Chewing the fat, Coconuts

Do you use coconut oil?

Coconuts....

How ironic, I am finishing my blog post about coconuts which come from sunny, tropical places and outside my window is a massive blizzard here on the South Shore of Massachusetts!

The word is out about Coconuts and they are everywhere you look.  Coconut oil, coconut water, coconut flour, coconut butter, you name it coconuts.  Coconuts have become very popular in the past few years.  I personally use it to cook with, use it on my toast, in my coffee and as my moisturizer on my face and body.  I have had this post saved for 2 weeks while I kept trying to make coconut oil to show you all and post it step by step.  After 3 attempts, 2 large bags of shredded coconut and 12 jars of fresh organic coconut water it's not going to happen.  For me to make enough coconut oil to fill half of a ball pint jar would take about 20 coconuts!!  Coconuts range from $1.29 to $3.89, so it's financially not worth my while since I can get a jar for $8.99 at Target, but it was fun trying and learning.   I will show you some pretty pictures I took, benefits of coconuts and the LINK to the video on how to make it! 

There are 2 kinds of coconuts you will see in the stores to buy.  Young and old. Young coconuts are green and are taken from the tree.  Old coconuts have fallen to the ground and the flesh has come off leaving the hard brown shell.  I prefer the old coconuts since I like using the meat to make my own unsweetened coconut flakes for cooking, baking and adding to jasmine rice.

" Old" Coconuts ...need a hammer to open, very little coconut water inside and hard meat which is great for making oil

Fresh organic coconut water from a few coconuts I opened.  I added it to my juices and smoothies:)

Coconut water is in every corner store, but buying a coconut for the water is the best way.  Most waters have added sugars and flavors.  Here are some benefits of coconut water:

In my search for coconuts, I had to shop at two different stores.  Whole Foods only sells "young coconuts".  These are best for coconut water.  One coconut will give you at least 8-12 ounces and the meat is very soft which you can spoon out of the shell and eat.  Young coconuts are not great for shredded coconut or oil.

2 young coconuts and the coconut water I got out of them.  I bought these at Whole Foods.

I met a nice man names Kris in the produce section.  He explained to me they only sell the young coconuts since most people buy them for the water not to make oil.  To open a young coconut, simply take a large knife and wack the top 2 inches down from the tip all around until you can bend the top open.

A group of young coconuts at Whole Foods

Kris gave me a lesson while I was shopping at Whole Foods on coconuts

Opened young coconut

Moving on to "old" coconuts.  Locally, I can find them at Shaws or Hannaford ( these are my local grocery stores, they will vary depending on where you live).  I bought a few at Hannaford one day and they were spotted black on the inside and no water, so I tossed those.  Tip:  only buy an "old" coconut that has NO cracks and you can hear the water!   The older ones are great for the meat.  This meat can be grated and toasted or grated and strained to make oil or simply just eat!

"old" coconuts  little water but great meat

I took off the hard shell with a hammer in the driveway!  Now I just need to take off the outer skin

I use a knife to take off the skin, some use a peeler

Once the coconut meat is clean, you can shred it, toast it, or dehydrate it.  To make oil, you shred it, mix the shreds with water then use cheese cloth to strain out the liquid.  Once you have all liquid you can choose a cold method process or cooking down the oil.  Here is the link for the cooking process.

Click here to watch the coconut oil " how to " video

Today, you can walk in the store and buy coconut oil in a spray can ( Trader Joes has a great one) to use in baking, in liquid form ( I use this after a shower) and in a jar.  I used to buy a specific brand online, Tropical Traditions Green Label until I found a great brand in the stores I shop.  As you know, coconut oil can be expensive and the best price I have seen is at target.  We use the unrefined mostly but when I am cooking for a crowd I will use the refined since not everyone loves the taste and smell of coconut.

Target for $8.99   This is about 2-4 dollars less than grocery stores

Whole Foods Coconut Oil and prices

Here are some things I personally use coconut oil for:

* I put liquid coconut oil in a small spray bottle and spray it on me after I shower as my daily moisturizer
* Put 1/2 teaspoon in black coffee with 1/2 teaspoon butter and shake it up, it's amazing coffee
* my company " lafrance luxuries" only uses coconut oil in the sugar scrubs
* I use it on the ends of my hair in the summer after a shower
* When my face is really dry, I will go to bed and use coconut oil as my moisturizer
* When I have eyeliner and mascara on, I use coconut oil to take off eye makeup
*When my feet are cracked I lather them with coconut oil, put socks on and sleep with them on





If you have some great ways you use coconut oil, you have made coconut oil or just want to share a top with me to share, email it to me at:  ericalafrance@gmail.com

Have a great night everyone and if you live in my neck of the woods I hope you are warm and safe and be careful on the roads tomorrow in the snow!

xoxox
erica

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