Is Coconut Oil Good For Frying On High Temperature Cooking?

Is Coconut Oil Good for Frying on High Temperature Cooking?

May 19, 2011 | By Natalie Weiss

The white part of a coconut, also known as the "meat" contains coconut oil). Machines extract the oil so it can be used in cooking. Coconut oil is a popular vegetable oil used around the world. It can be produced in large quantities, and is shelf stable. Some cooking oils are not suitable for high temperatures due to their low smoke point. However, coconut oil is an exception.

Smoke Point

Smoke point is the temperature at which oil breaks down and turns into a vapor. At this point, the chemical composition of the oil changes and it is no longer suitable for cooking. Age, processing technique and source all affect the smoke point of a particular oil. In general, refined oils and fresh oils have higher smoke points than unrefined and old oils. Coconut oil is stable at high temperatures, meaning it has a high smoke point. However, coconut oil is available in two forms, refined and unrefined. Both types are suitable for high-heat cooking, but refined coconut oil will have an even higher smoke point.

Refined Coconut Oil

If fresh coconut meat is not immediately pressed for oil, it will have to pass through a purification system known as refining. Refining involves deodorization and filtration. High heat deodorizes the oil and bleaching clays filter the oil to remove impurities. Most modern methods of the refinement process use chemical solvents.

Unrefined Coconut Oil

Unrefined coconut oil comes from fresh coconut meat. Fresh coconut meat is naturally shelf stable and does not require further refining from heat and chemical solvents. This type of coconut oil is also known as "virgin" coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil retains its natural coconut odor and taste. The additional term "extra," as in extra-virgin olive oil, does not apply to coconut oil.

Health Considerations

Refined coconut oil is sometimes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated. Hydrogenation increases the shelf life of foods, but hydrogenated oils contain trans fats that raise cholesterol and should be limited in your diet . Look on the food label for the words "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" to determine if a product contains trans fats.