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Two Main Processes used for Manufacture of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

 

Starting Point

1. Quick drying of fresh coconut meat. Using this method, minimal heat is used to quick dry the coconut meat, and the oil is then pressed out via mechanical means.

2. Wet-milling. The oil is extracted from fresh coconut meat without drying first. "Coconut milk" is expressed first by pressing, then the oil is then further separated from the water. Methods which can be used to separate the oil from the water include boiling, fermentation, refrigeration, enzymes and mechanical centrifuge.

The final moisture content of the oil must be reduced to 0.1% or less to prevent the oil from becoming rancid. The manner in which this requirement is met depends on the extraction method used as described below.

DME (Direct Micro Expeller).
This oil is extracted from freshly grated coconut meat which is first dried and then pressed. Since there is still moisture in the coconut meat the liquid produced is about 90% oil and 10% water. This mixture is allowed to stand so that the oil will separate from the water. Some heat is then generally used to remove any water that remains. This oil has a light to medium texture.

Premium Virgin Oil.
This process produces oil with the least amount of processing so that the natural vitamin E, antioxidants and fresh coconut "essence" are retained. Fresh coconut meat is grated and expeller pressed to produce coconut milk (like the process below). The coconut milk is then centrifuged to separate the mixture into solid components, water and oil. This oil has a very light texture and since no heat at all is applied it retains all the flavor and scent of fresh coconut.

Traditional Hand Pressed/Home Made.
In this process, fresh coconut meat is grated and pressed to produce a coconut milk which is a mixture of oil, water, proteins, etc. The milk is then fermented for 24-36 hours, and the oil is then separated and filtered from the curds. No chemical or high-heat treatment is used. It is made by families who are coconut farmers using old-fashioned traditional methods that have been used here for hundreds of years. The coconut trees and family producers are certified organic according to strict USDA standards. This high-grade virgin coconut oil has a long shelf life due to coconut oil's natural anti-oxidant properties. It has the longest shelf life of any plant oil!

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Virgin Coconut Oil: The Healthiest Oil on Earth

Virgin Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth"says Dr. Bruce Fife, a naturopathic doctor and the author of the book The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil. Modern research seems to back up this bold statement. Once wrongly accused of increasing cholesterol levels, coconut oil is now actually being used by doctors in the treatment of a variety of disorders. Clinical studies have shown that coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, and is now even being used in treating AIDS patients and those with yeast infection. Studies conducted in the Philippines last year showed that virgin coconut oil does indeed reduce the viral load in AIDS patients.

Lauric Acid a Key Component to Health
Approximately 50% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are lauric acid. Lauric acid is a MCFA, that is formed into monolaurin in the body. Monolaurin is the antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal monoglyceride used by the human or animal to destroy lipid-coated viruses such as HIV, herpes, cytomegalovirus, influenza, various pathogenic bacteria, including listeria monocytogenes and helicobacter pylori, and protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Also, approximately 6-7% of the fatty acids in coconut fat are capric acid. Capric acid is another MCFA, which is formed into monocaprin in the body. Monocaprin has also been shown to have antiviral effects against HIV and is being tested for antiviral effects against herpes simplex and antibacterial effects against chlamydia and other sexually transmitted bacteria. (Reuters, London June 29, 1999)

Another incredible fact about virgin coconut oil is that even though it is a fat, it actually promotes weight loss!! It is a good addition to weight loss products. The reason is again because of the healthy medium chain fatty acids. These fatty acids do not circulate in the bloodstream like other fats, but are sent directly to the liver where they are immediately converted into energy, just like carbohydrates. So the body uses the fat in coconut oil to produce energy, rather than be stored as body fat. Medium chain fatty acids found in virgin coconut oil also speed up the body's metabolism burning more calories and promoting weight loss. The weight-loss effects of coconut oil have clearly been demonstrated by many researchers.