Knowra Coconut oil Coconut oil Coconut oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the kernel or meat of mature coconuts. Its high saturated-fat content makes it relatively stable and solid near room temperature.
Saturated fat : Dietary fats whose fatty-acid chains contain no carbon–carbon double bonds. Most of coconut oil’s fatty acids are saturated, especially lauric acid.
Refined oil : Oil processed to remove impurities, odors, and flavors, often through refining and deodorization. Refined coconut oil has a milder taste and generally tolerates higher cooking temperatures.
Copra : Dried coconut kernel used as a raw material for extracting coconut oil. Traditional oil production often presses copra rather than fresh coconut meat.
Dietary fat : Fat consumed in food, providing energy and essential fatty acids while supporting absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Coconut oil is a calorie-dense dietary fat whose health effects depend partly on what it replaces.
Lauric acid : A 12-carbon saturated fatty acid found abundantly in coconut oil. This medium-chain fatty acid is coconut oil’s largest individual fatty-acid component.
Virgin coconut oil : Coconut oil made from fresh coconut kernel without chemical refining or bleaching. Its less-refined production preserves more of coconut’s characteristic aroma and flavor.
Coconut palm : A tropical palm species, Cocos nucifera, whose fruit provides coconut kernel, water, and fiber. The palm’s fruit is the source of the kernel from which coconut oil is extracted.
Low-density lipoprotein : A cholesterol-carrying particle that transports cholesterol through the bloodstream and is associated with cardiovascular risk when elevated. Coconut oil can raise LDL cholesterol compared with unsaturated vegetable oils.
Medium-chain triglyceride : A triglyceride containing fatty acids with medium-length carbon chains, usually defined as 6–12 carbons. Lauric acid’s classification helps explain why coconut oil is sometimes grouped with MCT oils.
Coconut milk : An opaque liquid made by extracting grated coconut flesh with water. Coconut milk is a water-rich food, unlike the separated oil extracted from coconut kernel.
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