Coconut is a versatile fruit. It is a source of food, drink, clothing, and shelter. Coconut is an all-season fruit and has been in consumption for centuries.
Coconut butter looks and smells familiar, and coconut oil is a common edible ingredient found in most households.
Key Takeaways
- Coconut butter contains whole coconut flesh, including its oil and fiber, while coconut oil is extracted solely from the coconut’s fat.
- Coconut butter has a thicker, creamier texture than coconut oil, which is liquid at warmer temperatures.
- Coconut oil is more versatile for cooking due to its higher smoke point, while coconut butter is used as a spread or in baking.
Coconut Butter vs Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a clear, liquid oil that is extracted by pressing the coconut flesh to obtain the oil. Coconut butter is made by blending the whole coconut flesh until it becomes a smooth, creamy paste, and it is a thick, creamy paste with a texture similar to peanut butter.
Coconut butter, obtained from the whole coconut, contains saturated fat. Coconut butter burns effortlessly, and it’s best for fudge candies.
It could be substituted for butter or oil, adding a sweet coconut flavor to the recipe. Coconut butter makes an excellent spread for toast or a topping for pancakes and waffles.
Coconut oil gets extracted from coconut meat and has a mellow, sweet, and nutty flavor. It gets utilized mainly for cooking. Neutral for sweet and savory cooking but best for sauteing vegetables or spicy curries.
It helps to season cast iron pans or wooden cutting boards. At room temperature, it is solid or in a semi-solid state.
Comparison Table
| Parameters Of Comparison | Coconut Butter | Coconut oil |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient | It is composed of coconut flesh. | It is extracted from coconut meat. |
| Temperature | It is either rigid or semi-rigid like peanut butter. | It is rigid in cool temperature and fluid in heated temperature. |
| Cooking | Best used on something already cooked. | It is used in cooking. |
| Making | It is made like a puree with the flesh. | Cold pressing from coconut meat. |
| Fat | It contains saturated fat along with dietary fat. | Coconut oil is entirely fat about 14% saturated fat. |
What is Coconut Butter?
Coconut butter is the flesh of the coconut ground like a paste. It contains fat, fiber, and nutrients from the coconut.
The consistency depends on the storage, and it could either be super creamy or semi-soft when warm or hard to waxy when stored in a cool place.
The butter has a typical tropical coconut flavor, not too overpowering or sweet. Coconut butter gets utilized for eating rather than cooking.
Coconut butter gets used in the following ways:
- Spread-Just like peanut butter, you can spread on a piece of toast or fruit. It tastes great on a baked sweet potato or greens.
- Smoothies-Coconut butter adds fiber and flavor to the smoothies and gives them a delicious coconut taste.
- Dessert-You can swap coconut butter for vegan desserts. The dairy-free fudge from coconut butter tastes delicious.
- Sinful Delight-Eating straight from the jar tastes yummy, and it contains less than one gram of sugar per serving.
Coconut butter contains lauric acid and is a booster for the immune system. After breast milk, coconut butter is the richest form of lauric acid. It is helpful for babies, and type 2 diabetes or osteoporosis reduces with the help of coconut butter. It reduces joint inflammation.
Coconut butter is rich in fiber and iron compared to coconut oil, and both are essential for the proper functioning of the body. It boosts metabolism and aids in weight loss if taken in an appropriate quantity. Coconut butter gets considered a superfood as it has numerous health benefits. It is a perfect blend of food and medicine.
What is Coconut oil?
Coconut oil comes from a tropical coconut palm tree(Cocos nucifera) and is a plant-based oil. Coconut oil gets obtained by cold-pressing coconut meat. It gets solid at cold temperatures and liquid when heated.
Coconut oil consists of saturated fat, and a tablespoon of oil contains around 14 gms of fat. The fatty acid of coconut oil helps reduce wrinkles, dry skin, and even dark spots.
The following are the benefits of coconut oil in the beauty regimen:
- Skin Moisturizer
- Bath oil and lip balm
- Massage oil
- Eye makeup remover
- Body or foot scrub along with sea salt.
It is best to test a patch on the skin before utilizing it to check for sensitivity or allergic reactions. Coconut oil is best for cooking purposes.
The refined version has a high smoke point and can withstand high heat, so it is best suited for frying or sauteing.
The extra virgin coconut oil has a lower smoking point and is best for temperatures below 350* Fahrenheit. It is best for chocolate truffles and no-bake desserts.
Coconut oil helps in weight loss and slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Many of the packaged products contain coconut oil. Products like shampoo, coffee, smoothies, and sweets have coconut oil.
Coconut oil contains saturated fat that increases cholesterol levels. Coconut oil consumption must be in moderation.
The following are a few benefits of coconut oil:
- Reduces stress-Virgin coconut oil has antioxidant properties. Researchers believe coconut oil helps in treating some kinds of depression.
- Preventing liver disease-There are elements of coconut oil that may protect the liver.
- Dental health-Coconut oil is best for traditional oil pulling. Oil pulling protects against cavities, improves gingivitis, and protects oral health.
Main Differences Between Coconut Butter and Coconut Oil
- Coconut butter gets made by pureeing coconut meat. Coconut oil gets made by cold-pressing coconut meat.
- Coconut butter is rigid at lukewarm temperature and softens when warmed up. Coconut oil is rigid at cold temperatures and becomes liquid when warmed up.
- Coconut butter gets made from the whole coconut. Coconut oil gets made from just the fat.
- Coconut butter tastes good straight from the jar. Coconut oil gets utilized for cooking.
- Coconut butter is good for no-cook candies or candies cooked over low heat. Coconut oil is suited for cooking and frying.
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07315724.2018.1497562
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0271531788800460
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