Has a coconut taste and aroma

Cons:

• May have a grainy texture
• Some reviewers were not fond of the smell

> Check Price on Amazon << (opens in a new tab)">>> Check Price on Amazon <<

LouAna Pure Coconut Oil

This coconut oil is processed and isn’t organic. This may affect the popularity of the product as The Organic Trade Association has shown that 81% percent of families with kids say they purchase organic products at least sometimes.

However the oil can be used in baking and frying with a smoke point of 350°F. It is packaged in a plastic jar and a screw cap. It has no coconut taste or smell because it is refined, and this may appeal to some people who do not like coconut but want to use it while they are cooking. Some people also use LouAna pure coconut oil on their hair.

Product features:

• Non-GMO
• Non-hydrogenated
• 350°F smoke point
• Refined 
• Not organic
• Kosher friendly
• Processed 
• Packaged in a plastic jar 
• Sold in a 30 fl oz container
• LouAna coconut oil ingredients: 100% pure coconut oil

Pros:

• No coconut aroma or taste

Cons:

• The oil is not organic
• The oil is processed  
• some people who left a LouAna coconut oil review stated that it was expensive

> Check Price on Amazon << (opens in a new tab)">>> Check Price on Amazon <<

KTC – Pure 100% Virgin Coconut Oil

This oil is a very versatile, all-purpose cooking that will infuse your food with a delicious aroma of coconut oil. It is both unrefined and cold-pressed, which means it benefits from being unbleached and non-deodorized. KTC 100% pure coconut oil is sometimes known to be of premium quality

The oil in solid form and is packaged in a glass jar. It must be stored at room temperature and away from direct sunlight. Some people use KTC coconut oil for hair care.

Product features:

• Pure 100% coconut oil
• The KTC coconut oil bottle is glass
• Kosher
• Cold-pressed
• Unrefined 

Pros:

• Suitable for vegetarians
• Non-deodorized
• Non-hydrogenated 

Cons:

• Some KTC coconut oil reviews stated that it contains a strong coconut aroma

> Check Price on Amazon << (opens in a new tab)">>> Check Price on Amazon <<

Parachute 100% Pure Coconut Oil 

This oil is different than the rest of the coconut oils we reviewed in the article as it is advertised for hair use and comes in liquid form in a bottle. Some people ask “is parachute coconut oil pure?”, and the answer is, yes. It is made of 100% pure coconuts and doesn’t contain any chemicals. Available in multiple sizes, Parachute Coconut Oil may work as a detangler.

Parachute Coconut Oil is one of the oldest, which originated in India. 

Product features:

• 100% pure coconut oil
• Not organic
• Packaged in a plastic container
• No artificial ingredients
• Parachute coconut oil ingredients: 100% coconut oil

Pros:

• No chemicals 

Cons:

• Some shoppers left the review that it left an unpleasant smell

>> Check Price on Amazon <<

What is Coconut Oil

Long before globalization, coconut oil used to be a rare commodity that was only available in certain tropical exotic locations around the world. Thanks to the advancement in technology, pure coconut oil is being mass produced today and distributed to all corners of the globe.

Today, pure coconut oil can be seen being sold in bottles, jars, capsules and the like, even in places where people have never seen a coconut or a coconut tree. This is undoubtedly a result of the great demand for unrefined coconut oil in the global market.

A Highly Versatile Product

Coconut oil is one of the most versatile and natural products in the world, which is most likely a result of it having a variety of uses. You have coconut oil for cooking and consumption, to name a few.

The coconut is modified to produce coconut oil pills, coconut oil in a tub or coconut oil capsules. Needless to say, a coconut oil is great to cook with. Nowadays, you can even also come across shampoos (coconut oil shampoos) or hair products where coconut oil is the main ingredient.

Refreshing Flavour

If you are buying pure coconut oil from a well known vendor, you can expect to have a product which is made with fresh coconuts. The secret behind coconut oil’s incredible ability to improve human health lies in the freshness of its ingredients.

This is something that you will not get with synthetic or artificial products, regardless of how much advanced technology was incorporated in its production. Since pure coconut oil is not deodorized, it exudes the blissful scent of refreshing tropical coconuts.

Multipurpose Oil

As mentioned before, coconut oil is a highly versatile commodity. However, most coconut oil products are advertised as hair care products. There are very few coconut oil products which are promoted as multipurpose oils.

Among them, KTC Coconut Oil stands out. KTC Coconut Oil may not be the best coconut oil for hair, but it is a wonderful product that will serve you in a multitude of ways. The oil can be applied on your hair, used for cooking and even massaged on your body.

Ways to Use Coconut Oil

If you have never used pure coconut oil before, then it is about time that you start doing so. Unadulterated coconut oil products can benefit your life in a number of ways, including making your coffee sweeter and using it as an oil to fry food with.

You might have to do a little bit of research when seeking to find out which is the best coconut oil for you. Once you get your hands on the right product however, you will never revert back to the synthetic commercial kind. Here are the top reasons why you should make coconut oil an important part of your life:

Coconut Oil in Coffee and Tea

Coconut oil in coffee and tea tastes delicious. So whichever hot drink you prefer – adding coconut oil to it will give you an easy way of incorporating all of its health benefits into your lifestyle. Not only will it make your coffee sweeter, it can make your tea sweeter. You can even carry some around with you in a class bottle or jar if you will be on the go, and then add it to your hot beverage.

Coconut Oil Make Up Remover

Leaving make up on any longer than needed will cause your pores to clog up. Coconut oil is an excellent way to remove make up, at any time of the day. In fact it is very effective and far more gentle than most ready made beauty make up removers available today.

By using it to remove your makeup, you will be not only giving your skin the option to breathe, it will also be getting lots of moisture. Top Tip: remove your eye makeup first with a soft towel and then steam your pores afterward.

Daily Detangler

If you have long hair, then tangled hair must be the most despicable sight in your eyes. Everybody hates to struggle with tangled hair. This is exacty where coconut oil can offer some much needed assistance.

If you use coconut hair oil on a daily basis, you will find it much easier to keep your hair from being tangled. Even if it does become tangled, simply apply the oil to soften and detangle it.

Coconut Oil for Butter

Coconut oil is a great alternative to butter and this is simply because it is spreadable. In fact not only is it spreadable, but it also tastes delicious on foods like toast. You can even add it to baking recipes. This is also a great method to incorporate into baking, especially for people who do not digest dairy well, or for those who are vegans.

Remove a Stuck Ring from your Finger

There is nothing more annoying and slightly worrying than when a ring gets stuck on your finger. All you need to do is grab your tub of organic virgin coconut oil and rub some of it on your finger and around the ring. After a minute or so it should slide right off. Not only will you have got both your ring and finger back, but your finger will now be moisturized.

Clean Makeup Brushes With Coconut Oil

Makeup brushes need to be cleaned regularly in order to keep applying makeup both effectively and beautifully. You can do this by using liquified coconut oil. The oil itself will not only remove the grime and old makeup off your brushes but also nourish and protect them during the process. All you need to do is rinse the brushes with water afterwards.

Homemade Soap

Homemade coconut oil soap has been increasing in popularity and it can be made using the soap making process, which is when the oil is transformed into a hardened state. The fatty acid and minerals within the coconut oil are what causes the benefits when used on the skin. In fact, the oil has been known to remove dead skins and dirt from the skin. Below is a video that demonstrates how to make your own coconut oil

Can Remove Stubborn Gum

If you ever have had a few strands of hair attached to a piece of gum, you know how annoying it can, and let’s be honest, for those of us that love our hair, quite scary, as we never want to get the scissors out to remove it. There is now an alternative, which is applying coconut oil directly to the gum, as much as you need. Let it sit for a quick second, and then slide the gum off your hair. Easy Peasy!

Homemade Coconut Oil Candle

Burning candles in the home, to a lot of people, is extremely relaxing and something they would never live without. However with more and more information coming to light about toxicity in the environment and its contribution to cancer, we cannot ignore that fragrances and other chemicals may be damaging our health. This includes those from scented candles, no matter how relaxing they are. A great alternative would be to make homemade coconut oil candles, which can be extremely affordable, they just need a little bit of your time. If you would also prefer naturally scented candles, simply add an essential oil to them.

Using Coconut Oil As Deodorant

This works! Trust me, folks, as I use coconut oil every single day as a deodorant. I was hesitant to try it, as I didn’t believe it would work, so you can guess I was pleasantly surprised when it did. 

Using Coconut Oil in the Kitchen 

Coconut oil is a great alternative cooking oil if you are looking to use something other than the very common and well known olive and vegetable oils. 

It has a melting point of 76°F. This means that when it is stored below 76°F it will solidify and when it is above 76°F it will melt.

It can handle high heat, which is why it is suitable for baking, roast and frying. 

If you don’t know where to get started though on using the oil, there are many kitchen techniques available that you can use to start cooking it. Let’s go into these in more detail.

Baking with Coconut Oil 

Coconut oil has established itself as a versatile baking staple. The oil works great in cookies, muffins, vegan desserts and much more. 

Coconut oil is a good replacement for butter when baking food. All you need do to is simply swap out an equal amount of the recipe’s measurements of the butter for coconut oil. 

Top tip: Make sure the coconut oil is at a solid room temperature so that it is the same texture of butter.

Remember, you can also use coconut oil to grease your baking pans and other oven-safe pans. This may come in handy when you have ran out of your other products. It works a charm, too.

Roast Food With Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is great for roasting when you want your vegetables or the skin of your chicken to be extra crisps. Make sure to only add a little oil, though, as a little goes a long way.

For the majority of your vegetables you will need to toss them in melted coconut oil, and then pop them into the oven to roast.

Or course, adjust the amount of oil you use depending on your individual tastes. Keep trying until you find the right amount that works for you.

Coconut Oil for Frying Food

Let be honest, some of us simply can’t resist our fried foods. whether you want to cook meat, vegetables, fish or eggs, you can fry them all with coconut oil. 

Frying with coconut oil is very easy. Just fry the foods as you would usually with other oils. Heat the pan and add the required amount, let it melt and place your food into the pan and fry!

What to Consider Before Buying Coconut Oil

There is one downside that comes with coconut oil becoming so popular across the globe, and that’s the variety of coconut oil products you have to choose from. They have different labels, names and terms on their packaging and sometimes can be hard to understand.

Below are X important things to look out for when you make your purchase.

Unrefined and Not Refined

Knowing how the coconut is refined will tell you a lot about the quality of coconut oil you will be purchasing. 

Refined coconut oil goes through the process of includes bleaching and deodorization, also known as RBD. It is made from dried coconut meat.

Unrefined coconut oil is commonly known as “pure” or “virgin” and it has a light coconut taste and aroma. It is mechanically pressed and no chemicals are used to extract the oil.

Coconut Oil Packaging 

You will find coconut oil typically comes in either plastic or glass containers. If you do purchase coconut oil in a plastic container, make sure it is BPA-free.

If you use a glass container there won’t be a chance the oil smelling like plastic. You would need to be more careful, though, when handling the glass bottle than you would if it was plastic.

Storing Coconut Oil

You should always store your coconut oil if a cool and dry place away from light in the kitchen since it has a low melting point. 

I recommend avoiding storing coconut oil in the bathroom as the temperature can often fluctuate, which can introduce moisture in the oil.

Fair Trade

When you buy Fair Trade certified oils you are supporting the fair treatment and wages for the coconut farmers. 

Wrapping up the Best Coconut Oils to Use

This is our roundup of the best coconut oils to use in 2020 and how you can use them in your day-to-day life. Since coconut oil is so popular you are fortunate that you have many brands and different types to choose from.