Coconut oil which has been used extensively in the Indian sub-continent for several centuries is now identified as a super product that can be consumed and applied topically.
More and more experts are taking efforts to explain the health benefits of it.
Unlike other food products, saturated fats in it prevent various diseases and promote good health of essential organs in the body.
Because of this reason, many people are interested in buying it.
In the market, you can find several coconut oil products and some of them contain virgin label on them.
You need to know he difference between ordinary and virgin oil so that you buy the best product.
Normally, it is extracted from dried coconut meat which is called copra.
This copra is obtained by drying fresh meat under sun or any other process.
Drying process may catch harmful bacteria and fungi.
Extraction of oil from the copra results in an impure output that cannot be used without refining.
The refining process involves applying heat and other processes to the extracted coconut oil.
After this process, you will get ordinary output with a bland taste and smell.
Virgin coconut oil is obtained from fresh coconut meat.
The fresh meat is not dried using any method.
In one method of extraction, oil is extracted from coconut milk in a natural way.
Other methods quick dry fresh meat and extract oil from it quickly.
Sometimes, the oil may be heated to a very low temperature to remove all moisture.
Virgin and organic oil are obtained from fresh coconuts that are produced organically without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
To get best health benefits, you have to buy virgin and organic type.
All vitamins, minerals and other essential acids in it are maintained only when oil is extracted from fresh meat.
Ordinary one contains chemicals and other impurities that are passed on to the product during refining process.
Unlike olive oil, there is no industry standard to qualify virgin coconut oil.
Some companies even add extra virgin label which means nothing more.
When it comes to composition, ordinary and virgin and organic coconut oil contain same components, but virgin contains something more and fresh.
When you buy virgin and organic coconut oil, you cannot expect any standard to define the quality.
Though it should be very clear like water, most of the products will have some coloration due to the actual process used in the extraction of oil.
To stay away from scams, buy products that are produced in the tropical areas in the world where fresh coconut is readily available.
If the oil tastes and smells like fresh coconut, you can ensure that the it is real.