Coconut Oil: Health benefit, Origin & Use
Coconut oil has a negative reputation. But this is wrongly done, because the native coconut oil has a lot of healthy ingredients that can have a positive effect on the organism.
Coconut oil is almost colorless and has a very mild taste. It is high quality oil that should be enjoyed especially as virgin oil. It is now hard to imagine the kitchen without it.
Origin / quality features
The basis for the production of coconut oil is the pulp of the coconut, which contains a lot of fat. Virgin coconut oil is not heated, but mainly obtained through cold pressing. It has a lot of valuable ingredients. Ideally, the coconuts are processed immediately after they have been cracked, so that the fat contained in the pulp does not go rancid, which can increase the peroxide number.
Coconut oil can of course also be obtained by refining. However, this oil is not of the highest quality and has a bad reputation. Vitamin E is almost completely destroyed by the chemical treatment and bleaching. Coconuts are grown in tropical regions all over the world. The main main suppliers of coconuts are Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
Use in the kitchen
Coconut oil has a high heat resistance and can be used for frying or deep-frying without any problems. It is used particularly often in baking, for example in the production of couverture or when baking Torsten, pralines and biscuits.
Since its own taste is not particularly pronounced, it can in principle be used for any form of cooking. Coconut oil does not have to be stored refrigerated and will last up to two years. It will keep longer when refrigerated. The bottle should be protected from direct sunlight. If the storage temperature drops below 24 degrees, the oil will solidify and turn into coconut fat.
Health
Refined coconut fat should not be used if possible. The hardening process produces trans fatty acids, which have been shown to have a negative impact on the cholesterol level. This can significantly increase the risk of heart disease. Coconut oil consists of 92 percent saturated fatty acids. Lauric, caprylic and mystric acid are particularly represented, and healthy vitamin E is also contained in large quantities. Virgin coconut oil can prevent heart attacks and support the vascular system.
