Today I wanted to share comparison facts about coconut oil vs. olive oil. Both oils are important to incorporate in a daily diet, each having their own unique benefits. Coconut oil may be new to many people, but it is much like olive oil. Let’s take a look at the breakdown of each:

Kelapo Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil vs. Olive Oil

Coconuts are first removed from the coconut tree and then the extra virgin coconut oil is extracted from the meat on the insides of the coconut through a cold-expeller press.The coconut oil is a stark, bright white color and has a fresh coconut smell. The taste profile of coconut oil is light and sweet, with subtle hints of actual coconut. The flavor is wonderfully versatile in both savory and sweet dishes. Coconut oil differs from olive oil, in that most of the fats in coconut oil are saturated fats, such as lauric acid, but coconut oil benefits from not having trans-fat or cholesterol. Unlike olive oil, coconut oil can change between a liquid and solid state very easily. Whenever the temperature is above 76 degrees Fahrenheit, coconut oil will be liquid. Below 76, coconut oil is a solid.

Olive oil is a traditional Mediterranean oil that’s made by pressing and extracting oil from olives. The result, as everyone is familiar with, is a light to medium golden yellow color and fresh aroma. The taste profile of olive oil is mild and smooth making it perfect for salads and pasta dishes. Health wise, olive oil contains mostly monounsaturated fats, such as oleic acid, and doesn’t contain trans-fat or cholesterol.

Benefits

Both coconut oil and olive oil contain 120 calories per tablespoon. All of the calories in both oils come from fats. The one difference between both oils is the saturated vs. unsaturated fat contents. Saturated fat was once considered bad for you but research is now being conducted to suggest that plant-based saturated fats, like coconut oil, may not have the same negative effects of animal based saturated fats, like butter. When cooking with coconut oil, you substitute any quantity of butter or oil in a 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe calls for ½ cup of butter, you would use ½ cup coconut oil. Besides cooking, you may want to try adding coconut oil into your everyday routine. Coconut oil can be great for boosting energy, immunity, skin care, hair care, healing, and digestion. The benefits of coconut oil are endless.

Overall, coconut and olive oil are very similar yet still very different. Don’t give up your olive oil, but don’t ignore coconut oil either. While olive oil is good for cold dishes, like salads, coconut oil is great for stir fry and also for baking. How will you use coconut oil recipes in your kitchen?

– Kayla