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Does coconut butter need to be refrigerated


Coconut Butter - Here's Everything You Need To Know!

Coconut Butter – What is it? Where do I buy it? Can I make my own? Is it the same thing as coconut oil? And how on earth do I use it?

Bring out the mittens? In Texas summertime, it’s considered a cold front if the temperature doesn’t reach 100 degrees. Today, therefore, we’re experiencing a cold front. It’s only going to be 99. The sweltering weather is bad for almost everything: growing plants, running outdoors, paying your air-conditioning bill… However, there’s one thing you can do really well in the heat:

Make homemade coconut butter!

It took me just 10 minutes to make an entire jar’s-worth of coconut butter yesterday. Then I spent much more time chasing the capricious light all around my little house, trying to photograph said coconut butter.

Repeatedly eating my props didn’t help. 😕

This stuff is dangerous.

I can go through a jar of homemade or Artisana coconut butter in less than a week.

My favorite way to eat it is to spread it into candy molds, freeze, and eat what I call “Coconut Melties” straight from the freezer. Or spread the coconut butter on banana bread or stir it into oatmeal… I love that too. Here is a link to all of my coconut butter recipes:

70 Healthy Coconut Butter Recipes


Coconut Butter & Coconut Oil FAQ

Over and over, I’m receiving the same questions regarding coconut butter and coconut oil.

While I try to answer as many of these questions as I can in the comment section, I understand why no one would want to read though the overwhelming number of comments (many of which are repeats) to see if a particular question about coconut butter has been answered. To make it easier, I’ve rounded up the most-frequently-asked coconut butter questions and am posting the answers all in one place.

Tip: Did you know that if you press “control f” you can search for a key word on any webpage? This trick has saved me a lot of time, and I wish more people knew about it!

1. Can I make my own coconut butter?

Yes! You can find the easy recipe here: How To Make Coconut Butter. 

2. Is there a difference between coconut oil and coconut butter?

There is definitely a difference between the two. Think peanut butter vs. peanut oil. One is thick and smooth, while the other is liquid at room temperature. Coconut butter includes the meat of the coconut, while coconut oil does not.

3. Can I use coconut oil whenever a recipe calls for coconut butter?

It depends on the recipe. Many recipes that call for coconut butter won’t be the same if you substitute coconut oil. Some readers say they’ve successfully made my fudge recipes with the oil instead of the butter, but I wouldn’t recommend it for best results. Coconut butter will yield a much richer texture. Same thing with the candy or peppermint bark recipes I’ve posted.

However, it is fine to use in the famous Coconut Crack Bars.

4. How do I melt hardened coconut butter?

Coconut butter is strange. Depending on the climate (temperature and humidity), it can be smooth, liquidy, rock-hard, or even crumbly. It also burns very quickly, so I’d caution against trying to microwave the jar, at least for anything longer than 15 seconds. A few options: You can stick it in a warm (not hot) oven for a few minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 F and stick the coconut butter inside immediately after turning the oven on. Take it out after five minutes–the oven will never actually get up to 350 degrees. Often, after I’ve cooked something, I’ll turn the oven off and then stick the coconut butter jar into the oven as it cools. Or you can make a water bath (I haven’t done this, but I know others have). Or, if you only need a small amount, you can take some out and place it on a candle warmer. If it’s too dry, I like to melt a little virgin coconut oil and stir it into the coconut butter to get it smooth again.

Or… just come to Texas.

5. My attempt at homemade coconut butter never turned into butter. What did I do wrong?

Maybe nothing. I’ve never encountered problems making homemade coconut butter, and it works for many others as well… but for some reason (it might have to do with climate), a few readers aren’t able to achieve the buttery spread. For best results, be sure to use a whole bag so there’s enough to blend smoothly. Also, if it’s not getting smooth, add a little melted virgin coconut oil to the blender.

6. When making coconut butter, can I sub ____ for the shredded coconut?

I’ve only tried this with Let’s Do Organic brand unsweetened coconut shreds or unsweetened coconut shreds from the bulk aisle of the grocery store. So I don’t know if works with sweetened coconut shreds, reduced-fat coconut shreds, or fresh coconut.

7. How do you store coconut butter?

Store homemade coconut butter in a sealed container or glass jar. There is no need to refrigerate it, and the coconut butter will last for at least a few months in the pantry… that is if you don’t eat it all first! Mine lasts for about a day. Seriously, I might have an addiction…

8. Where can I buy coconut butter?

While coconut butter used to be hard to find, it’s now widely available even in regular grocery stores. Look in the natural food section of most grocery stores, or try the nut butter aisle of Whole Foods or your local health food store. You can also find it online at stores like Vitacost, Thrive Market, iHerb, Swanson, and Amazon. Brands that sell coconut butter include Artisana, Maranatha, Nutiva, Nikki’s, and Dastony.

 

 

 

Links Of The Day:

Ryan Reynolds Blondie Bars

 

Healthy Cookie Dough Dip

(The original version of the internet famous recipe!)

 

More About The Cookbook

 

FAQs — Coconut Kitchen coconut butters

 

What exactly is coconut butter? Do I use it like coconut oil?

Coconut butter is similar to any other nut butter but it’s base is coconut meat instead of peanuts or almonds, which is what makes is so versatile.    Coconut butter’s relationship to coconut oil is the same as peanut butter’s relationship to peanut oil; one is used as a cooking oil and the other is an ingredient that can be used in many different ways.  

How do I use coconut butter?

Coconut butter is so versatile, its uses are really only limited by the creativity of the person using it. Here are some of the ways we like to use it.

  • In our smoothies, protein shakes, oatmeal or coffee
  • Spread on banana, apple or zucchini bread
  • On top of our yogurt, cottage cheese, cereal or granola
  • Warmed up and used as a dip for fruit, cookies, potato chips or bacon (if you like that salty-sweet thing)
  • Spread on pancakes, French toast, crepes or a peanut butter sandwich
  • Drizzled over ice cream or frozen yogurt
  • Mix with your favorite protein powder and some chia seeds
  • On top of sweet potatoes
  • Delicious as a sauce for chicken, fish, tofu or stir fry. Just mix it with a little hot sauce or peanut butter and chili sauce and warm.
  • Straight off of the spoon!
  • For a healthy home made energy bar, mix with your favorite protein powder and nuts, seeds and dried fruit and refrigerate.

What do you use to sweeten your coconut butter?

We try to limit the sugars we add to our products because we value the health integrity of the coconut and are diligent in maintaining it. We believe that stevia is the healthiest non-sugar alternative and is our sweetener of choice. Read further about our choice of liquid stevia, Sweetleaf Clear.

What are the ingredients in SweetLeaf® Stevia Sweetener?
It is a combination of stevia, silica, and the world’s finest inulin.

America’s body-friendly sweetener, SweetLeaf Stevia Sweetener is a sweetening alternative with zero calories, zero carbohydrates, and a non-glycemic response. Silica is a naturally occurring substance recommended by the FDA as an anti-caking agent in many powdered foods. Inulin is a soluble vegetable fiber, which nourishes the good intestinal flora that support immune function and promotes digestive function.

To learn more, check out the SweetLeaf website:

http://sweetleaf.com/about/faqs/

Is there any dairy in your coconut butter? How about gluten, peanuts or soy?

Nope. All of our products products are gluten, soy, peanut and dairy free.  

Is your coconut butter raw?

Because we cannot always control the heat of the equipment we use to make our coconut spreads, we cannot call our products raw.

Does coconut butter contain any tree nuts?

We do use tree nuts in some of our flavors like Cinnamon Raisin and other seasonal flavors. The three nuts we use in our kitchen include almonds, pecans and walnuts. The nuts are used in the same kitchen but never on the same equipment as the products that are nut-free. We occasionally produce energy bars that include nuts as well.

I just received my coconut butter and when I dipped my spoon in the jar for the first time and broke through the top “crust” there was a hole or void in the center of the jar.  Is this normal or did I receive less than 9 oz?

We carefully fill all of our jars by weight so you can be sure that you are receiving the full amount of coconut butter you paid for. The void in the center is completely normal and a byproduct of our cold air setting process.   The coconut butter solidifies around the outside of the jar and lid first which creates the “crust” on the top of the jar and the hole in the center.  

What is the best way to store my coconut butter?

It depends on the time of year and climate you live in.  Your coconut butter is at is creamiest at about 76 degrees.  In the warmer summer months, we store our coconut butter in the pantry right next to our other nut butters.  It does not need to be refrigerated and will not be spreadable if it is too cold.  In the winter months, we store it in a warm place in the kitchen so it will stay smooth and spreadable.  

How long will the coconut butter keep?

Although we don’t have any preservatives, coconut butter is naturally very stable and has a shelf life of a year or more, although we’ve never met anyone who was able to keep it around that long!

I just went to my pantry and it looks like all the oil has separated from the meat and is sitting at the top of the jar. Is there anything I can do about this?

This is typical of any natural nut butter and has nothing to do with the freshness of your coconut butter.  We recommend that you warm your jar of coconut butter and stir it back together.  Put it in your refrigerator just long enough to let it set and then take it out and store it in your pantry.  This should keep your butter from separating again.

How can you advertise your coconut butter as being great for dieters when it is so high in fat?

The fats that make up the majority of the oils in coconut are a unique type of fat called medium chain triglycerides (MCT).   MCTs are very easy for your body to convert to quick energy so your body uses it immediately and does not store it like most fats, which are much more difficult for your body to break down.  In the process, MCTs raise metabolism, which can help with weight loss.

to eat or not to eat? And how to use in personal care • ImOrganic

Type "coconut oil" into a search engine and you will get dozens of pages detailing its wonderful properties: it helps to lose weight, gets rid of acne, treats cancer, and so on. It would be great if everything was so, but there is still no scientific data that confirms such an effect of coconut oil - therefore, I would not turn this product into a panacea, but would recommend taking a closer look at its composition and nutritional properties. Here are a few coconut oil facts to help you figure things out and some possible uses for it.

Should I be afraid of saturated fats?

Natural coconut oil is 90% saturated fat compared to just 64% in butter. However, the question is not only the quantity of fats, but also their quality. About half of the saturated fat in unrefined coconut oil (up to 55%) is medium chain triglyceride lauric acid, which is easily absorbed by our body and converted into energy. Some researchers claim that lauric acid promotes health and increases the level of "good" cholesterol. True, there is another opinion.

Walter S. Willett, MD, Chair of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, points out that until now, the study of coconut oil has been limited to short-term studies of its effect on blood cholesterol levels - based on them it is impossible to say for sure how regular consumption of coconut oil is associated with heart disease. But Willett doesn't recommend putting coconut oil on a par with olive oil and flaxseed oil, precisely because of its high saturated fat content. Even the purest organic coconut oil, when used regularly, can cause health problems in the long run.

Coconut oil is a high-calorie product. There are nine calories per gram of butter.

"Coconut oil has properties that could be beneficial to health in the future, but more research is needed before we can say it's a superfood," says Kristin Kirkpatrick, manager of wellness nutrition at the Cleveland Wellness Institute (USA). For the same reason, Christine herself cooks with coconut oil only once a week, preferring olive oil. By the way, I use coconut oil for food only when I cook pancakes - about once a week.

Coconut Oil Benefits

Despite the lack of information about the properties of coconut oil, it still has undeniable advantages. First, it's a great substitute for butter and margarine if you're a vegan. Secondly, it is delicious and fragrant (this applies to organic coconut oil) - when I cook pancakes, the kitchen turns into a coconut grove for several hours. Thirdly, the coconut oil that you add to your food can be used as a multifunctional cosmetic product.

Coconut oil for skin, hair and nails

Make-up remover

Take a teaspoon of coconut oil, put it on a cotton pad, apply it to the skin - and the makeup will melt right before your eyes. You can prepare your own makeup remover wipes. To do this, you will need cotton pads and coconut oil. Heat two teaspoons of coconut oil in a container in the microwave, put cotton pads in an even layer, cover with a lid and leave to soak overnight. They can be stored in the same container or in a plastic bag. Such discs impregnated with coconut oil can be taken with you on the road, the gym, etc.

Shaving cream

Heat a can of coconut oil under warm water for a great shaving cream. The razor will glide smoothly and your feet will stay hydrated. Coconut oil does not lose its beneficial properties if it is heated and cooled - the structure of the oil is not destroyed.

Body Scrub

Mix ½ cup sugar with ½ cup melted coconut oil, let cool and use as a scrub to remove dead skin cells. You can add your favorite essential oil for fragrance.

Hair mask

Hold coconut oil under warm water while showering. After shampooing, apply oil to damp hair and rinse after five minutes.

Cuticle softener

Coconut oil helps to easily remove the cuticle, in addition, it strengthens the nails and nourishes the delicate skin around.

How to choose coconut oil?

Look for unrefined (extra virgin) coconut oil, preferably with eco-labels for organic food, so you can avoid buying low-quality coconut oil. By poor quality, I mean partially or fully hydrogenated coconut oil, that is, oil that contains trans fats. They are formed during the process of hydrogenation and are considered more harmful than saturated fats, because they not only increase the level of "bad" cholesterol, but also reduce the level of "good".

If you doubt the quality of your coconut oil, trust your nose, at one time such an experiment allowed me to distinguish a quality product from a fake. Real coconut oil smells like coconut, without any additional smells, it has a very bright and juicy aroma - you will not confuse it with anything.

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Coconut oil for hair and face. Three beauty recipes based on it in the analysis on TEA.ru

Even if you don't spend the winter in Thailand, you can definitely find coconut oil at home. This replicated product is considered very useful: it is fried, eaten and actively spread on all parts of the body. But is coconut oil suitable for every skin and can you lose weight with it? Let's answer this and other questions of women.

Coconut oil is said to be suitable for absolutely everyone. This is true?

No. The benefits of coconut oil cannot be overestimated, but this does not mean at all that it will suit everyone and everyone. First, we are talking about people who are allergic to coconuts. Secondly, it is not recommended for owners of oily scalp: in this case, it is absolutely impossible to apply oil to the roots, since it can provoke clogging of pores and hyperproduction of sebum, that is, the hair will get dirty many times faster. But on the tips - you are always welcome. Thirdly, coconut oil is comedogenic, so it should not be used by women with oily and problematic skin: it can provoke acne outbreaks.

But with the help of oil, you can clean the skin of any make-up, even waterproof. Just a few drops work wonders: coconut oil removes makeup like professional products.

Can coconut oil replace sunscreen?

Coconut oil does have a slight sun protection factor of SPF 7, but it's negligible (only up to 20% of UV is blocked). So do not rely entirely on oil in hot countries. It can be used only when you are already well tanned, and not at the very beginning of the holiday. Otherwise, burns are definitely inevitable.

If you do get burned and don't have Panthenol or any other remedy for burns, use coconut oil. With sunburn, it will help reduce irritation and pain, minimize peeling, relieve redness and itching, moisturize well and protect the affected skin.

Is coconut oil the same as palm oil because coconuts grow on palm trees?

These are two completely different products. They differ in taste, composition, production method, appearance and many other parameters. Palm oil is extracted from the fruits of oil palms, while coconut oil is extracted from coconuts. Palm oil can seriously harm your health, while coconut oil, on the contrary, has many beneficial properties. So don't be afraid of coconut oil.

With its powerful antibacterial properties, coconut oil helps fight gum disease, cavities, plaque, and bad breath. It can be safely used as a mouthwash instead of industrial rinses.

Are solid and liquid two types of coconut oil?

Many unknowingly believe that there are two types of coconut oil - solid and liquid. In fact, the consistency depends on the air temperature. If the oil is stored in the refrigerator, it solidifies, and if it is warm, it becomes liquid. That's the whole secret, no fraud on the part of manufacturers.

Liquid coconut oil is easier and more convenient to use for cosmetic and culinary purposes. If it has hardened in the refrigerator, don't worry, just take it out and leave it at room temperature. Very soon it will acquire a liquid consistency, and you can use it for its intended purpose.

Grains have appeared in the coconut oil. Does this mean it is of poor quality?

Grains or globules may appear in any solid oil. This process is called crystallization. Typically, this happens because the oil melts during transport and then hardens too slowly. Crystallization does not affect the beneficial properties of coconut oil. To get rid of grains (after all, they can create some inconvenience during use), it is necessary to heat the oil to a liquid state. You can use a water bath or put a container on the battery.

After active melting, it is important to cool the oil as soon as possible. To do this, send it to the freezer. Once the oil has cooled to room temperature, take it out. Everything, there will be no grains in it, use it to your health!

Is it possible to lose weight with coconut oil?

As the saying goes: "You can't catch a fish from a pond without effort." If it were so easy to lose weight by adding coconut oil to the diet, then there would not be a single obese person left on earth. Overall, this oil really speeds up metabolism and contains fewer calories than any other, but without lifestyle changes, you will not get any magical results. Losing weight is a complex process, not a miracle.

Can cosmetic products be enriched with coconut oil?

The chemical formulas of creams, masks and serums have been developed by specialists for years. They think over the ratio of all components so that cosmetics bring maximum benefit. Add coconut oil to the formula - and you will upset the balance: the cream will begin to deteriorate faster, and the effect of some components may even be neutralized. So leave this thing.

But you can apply coconut oil before using creams, masks, serums and other cosmetics to make the skin even softer, smoother, silky and firmer.

Studies have shown that coconut oil is excellent at restoring skin with dermatitis. Take note if you have already tried all pharmacy ointments to no avail.

3 Awesome Coconut Oil Beauty Recipes

Tropical Hair Mask

Mix in a clean container until smooth 4 tbsp. l. coconut oil, 2 tbsp. l. lemon juice and 1 tbsp. l. grapefruit juice. Apply the resulting mixture to dry scalp and distribute through the hair. After 20 minutes, wash off the mask with warm water and shampoo. This procedure will be an excellent prevention of dandruff and hair loss, improve blood circulation, moisturize the scalp and remove the stratum corneum.

Coconut Oil Oatmeal Purifying Mask

Soak 3 tbsp. l. oatmeal in warm water to the consistency of gruel. Pour in 1 tbsp. l. coconut oil and mix well. Apply the resulting mass on the pre-cleansed skin of the face, massage for several minutes. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. This recipe will perfectly cleanse the pores, even out the microrelief, and relieve irritation.

Coconut Coffee Body Scrub

Combine 1 small cup coffee grounds or ground coffee, 1/2 cup coconut oil and 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl. You should get a pasty consistency. Apply the scrub to damp body skin, massage for at least 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Natural scrub will make the skin soft, silky, reduce the severity of the "orange peel" and even help get rid of ingrown hairs by exfoliating the stratum corneum.

Five more ideas for using coconut oil in your home