Just like peanuts are used to make peanut butter, coconut butter is a spread made using the kernel meat of the coconut. Known as a superfood based on the numerous health and beauty benefits it provides the consumers. Coconut butter is not as creamy as other types of butter. Sometimes its texture varies according to the temperature.
The product is often confused with coconut oil. But coconut oil is a liquid and is mostly used as a substitute for other cooking oils. Coconut butter is a condiment. It can be applied to food as a spread or included in other recipes as an ingredient.
The common manufacturing process of coconut butter in Sri Lanka starts by gathering the kernel when it is ripe and splitting it from the middle. Then it is dried under the sun or on a stove. The Oil is then extracted from the copra which is in very small fragments, leaving a fine paste. This paste is then subjected to a hydraulic press where more oil is extracted. Once the oil is filtered out, edible coconut butter is left. (1)
Culinary Uses of Coconut Butter
Although coconut butter is a food ingredient that is a novelty to the market, it is already favoured by food enthusiasts worldwide. As a result, it has been used in many recipes that need to be passed on.
Coconut Butter with Hot Beverages
Coconut butter is a taste enhancer that can be used on your daily hot beverage to add flavour and goodness. A teaspoon of coconut butter can be added to an empty mug just before coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is poured in. Once stirred evenly, it adds extra flavour making the beverage creamy without the use of any dairy. This is a healthy choice since coconut butter does not contain any fat, unlike dairy additives.
Coconut Butter as a Spread
Coconut butter can be used as a delicious spread on many baked goods. Just like dairy butter, it can be applied on muffins, toast, or other types of baked bread. The small coconut flakes make it look like frosting. If you are allergic to nuts, consider this as a perfect alternative for peanut butter spread. Other than baked goods, coconut butter can also be drizzled over fruits. For anyone who is not comfortable with this method, the butter can be melted and the liquid form can be used to dip the fruits in. It can be enjoyed both ways.
Add Coconut Butter to Smoothies
Coconut butter can also be used to give smoothies a thicker and creamy texture and to increase the healthy fats, fibre, and minerals in them. Adding one or two tablespoons of coconut butter to your favorite smoothie will do the job. It can also be added to porridge and oats. It is a healthy move since it increases the healthy fats in the meal.
Uses of Coconut Butter in the Beauty Industry
The nutritional value of coconut butter serves a lot of purposes. Personal beauty is one of its supported aspects. Most beauticians suggest applying coconut butter topically on the skin and hair in various ways to expect many good results.
A Great Skin Moisturizer
Coconut butter acts great on the skin as a natural moisturizer. It promotes skin elasticity and fights free radicals to maintain a youthful complexion. The antioxidant compounds found in the butter are quickly absorbed by the skin, and it penetrates deep layers. It is a rich source of triglycerides. These fatty acid components get together to create a barrier that locks in moisture. As a result, coconut butter is a frequently used ingredient in the production of many soaps, body butter, and moisturizers.
Helps to Protect the Scalp
Applying coconut butter lightly to the roots of the hair and massaging it in is one of the best treatments for dandruff and dry scalp. It will also stimulate hair growth. This is similar to applying coconut oil, which is a very common practice in South East Asian countries. Coconut butter is also high in essential fatty acids. Therefore, it is good for treating split ends and thinning hair.
Helps to Heal Tattoos
Lauric acid found in coconut butter is effective against bacterial growth. It is also a rich source of collagen, which is an important ingredient that speeds up the wound healing process. It assists cells to the site of the wound, boosting tissue growth. Tattoo aftercare can sometimes get tricky. It is the healing process where the skin repairs itself after thousands of tiny needle pricks. For anyone looking for a solution to help treat healing tattoos, coconut butter is a great option.
Health Benefits of Coconut Butter
Various parts of the coconut are used to make different coconut-based products that serve many purposes. All these products are influenced by the nutritional value of their mother fruit. Coconut butter is rich in fibre and iron, which are both essential ingredients for the body’s functioning.
Coconut Butter vs Cholesterol
According to coconut advocates, coconut butter contains saturated fat. The higher content of this fat is lauric acid. Lauric acid is a saturated fatty acid that has many properties of medium-chain fatty acids. It is known for lowering cholesterol levels and supporting weight loss. Consuming food that contains lauric acid can increase the HDL (good) cholesterol of the body. It will also reduce the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Therefore, it can also support heart health.
Coconut Butter Aids Weight Loss
Consuming a little amount of coconut butter daily can support weight loss. Anyone who is not familiar with the product might find it hard to believe since it sounds like eating fat helps losing weight. But, coconut is not your ordinary stick of butter. Coconut butter is a rich source of medium-chain fatty acids. Unlike long-chain fatty acids, the burning of this fat supports energy generation inside the body making it a metabolism booster. It increases calorie burn and energy levels at the same time.
Boosts Immunity and Fights Viruses
Mother’s milk to her newborn is known as the best immunity booster that protects an infant from diseases and supports strong growth. The HEAL Foundation ranks coconut as second on this list since its immunity-boosting capabilities have been proven strong. According to studies, 20% of breast milk is lauric acid. Coconut butter is a rich source of lauric acid. This value has been passed down by the coconut fruit itself. Lauric acid further helps coconut butter fight off viral infections such as the flu, common cold, and genital herpes. It can also protect the body from chlamydia, bronchitis, and yeast infections.
