The Wonderful World of Coconut Products
Coconut seems to have a special place in Primal hearts. Judging from the forums, people are pretty taken with the fatty pseudo-nut and they’re always interested in new ways to consume the stuff. For some who abstain from dairy completely, coconut products make a great replacement for creams and butters. Others see the evidence from South Pacific traditional groups who thrived on a diet of coconut and fish, and want a bit of that in their lives. The milk makes a great base for smoothies, soups, and curries; the oil is a great source of saturated fat that stands up well to heat; the water beats commercial sports drinks with its impressive electrolyte content; the nut itself can be used as a projectile weapon. It’s just a well-rounded, versatile food with some interesting characteristics and a ton of offshoot products. Unlike most food “products,” however, coconut products are legit. They’re real food, and they’re real good. To help you guys wade through the often-confusing world of coconut products, I’ve put together a little guide to them all. Of course, I’ve probably missed a few things, so share your thoughts with me in the comments section.
Without further ado:
Coconut Oil
We’ve mentioned coconut oil plenty of times before. Tons of our readers eat it. It’s good by the spoonful, with eggs, on your scalp, or as a moisturizer. It can even double as a benign form of suntan lotion. Coconut oil is primarily saturated (over 90%), with the bulk of it coming from lauric acid, a medium chain saturated fatty acid; it’s incredibly heat-stable. Use it for stir-frying and sautéing, or drop a spoonful in your coffee. Makes a good base for an energy bar.
A tablespoon gets you 14 grams of fat, 12 of them saturated.
Coconut Butter
Coconut butter is to coconut oil as butter is to ghee; it’s made from whole coconut flesh, with all the delicious fat and the solids included. The oil and flesh meld together to form a creamy texture that spreads well. I wouldn’t use it for any high heat cooking, though, as the bits of flesh will just burn. Spoonfuls of this stuff are delicious, but addictive. Because the flesh is included, it retains a decent amount of sweetness. A big dollop of coconut butter can really finish off a curry nicely, though.
Two tablespoons get you 18 grams fat, 16 saturated.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is made by mixing shredded, fresh coconut meat with water, then squeezing it through a sieve or cheesecloth. The thick, creamy liquid that comes out is coconut milk and can be used for Thai curries and Brazilian seafood stew. Personally, I love drinking a big chilled glass of it by itself. Because people tend to misinterpret the natural separation of coconut milk in the can as spoilage, most canned coconut milk often includes thickening agents like guar gum, especially the stuff sold in Western countries. I wouldn’t worry too much about guar gum.
You could always make your own, of course, if you wanted to avoid any thickeners, preservatives, or BPA from the can lining.
A quarter cup gets you 12 grams of fat, 10 of them saturated.
Coconut Flour
We’ve gone over coconut flour before, so I’ll keep it brief. Use this stuff if you have a hankering for baked items. Ideally, we’d all stick to whole, real foods in their natural state, but there’s nothing wrong with the occasional Primal baked good. If it helps you maintain your eating plan without any major lapses, I’d say using coconut flour is a good compromise.
Two tablespoons get you 1.5 grams fat, 1 gram saturated, along with 10 grams of carbs, 9 of them fiber, and 2 grams protein.
Coconut Cream
Think of coconut cream as coconut milk without all the water. It’s the same stuff – pulverized coconut flesh mixed with water – but coconut cream is thicker and pastier. If you want to make a thicker coconut curry without all the added liquid, use coconut cream in place of milk. Many recipes even specifically call for coconut cream. In case you don’t have access to actual coconut cream, you can skim the thick top layer out of an unshaken, undisturbed can of coconut milk; that’s the cream. Store bought coconut cream is often sweetened, so be vigilant and scan those labels.
Creamed Coconut
Creamed coconut usually comes in a solid block. It may look like shortening or hydrogenated lard, but it’s not, and it may sound like coconut cream, but it isn’t. It’s pure coconut flesh, pulverized and formed into solid blocks that can be broken up into chunks and added to sauces or curries toward the end of cooking. Some claim it makes the best curries, better even than milk or cream-based ones. I haven’t tried, so I can’t verify that statement, but I am keeping my eyes peeled for creamed coconut.
An ounce will get you 20 grams of fat, mostly saturated, along with 6 grams of carbs, mostly fiber.
Desiccated Coconut
Desiccated coconut is unsweetened, very finely ground coconut with most of the moisture removed. This is not to be confused with coconut flour, which has the fat removed; desiccated coconut retains all the SFA goodness. Desiccated coconut is used all over for desserts, but PBers might enjoy sprinkling it over a bowl of berries and cream, onto curries, or directly into their mouths. It’s just the coconut flesh only dry, so there’s still a nice bit of subtle sweetness to desiccated coconut.
An ounce will get you 18 grams of fat, 16 grams saturated, 7 grams carbs, with 5 being fiber, and 2 grams of protein.
Shredded Coconut
Shredded coconut is mostly dry, but it usually retains more moisture than full-on desiccated coconut. But really, the main difference between shredded coconut and desiccated coconut (and flaked coconut, too) is the shape of the coconut. Shredded coconut comes shredded; it’s in thin strands or strips. Flaked coconut, meanwhile, comes is flatter, wider pieces. Still dry, though, and still coconut. Use shredded or flaked coconut the same way you’d use desiccated, ground coconut.
Sources
Ethnic groceries, especially ones catering to Indian or Southeast Asian clientele, are the best brick-and-mortar spots for the various coconut products. They’ll usually have the most authentic products at the cheapest prices, but not everyone has access to these stores. Whole Foods and other health food spots will generally carry coconut oil, coconut milk, desiccated coconut, as well as shredded and/or flaked coconut. Maybe even coconut butter. Again, though, not everyone has access to a Whole Foods or a health food store. Trader Joe’s carries a coconut milk, but it’s “light.” Avoid these and stick to the full-fat versions.
Another option is an online vendor. There are several good ones:
Tropical Traditions tends to get high marks for its coconut products. Coconut oil gets most of the attention, but their “Organic Food” pull down menu has a section for other coconut stuff: flour, flakes, shredded coconut, and cream.
I hear great things about the Artisana Coconut Butter, available from several different sources, including Amazon and many more.
Simply Coconut is another vendor.
Another good option is to just browse Amazon, which carries a ton of different coconut products, each with user reviews. Find a few, compare the ratings and reviews, read the nutrition facts, and take a chance.
Word of mouth is best, though. I’m interested in hearing from readers. What are your favorite coconut products? Did I leave any out? And where do you buy your creamed coconut? What’s the best online vendor, in your opinion?
Photos Courtesy of Netrition.com, OregonLive.com, cornflower.typepad.com and phil.lees
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
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When I use coconut oil as moisturizer I have to chase my pooch out of the room. He wants to lick it off my ankles. I guess he’s a primal pooch.
LOL My cat does the same thing! He just loves coconut oil – particularly when it’s served on my feet!
Just in case anyone has missed me singing the praises of Tropical Traditions…their Gold Label virgin coconut oil is fit for the gods. It has a delicate coconut flavor that turns an average meal into a sensational one. Fry your eggs in it. Stir-fry your veggies. Throw a spoonful or two into your sauces. Then don’t forget to lick every last delectable molecule off the spoon before you wash it.
The most awesome about living in Brazil is that I’m not able to find other coconut products besides milk, water, shredded coconut and oil (which is too expensive).
What a coincidence. Just bought my first bottle of coconut oil @ Whole Foods this weekend. Used it to saute some beef for chili, which turned out amazing. Also, one of my favorite soups is made with pureed butternut squash, coconut milk, and cayenne pepper. One question: I noticed both refined and unrefined coconut oil at the store. Is one preferred over the other?
YES! Unrefined and cold pressed
Artisana coconut butter is delicious…I like it by the spoonful
I’ve never seen it in a butter-esque block like the picture you’ve got up there. I call the “Energy Bars” Coconut Bars instead, because I leave out the protein powder and just use more dessicated coconut! Coconut milk “ice cream” is good too, coco milk/frozen berries/a little vanilla extract all whipped in the food processor then left in the freezer for a few minutes. Yum!
I now cannot imagine how I lived without coconut for such a long time. It is a truly wonderful natural food.
Huh. I just got back from MOM’s Organic market with a jar of Coconut oil to leave in my office. Wada coinky-dink.
Which MOM’s? if you don’t mind me asking. I know a few of the managers.
I can’t imagine life without butter from a cow. Cococut butter is good though.
Darrin, the refined oil removes the coconut flavor. If you want the health benefits of coconut oil but don’t like the taste (Gasp! I hear there are some crazy people who don’t like the taste.) then get the refined.
I use the refined organic cold pressed coconut for making mayonnaise (do not want the coconut flavor in my mayo) – I also use a wonderful California Olive Oil from Chaffin Family Vineyards. I mix about half refined coconut oil and half of the evoo.
I love the taste of coconut oil, but not with everything (like eggs, gross). I do go with refined when I want to avoid the flavor. Now when I have my occasional cup of coffee, virgin coconut oil makes it taste like a dream. So the coconutty flavor definitely has its place in my hear.
coconut shells can also be used to make a primal bra…..
Who needs a bra if you’re primal?
Coconuts aren’t that big;)
i have to agree with this.
yes that is usually true
…but they are big enough to make cups to drink your kava in!
and I had a pair. lol. went with my grass skirt outfit.
Dang, Mark, now you’ve got me craving coconut products. Well, at least it’s not the worst kind of craving to get…
Wilderness Family Naturals is a great place to shop for coconut products. They have a powdered coconut milk which is excellent if you need coconut milk in a pinch. I also love their raw cacao powder. Mix the two together and you have a smoothie that will rock your world (think Almond Joy in a glass).
The discovery of coconut products is one of the blessings of going primal. I use coconut oil almost exclusively for frying. I love celery dipped into big heaps of coconut butter (Artisana’s is brilliant), or I just lick it off the spoon. I’ve even used creamed coconut to make little chocolates with blue berries inside. Coconut milk makes the best curries. If a curry recipe states how much water to put in, I always substitute the complete amount with coconut milk instead. The wife and I keep a jar of coconut oil in the bedroom for our dry hands during the winter (I’m sure some of you were thinking something else when I wrote “bedroom”! Haven’t tried that….yet.)
It does make an excellent moisturizer,for skin and hair, yes Aaron, you should try “that”
Yes. Absolutely. haha
I second this. Coconut oil and coconut products were offlimits in my old life as a lowfat vegan. But I had enormous cravings for them and I was living on Hawaii and avoiding them. What a crime. But I thought I was eating “healthY” by following CW. Such a shame.
Does anyone know where you can find cocunut water?
I don’t have too many organic options where I live. I do have a Whole Foods & a local Co-Op, but the Co-Op is very selective in what they shelf. Thank you.
Amazon Has Vita Coco, O.N.E and Zico by the case at the best price anywhere! http://bit.ly/6eKSUG
I usually get Vita Coco. Warning! The stuff is addictive!
i got O.N.E. and it is VERY good.
If you sign up for auto-shipping you get a discount AND free shipping, and if you don’t like it as much as you thought you would you can cancel your “subscription.”
Unfortunately, in Australia I cannot get all of these products, just the oil, milk (canned), cream (canned), desiccated and shredded. I was worried about the guar gum though. You say not to worry about it but I was wondering if it had any harmful lectins?
I have found Coconut water at the local Natural Foods store, the co-op and at Safeway (they had the lowest price). At Safeway, it was with the sodas/mixers.
Careful with that supermarket coconut water, I have found that even my high end store has only heavily sweetened (20g sugar/8 oz) types.
Excellent. Thank you! I can’t live without my coconut oil & now I have read about the benifits of the water. Eating & living natural is really just awesome!
So I’m backtracking my previous comment. I just went to my supermarket and found the brands listed above in the Amazon pozt. I think its just Goya brand that adds sugar. Naturally seems that 10g carb / 8 oz is typical.
Love it, love it, love it. Anything coconut, any time, is fine with me.
Not a day goes by that I don’t eat something coconut-based, and in fact, I love it so much, I named my webdesign company after it.
And since is the second time in 24 hours that I’m hearing about Artisana’s butter, I’m going to put it on the list for this weekend. Yum!
Artisana’s butter is amazing!
Free Tip: Don’t eat it while watching TV, or that 1/2 show will cost you $12-$16!
Mark says, “What are your favorite coconut products?”
That’s like asking me what’s my favorite way for YOU to deposit money in MY bank account. I don’t care… just hand it over in any form!
Found a cheaper alternative to Artisana today made by Let’s Do… http://bit.ly/9ZgBFR
Doesn’t seem pureed as fine as the Artisana or Tropical Traditions, but thats fine by me
I like chunkier and the flavor is wonderful.
Unsweetened coconut butter and vanilla makes the best pie crust – for those who don’t mind converting nonprimal foods.
Coconut oil can also be used as an excellent skin moisturizer and sunscreen. Coconut oil has been used for centuries in many asian countries as a hair and body oil. Apply it before you shower and use a mild soap. Your skin will retain a glow and moisture all day long. Look at the ingredients in your average body lotion, it’s usually mineral oil based and full of chemicals. Never put something on your skin that you would not put in your mouth!
Has anyone used coconut cream for coffee creamer???
I love me some coconut milk, but I don’t like it much in my coffee…
So delicious makes a coconut coffee creamer. I have a non-primal friend who likes it.
I LOVE coconuts and esp the young thai coco flesh which can be whipped into a dessert cream, or turned into noodles or ice cream…mmm! But I had no idea there was such a thing as coconut butter that comes in a brick, like dairy butter. All this time I thought coconut butter was just what the oil was called when solidified.
I also did not know the refined coconut oil was flavorless-good to know-will have to get some asap!
Thanks everyone.
Another product, desiccated coconut flakes. I’ve made microwave and oven-baked chips with this. You can find the recipe in the forum.
Toddy, a fermented alcoholic drink available in India, is made from the sap of the coconut tree.
Mark, I used to use instant coconut milk powder, but stopped using it after I turned Primal. They have maltodextrin added to them. Which, in your opinion, is the lesser of the 2 evils – BPA or maltodextrin?
Native Forest brand coconut milk is in BPA-free cans.
Thanks Pikaia!
Mark, in your book you discuss staying away from PUFAs, especially sunflower and safflower oils. Would that recommendation also include Sunbutter?
Coconut oil…
Everyone I know who is not primal hates it.
Everyone I know who is primal absolutely loves it.
Must be one of those flavors that changes with your tastebuds? When I ask if someone likes coconut oil, non-primals usually say, “Ewww, pina colada! I hate coconut.”
Maybe just all the SAD people have had bad drunken experiences?
…or maybe we need one of those STUPID bumper stickers or t-shirts that say:
Coconut Oil
It’s a Primal thing. You wouldn’t understand!
ROTFLMAO
What about coconut water? I know the sugar content is high. But is great for re-hydration and recovery after an intense work out.
REAL coconut water doesn’t have that much sugar… the kind in my grocery store has added sugar though. I ordered O.N.E. brand off amazon.com and it’s unsweetened…
I mean, I guess it could be “high” if you drink a ton of it, but in an 11 oz serving, it’s not bad.
Very good for rehydration.
Zack see my Amazon comment above. Agreed, it is an awesome sports drink!
Hi Mark, I cannot get coconut milk in Australia at all. I also do a lot of martial arts training and need a good sports drink. Would watering down canned coconut milk be just as good?
You can’t order it from Amazon? http://bit.ly/6eKSUG
You could hop on your ebay and find it too.
Coconut vinegar
Coconut aminos (like soy sauce only better)
Etc.
http://www.coconutsecret.com/index.html
I just made what I thought was coconut flour in my Vita Mix this morning but I guess it was dessicated coconut. Good to know. Made some great coconut flapjacks though.
I tell people all the time that I think I’m turning into a coconut! I use coconut oil as a skin moisturizer, I use it to stir fry veggies, I bake w/ coconut flour, I use coconut milk in place of cow’s milk and even make a “cereal” using coconut flakes, raw almonds, fruit and of course w/ coconut cream (diluted w/ water). I’ve had many a conversation trying to convince people how healthy coconut is…I suppose my low body fat percentage speaks for itself.
I am currently finishing up a gallon of coconut oil from Tropical Traditions. Quite honestly, it was a little disappointing in that it has quite an odor. It’s my understanding that the odor means it is spoiling.
My next batch will be ordered from http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com. I’ve heard good things about their products.
I love coconut.
What about coconut rolled dates? I bought some at the health food store last night. Are those primal, or too sugary? I am new to this.
Sounds like a really easy treat to eat the whole package of!
Will shoot up the carbos pretty quickly. If your eating PB for weight loss, I wouldn’t re-buy those for a while.
If you’re buying coconut milk in a can, the only brand that currently uses BPA free cans is Native Forest. The brands at Whole Foods and Trader Joes both have BPA in their cans.
I’ve been ordering cases of Native Forest online to keep the BPA out of my coconut milk.
Where are you getting Native Forest coconut milk online? It is $2 a can at Stop & Shop (grocery chain found in MA, RI, CT, NY, and NJ), so I’m curious to know if you’ve found it for less online.
Oooh, those photos are making me swoon. I adore coconut. I’ve loved it all my life, even when I was following the bad old SAD diet of yesteryear. I can recall begging mom to buy a coconut at the supermarket when I was kid, and the fun of drilling holes in the ‘eyes’ and draining out the water, and then slamming the coconut down on the sidewalk to smash it open! Then prising out all the delicious meat.
I do love the lovely taste of virgin coconut oil, and usually put a good dollop into my morning coffee. I just ran out this morning! But the other day I just placed my first order for the Gold Label virgin coconut oil from Tropical Traditions, and it shipped yesterday. Can’t wait. I debated buying some coconut cream when I placed my order too, but decided against it. Now I’m sorry.
Very timely post! I am baking for a last minute bake sale tonight. Given my primal pantry I was skeptical as to how I could help, but found an abundance of coconut flour recipes here: http://www.tiana-coconut.com/coconut_flour_recipes.htm Going to substitute extra banana for the sugar in the banana bread – fingers crossed!
You forgot the ever-popular macaroon.
If only I weren’t allergic to coconut… and almonds… and all other tree nuts.
Cool article though!
Anyone have coconut milk almost daily? I’ve been making many curries lately and I feel like I want to add coconut milk anytime I’m stir frying.
Just made this and it came out excellent – http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/curried_fish.html
No rice of course
Loved “the nut itself can be used as a projectile weapon”!
Anyone have have a good recipe for making mayonaise with coconut oil?
Here you go, Allison:
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/forum/topic/coconut-mayonnaise
Or this one: it’s always in my fridge…
http://www.foodrenegade.com/enzyme-rich-mayonnaise/
I’ve been drinking Coconut Chai from Zhena’s Gypsy Tea on a daily basis lately. So good, especially with coconut milk splashed in it.
I have Artisana coconut butter, but I keep forgetting I have it. I wonder how it tastes with buffalo chicken wings…. Tonight’s a good night to find out.
Scott, the virgin coconut oils do have a distinctive taste and odor. If you don’t like it, you need to get the expeller pressed, refined coconut oil.
One of my favourite coconut products is Ciao Bella’s coconut sorbet(http://www.ciaobellagelato.com/flavors/flavors.php?id=303). It only has 4 ingredients (Water, Creamed Coconut Meat, Shredded Coconut and Pectin). I’m not exactly sure where Pectin falls in with primal, but it’s still really good.
I’ve just started going primal about a month ago. Down to 119 from 127 lbs in that time. Just now I blended 2/3 cup chilled coconut milk, 1 frozen banana, and a splash of vanilla extract with about 6 ice cubes. Heaven…like coconut vanilla ice cream, but better! Ate a 1/2 cup of it and the rest is in the freezer for later!
not that much later. finished it. quite full now.
I’m going to make you all jealous. I just returned from a Sunshine Market here on Kauai. After buying all of the wonderful produce I treat myself to a fresh coconut in which the vendor just chops into the middle so you can put a straw in and drink away! If you stay long enough to finish it he will crack open the thing so you can eat the fresh coconut from inside. Yummmmm.
I HATE YOU!
1.) for being in Kauai (49° raining here)
2.) for the fresh coconut comment
Yeah! I was just going to suggest this way of enjoying coconut…we do here on Maui!
That. sounds. AWESOME. Mission accomplished, I am incredibly jealous.
On My hair, my skin, my natural protein shakes, cakes, breads, pancakes, hot cocoa, coffee, sauces, homemade yogurt… Coconut is everywhere xD
Anyone have definitive info on the fructose levels and glucose/fructose ratios in Coconut and Coconut products?
I’m a big fan of coconut, having used coconut milk, coconut oil, and dessicated coconut, but not regularly. After all these comments, I’m starting to crave more coconut!
Having grown up in a coconut country(south-western coast of India), coconut was a key ingredient in everything we ate until the anti-coconut reports about it not being good for health came up. But I brought it back to prime time couple of years back and hasn’t looked back since – coconut oil fried fish, fish in coconut sauce etc. etc. We also get fresh tender coconuts all over town which has been a good replacement for all things aerated. Thanks Mark for sharing!
Thanks for all the info and inspiration!!! I have some coconut products, but don’t remember to eat them regularly. It seems to be a bit of a challenge for me to incorporate them into my daily diet.
I love me some coconut products! I use coconut oil in my hair to make it strong and shiny, coconut flour to “flour” my chicken fillets. I’m even eating a fresh coconut as I type this. Yum!
With a family of 5, Nutiva’s 1gallon coldpressed virgin Coconut oil is what’s in my pantry, with a small jar on the kitchen counter and cosmetic compacts in the bathroom and on the nightstand.
coconut milk/cream poured over frozen berries and banana’s – yummy PWO snack!
what if I could climb up a coconut tree with no aid to get my coconut. that would be a great workout maybe ill train for that.
I love coconuts they truly are amazing products. Not just for shipwrecked people! The inside of one tastes so nice when you eat it raw too.
I’ve been a coconut oil fan for a while now. I eat it straight off the spoon, and blend it 40-40-10 with raw cocoa butter and olive oil for a skin moisturiser. Specially good for in the sun/after sun. But this is the first I’ve heard of coconut butter! Better yet I just found a UK online retailer for the Artisana brand. Thanks for the tip!
I think im allergic to the stuff…. i have an allergic to reaction/ turn red! Its funny…when i was little i hated the stuff…now i have grown to like it and it turns me into a cherry. Any other perfect nuts i dont know about? Or am I stuck with butter?
I´m allergic to coconut + every nuts. Besides it tastes too sweet for me. Even the oil was only fine by the spoon. With meat/fish no way…
I love real raw butter, ghee and red palm oil. The red stuff is like a creamy sauce. yummy.
You may be allergic to coconut but don’t assume so just because you are allergic to all nuts. Coconut is a fruit.
Hey Mark,
I loved the coconut info, thanks. Would you consider a follow-up post on a basic how-to make a Thai curry, using simple ingredients? I have thai curry paste, asian fish sauce and coconut milk, but so far I haven’t found a good basic recipe and my attempts have been less than stellar. A simple easy to follow step-by-step process/recipe would be great, can i twist your arm?
Thanks!
I’ll add it to the list and will try to work it in. Thanks, Dan.
I pretty much use coconut oil exclusively when I’m frying something up – olive oil has been relegated almost exclusively to salad dressings now. The only problem I have with coconut oil is that, being solid at room temperature, I can’t really mix it into doughs or batters (like nut-based pizza crust or nut-based pancakes).
Just a reminder – when buying shredded coconut in stores (or anything else, for that matter!), make sure you read the label. Sugar shows up in a lot of places you don’t expect it to.
I cannot abide coconut. The last year of my military days, back in 1974, I was stationed in Guam. EVERYTHING was fortified with coconut. Cow’s milk tasted had coconut, some foods served in restaurants had a coconut product of some kind, and even the starch used in our dress uniforms had coconut. Upon sweating, the smell of coconut would drift up and out, making us smell like a coconut factory. I haven’t touched a coconut product in almost 40 years.
I will put a plug in for the T.J.’s brand of light milk.Its cheep @ $.99 a can. It has become my default coffee-creamer. The full fat stuff never mixes in that well.I also find that its a good starter product for the unitiated with their usual fear of fat. I love to fry chicken in the oil but that gets expensive. Any tips for filtering and re-using the stuff? Watch out for those So-Delicious products! Most have a lot of sugar added. Any thoughts on coconut-kefir? Where to find ect.
So, I am still having a tough time differentiating between coconut butter and creamed coconut? I recently purchased a ‘pouch’ of CC and could see where the mixed coconut and oil had separated. It mixed wonderfully once I got it moving. The box w/pouch was Let’s Do Organic! Creamed Coconut for about $2.
Is CButter separated when you first open the jar?
Other than Artisana’s carrying a ‘raw’ on the label and about $12 more in terms of price, unsure a greater difference. Any help would be appreciated.
Question: is this the same thing as coconut milk, or is it completely different?
I am spending the winter in Mexico surrounded by coconuts and not finding any coconut oil or flour in local stores. Next week we will drive to Tecoman, Colima to buy some products direct from the processing plant. Looking forward to it!
Anyone have any coconut allergies? I’ve been eating coconut milk since I can remember but the other day I made some ‘cookies’ with eggs, coconut milk and almond flour. They came out awesome, but later that afternoon I had some trouble breathing and I could feel my body react in allergy. Stayed off it for a few days and then tried one again, and same thing happened. Oh no!
Heh, just read some of you are. :\
I was wondering about the same thing. I love coconuts but am not sure whether or not I should be eating them for similar reasons. I am all for the primal diet so I also think that one should eat what their true ancestors ate and I do not think that my true ancestors came from the tropics. As such I have also read quite a bit about the blood type diet and my blood type is O (so I am meant to eat a hunter gathers diet). According to the blood type diet I am not meant to eat coconuts as they are meant to be bad for me.
Does anyone know where I can buy coconut products (especially oil and flour) in Orlando, FL? I live in Costa Rica where coconuts are everywhere, but ironically it’s nearly impossible to find coconut products. Though on a hot day you can get a pipa fria (a coconut with a straw in it). But we are on our way to FL for a quick vacation and I thought I’d stock up.
Nothing better after a long day surfing, than a topped coconut and a straw. Eliminates thirst immediately. Then, crack that bad boy open, use a sliver of skin from the side as a spoon and eat up the soft, white, tasty meat. Life is good!
I have a smoothie every morning with full fat organic coconut milk & a handful of blueberries. I don’t really like food (like eggs) early in the morning but feels this holds me over till lunch. I love it.
I just found coconut vinegar, made from the sap of the tree.. it is yummy!
ARTISANA IS LEGIT!!! You’ll find that you can eat spoon after spoon of the stuff. Whole Foods coconut milk is all so really good (in cans). Tropical Tradiitons gold Label Oil is the best tasting.
Take a dollop and throw it on any meat just before you eat it. It melts in and tastes really good.
The only coconut milk I can find is imported. Anyone have safety concerns with that? I’ve heard negative reports on imported food and substandard processing conditions so I try to buy USA only, but I would sure love some of these coconut products!
Do coconuts grow in the USA? I would think pretty much all coconut products are imported.
Coconuts grow on Hawaii all the time.
to get my fat intake up: a bit of full fat yogurt, mixed with shredded coconut and lots of coconut oil. mix it well with a scoop of cocoa powder. add some nuts or a few berries for flavor. it’s not sweet but it satisfies that ice cream craving for me.
Ha-ha good to know I’m not the only one who makes this concoction. I’ve had this 4 times in the last week.
Try it with a nut oil like Mark suggested for a different twist.
This morning for breakfast, we dredged pork cutlets in coconut milk, then in coconut flour with a little fresh pepper, fried in coconut oil. Fried eggs in the coconut oil, topped the pork cutlets with them. Sweet potato hash browns on the side. Delish!
I love Tropical Traditions coconut products – I have tried their dessicated coconut, virgin coconut oil, coconut water vinegar, and coconut butter (which they call cream of concentrate). I even submitted a gluten-free chocolate chip recipe that won me a quart of their virgin coconut oil – considered liquid gold in my home! It’s fairly primal; I have since cut back the honey as my tasted buds have become less sweet. They’re like a scone. Yum!
http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/recipe_Coconut_Cream_Chocolate_Chip_Cookies.htm
Coconut oil gets most of the love. Does coconut milk have all the same health benefits?
I just love how many ways we can eat coconut!
Thanks for this great resource!
Had a great trip to ‘Green Cuts’ in Tecoman, Colima yesterday to pick up my coconut oil. They produce the ‘Tropics Best’ brand which is certified organic and ‘Earth Kosher’. I will put photos on my blog next Friday.
I bought a couple of coconuts today [58p in Sainsburys if anyone UK fancies 'em] and also some coconut powder from Taj Supermarket in Brighton in the mistake it was flour. Which it isn’t. Any ideas what to do with the powder?
And if anyone’s near Brighton UK – where on earth can I buy the flour that doesn’t involve the internet?
I love Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream Concentrate. I warm the jar to soften the contents then dump out the gooey mess into a square glass dish, mush everything up so the oil is mixed in (at room temp in the jar, the oil is mostly on the top) then refrigerate the container. It makes a very dense, crystalline mildly sweet fudge-like snack/mini meal. Very filling, low carb, high healthy fat and not that potently coconut in taste. Adding a few nuts would be tasty. Toasted walnuts perhaps. Yummy stuff and worth experimenting with.
New to this. I just bought SO delicious french vanilla coffee creamer. After deciding to give up my fat free half and half when I read your article WTF….Is this a primal alternative?
I highly suggest the most delicious creamer….heavy whipping cream. Nothing extra added and only fat.
I am a bit confounded by “fat free half and half”.
Try the simple made by nature products and ENJOY!