How Do You Tell If the Coconut Oil is Hydrogenated?

by Kathy
(Mounds View, MN)

I have read conflicting reports about the advantages/disadvantages of coconut oil. One source said that if the oil is hydrogenated, that it is bad for you. How can I tell if it is hydrogenated?

I purchased some from a natural food co-op out of a bulk bin so there wasn’t a lot of info. It is frozen like a rock in the refrigerator, liquid at any temps above about 75 F, but is a soft spread consistency in a room cooler than 75 F. It also does not taste like coconut.

I purchased it primarily to use as a spread on Ezekial bread. I am trying to eat a Paleo diet and so want to avoid butter (dairy) and margarine (soy and all sorts of other nasty stuff). Thank you so much for your help. Kathy

I browsed a lot to get here so am not sure if I will be able to find you again in a day or two. I would so appreciate an email response to my question or an email with the exact website to get to this answer. Thanks!

Hi Kathy,

ALL hydrogenated oils are bad for you.

Refined, Bleached & Deodorized (RBD) or Coconut Cooking Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) have the same melting point. They are both frozen like a rock in the refrigerator and liquid at any temperature above 76 F.

Hydrogenated coconut oil has a higher melting point of 97-104 F (36-40 C).

Based on your description, the coconut oil seems to be not hydrogenated because it melts above 75 F and solidifies below it.

I think what you have there is RBD coconut oil or coconut cooking oil. VCO has that mild to intense fresh coconut aroma and flavor. RBD is basically scentless and tasteless.

Best,
Frederick