Organic Virgin Coconut Oil – Where to Buy

Yes, the best deal now is the 5 gallon quantity. I’m sure not excited about dividing that up, though. It appears we may be ordering individually. I’ll keep looking, though…maybe there’s another site.

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Just an update on what I found. The cheapest place I found for coconut oil at this point is greenpasture.org. When ordering 12+ the price is $36/gallon. With shipping, that comes out to a few $$ more than Mountain Rose with their 20% discount, but I found their shipping to be a little less for where I live in relation to their location, so it comes out very close. I did try all the other links, and several others I researched on my own. I have gone with GP as I needed it “yesterday.” I have a group of 20+ ladies that I order for, and the next shipment is already nearly sold out! Some young mamas and single gals who buy by the quart or half gallon (I will split for them) but most take a gallon. Some buy it for friends and relatives in other states. Sure wish someone would do even deeper discounts for quantities of 24! I’ll keep looking….

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Since Mtn Rose doesn’t offer the discount the Green Pastures oil is about $6-8 cheaper per gallon, but ONLY if you order 12 or more. I may not have stated that clearly.

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Hi Kelly – I feel like I just stumbled on a kindred sister! I will sure enjoy your site and all the contributions by others here.

I just received a shipment of organic extra virgin unrefined organic oil today, packed in food grade plastic, for $3.90 per pound, plus about $6 per gallon shipping (we are a distance). The trick here is that this is packaged for soap makers, by a food company (columbus foods).

A friend told me that she investigated, contacted the owners, and was assured that the standards for soap making oils are actually higher than for edible oils. This is indeed Kosher, organic, ex. virgin unrefined. I verified it personally. I have ordered there since. The product is identical in taste, color, texture, smell and appearrance to the CO we have used for years from Nutiva and Mountain Rose.

One small caveat is that it is shipped in a ‘liquid’ food oil container (#2 food grade plastic, sealed). So, here in MI, our CO is almost always solid on the shelf, and I must soak the container in a sink of warm water when it arrives, no problem, and pour it into my Nutiva quart jar (to refill).

So far, it is the best price I’ve found – but I will definitely be reading the above in case I missed a better one. : )’

Contact info is: http://www.soaperschoice.com (search the exact organic unrefined oil you need.)

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Thank you Kelly -

I would be interested in reading your information, if you do come across it. : )

I agree that the name, ‘Soaper’s Choice’, is a bit of a hurdle to jump when purchasing oil to consume!

Perhaps I could clarify why an organic, extra virgin, Kosher grade coconut oil – is marketed through Soaper’s Choice?

Soaper’s Choice carries a multitude of products, but happens to be directed at the soap making market. Now, understand that many people produce their own soap and body products specifically to avoid parabens and other toxins that the body will absorb internally. So, it does make sense that these oils are edible, as well. My understanding is that skin and body care ingredients are actually more highly regulated than foods (talk about political correctness!)

Columbus Foods is the parent/sister company of Soapers choice – in fact you will notice the sites are linked. Columbus foods is Wholesale, and sells by the drum. Soapers Choice is their retail market, and they sell (food grade) oils marketed to soap makers. Their oils are packaged in food grade plastic, and with the Columbus Foods’ label.

This is the identical product that Columbus Foods sells for consumption, by the drum, but packaged in food grade (#2 plastic) containers. Columbus Foods is not a retail company, and doesn’t package or sell CO to the public – but they do offer (the identical oil) through Soaper’s Choice.

Anyone interested in purchasing CO from them may call (800) 322-6457 before ordering, to verify this information if they like (as I did.) I got the feeling, that they get this question a lot.

This product is identical in every aspect to what I have always purchased: food grade, Kosher, organic, cold pressed extra virgin CO.
: ) I pour it right into my Nutiva quart jar, and store the rest in the original jug.

I never would have ventured to Soaper’s Choice in the first place, had a friend not told me this, either. But I am glad to find this excellent oil at such a great price: I use a lot of it for our family of 7.

btw – I have no vested interest in the company, lol. I am simply a thrifty N.T. type wife/mom, who does her research! I’ve been extremely happy with this product for about a year now.

I wouldn’t buy an oil for my precious family to consume, that wasn’t produced FOR consumption – and I am assured that it is. “Let every man be convinced in his own heart,” (Romans) might be a good reminder in this conversation! Lol.

HTH
Christine

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Lol, Kelly. I know what you mean about those endless, mind boggling threads! : D

Tell you what…I will contact both companies about the temperature their oils are processed at, and get back to you. : )

My understanding was that Columbus Foods (ie: SC) oil was expeller pressed (is that the correct term), and not heated. But I will check.

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Columbus Foods responded Monday. The information they gave is consistent with an email conversation I had about a year ago with the owner, and that of the friend who referred me to CF.

Here is their answer to my question about how their OXV CO is processed, how long coconuts sit after harvest, and whether the oil is heated and to what temperature:

“Christine,

The Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is processed immediately after
harvesting. The Oil is cold pressed.

Eileen Knuerr
Specialty Oils Department
Columbus Vegetable Oils, http://www.soaperschoice.com
800-322-6457 x8946
(fax) 847-257-8853″

Hope that helps. : )

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Kelly – I will ask again, but I’m assuming cold means, whatever temp. it is at. I know here in MI, my CO is always liquid in the summer – I assume it is above 70 anywhere coconuts are harvested, so that it would be liquid any way. I know it must be handled above 70 since it is packaged in a liquid oil container (such as corn oil used to come in). But I will ask one more time. : )

Btw my Nutiva jar states that ‘CO is ideal as a high-heat cooking oil up to 350.’ So even if cold pressed expeller heats it to 100…I’m not sure that would present a change in the benefits?

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Wow, what a great post. Kelly, you are one bulldog when it comes to research! My question is – how long does it last? Does it oxidize or just go rancid? It’s spendy to buy at the health food store in the bottle size they carry but if it goes bad quickly that’s no use to me buying larger quantities for the same price either.

Thanks!

Annette’s last blog post..Upcoming Sustainable Classes

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Mountain Rose told me that there is ‘no limited shelf life’ for coconut oil but that it should be consumed within a year or so. They did not have a date on their bucket when I ordered it (I used 2 of their gallons in the past.)

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You guys are great! I had some spectrum virgin oil & nutiva virgin oil and did a little taste test last night. The nutiva has a slightly “nuttier” flavor which really rounded it out more to my taste buds. Not sure why. The spectrum had more of a pure coconut flavor so maybe if you aren’t so keen on coconut nutiva would be better for you.

Annette’s last blog post..Upcoming Sustainable Classes

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Correction: the web page I went to was http://www.greenpasture.org

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I just ordered some coconut oil from Mt. Rose and paid only 49.42 shipped, perhaps they lowered their prices, not sure, but thought I would pass on the new info. I was certainly excited to see the lower price

Charlsie Swadley’s last blog post..Josiah’s birth!

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Hi Kelly,
I wanted to let you know about a local buying club near you for buying coconut oil. You may already be involved in it, I’m not sure. Sorry it doesn’t help your readers that aren’t local but here are some of the prices and just email me for more info.
1 gallon of Olive – Extra Virgin Organic $23.10/gallon
and 1/2 gallon Coconut – Extra Virgin Organic $16.80/half gallon

Kelly E.’s last blog post..Proof of God Through Olivia

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I’ve tried several brands of coconut oil and am always on the lookout for better brands at better prices. This gives me some good ideas, thanks. I like Nutiva brand a lot as well as others.
The terms “virgin” and “extra-virgin” are unregulated and essentially meaningless when it comes to coconut oil. You have to go by each company’s explanation of what they mean by those terms, how they process, at what temperatures, etc. Clearly there are several ways to do it.
“Cold-pressed” is almost nonsensical in reference to coconut oil. These aren’t little olives or seeds. I’m no expert on coconut oil processing (though I have read quite a bit about it over the years) but it seems obvious this term is being applied, as are “virgin” and “extra-virgin,” to give certain impressions to the customer based on what those terms mean in the world of olive oil and other nut and seed oils. As wonderful as coconut oil is, one still has to beware the hype from even reputable companies. Unfortunately, most of our information comes from people marketing one brand or another, when it comes to these processing issues and terminology.
Keep up the good work, Kelly!

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Hi Kelly,
I just bought the 54 oz. of Nutiva from Raw World and it looks as though the price has gone up a few dollars. Thought I’d let you know so you can update.

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Hey Kelly!
I love coconut oil, and use it in cooking as well as for skin and hair treatments. I actually work for a company that sells excellent coconut oil in bulk. It’s AfricaImports Check it out!

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I was wondering if anyone has bought coconut oil or any oil from http://www.bulknaturaloilsstore.com ? They have awesome products, but it seems to good to be true. Their organic virgin coconut oil is only $26 a gallon. If anyone has boughten from them please let me know what you think. Thanks!

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After my personal conversations with Columbus Foods (ie: Soapers’ Choice), as well as comparing notes with friends who have continued to purchase their XVCO from them, I have continued to purchase their extra virgin, unrefined, organic, cold pressed coconut oil (packed in food grade plastic half gallons.)

If *I* were not convinced that I am buying THE very best organic unrefined c.o., at the best price, I would find a new source.

I know several other families who switched to CF, who are also still satisfied. They have each done their own research, and have contacted CF with their own questions, before trying CF.

Years back, I used to buy Nutiva & Traditions brands, and it is identical in taste, smell, texture as well as the processing description. I’ve used CF oil for my family for a couple years now and continue to find it excellent.

btw – It has come to my attention that it is against federal law for a company NOT to disclose accurate information to anyone who asks for it. I encourage anyone who has questions to simply call Columbus Foods directly and get first hand information. ; )

Hope that helps, Sarah. : D

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Hello Kelly. I know this may be off topic. But I was wondering if you ever would make a post about the health benefits of red palm oil? I use both coconut and palm oil on a daily basis. And my health has been amazing from using them both. Please let me know what you think about red palm oil.

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I use the wilderness family naturals palm oil when I make my crackers. It gives them a nice texture and pleasing golden color like Ritz crackers. Just use the Mary Enig soaked cracker recipe.

http://www.sustainableeats.com/2009/05/21/sustainable-crackers/

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I have been reading about the deforestation of rain forests to plant tropical trees; i.e. palm and coconut palms for oil production. Do you have any info on this and where i can find coconut oil that is derived from fairly managed plantations? Thanks!

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