COCONUT OIL PRICES IN UGANDA

Coconut oil is widely-used edible oil for cooking, but it is also known for other industrial uses, like biofuel​, in skincare, and Hair products. This article, therefore, is about the coconut Oil prices in Uganda

Do you know how coconut oil is made, let’s learn about it next

How is Coconut Oil Made?

This oil is produced and extracted by means of pressing. Depending on the coconut meat used, you can either produce virgin coconut oil or refined coconut oil.

Virgin coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconut meat, while refined coconut oil is extracted from copra which is previously dried coconut meat or coconut kernel.

There are two methods of extracting coconut oil, that is the wet and dry method.

The wet method

The wet method of making coconut oil presses fresh coconut meat which to produce both coconut milk and oil.

Coconut Milk and oil are separated by methods like fermentation, enzymes, or centrifuge machines to produce coconut oil.

The dry method

Fully dried coconut meat of a mature coconut is used in the coconut oil-making process in this method.

A small amount of heat is applied in this process of drying the coconut meat, then, using another machine, the coconut oil is extracted by pressing.

What are the Types of Coconut Oil?

Various types of coconut oil are available on the market. Here are the different types of coconut oil and their unique characteristics.

Virgin or Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin oil means that coconut oil is generally unprocessed. Virgin coconut oil is usually not bleached, deodorized, or refined. 

Virgin oil has a coconut scent flavour and heats up to 350° F. unrefined coconut oil will typically be labelled “virgin” or “extra-virgin”. 

 There is not any consistent difference between virgin and extra-virgin coconut oils across all brands.

Though each brand tends to have its own definition of these labels in general both virgin and extra-virgin coconut oils are made from the first pressing of fresh, raw coconut without the addition of any chemicals.

Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil

cold-pressing of coconut is the production of coconut oil by use of heat-controlled environments, without the addition of any chemical. This coconut oil is processed in temperatures not exceeding 120° F (48° C).

By using a heat-controlled process, high-quality coconut oil with abundant phenolic compounds is produced. These preserved substances act as antioxidants that rid the body of free radicals.

 Also, in addition to affecting nutrient quality, the low temperature involved in the process imparts a milder and almost neutral flavour to the cold-pressed coconut oil.

Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil

In contrast to cold-pressed coconut oils, expeller-pressed varieties undergo higher temperature processing (210° F/99° C). The heat involved in the process toasts the produced coconut oil and gives it a nuttier and more characteristic taste.

Hydrogenated Coconut Oil

Hydrogenated coconut oil just like the term describes coconut oils that have undergone the process of hydrogenation.

This means that, in high heat, hydrogen atoms are added to the coconut oil to turn its unsaturated fat components into saturated fats.

This results in a more solid form and longer shelf life as it prevents quick spoilage

It is much cheaper than virgin coconut oil (VCO) and tends to mix better with other industrial ingredients.

 It is further divided into partially hydrogenated and fully hydrogenated ones.

Partially Hydrogenated Coconut Oil

Partially hydrogenated oil is semi-solid in form. It has been regarded as dangerous for food consumption, hence it should be eliminated from food ingredients.

The process of partial hydrogenation creates trans-fats which are associated with heart disease, weight gain, obesity, and stroke.

Fully Hydrogenated Coconut Oil

Fully hydrogenated coconut oil is solidified and has undergone the complete hydrogenation process.

Although fully hydrogenated coconut oil is slightly better than partially hydrogenated one because it is free from harmful trans-fats, this doesn’t mean that it is good for you.

Even still fully hydrogenated coconut oil still contains saturated fats which are also associated with heart disease.

Non-Hydrogenated Coconut Oil

Non-hydrogenated coconut oil is coconut oil that has not undergone the hydrogenation process. The unsaturated content of the oil remains intact and unmodified. This type of oil is healthier for human consumption than hydrogenated ones.

Refined Coconut Oil

Also called refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD), refined coconut oil is highly-processed, which is why it is clear and has a mild (to almost no) taste.

RBD coconut oil comes from dry milled coconuts that have been machine-pressed to release the oil content. The coconuts are baked in high heat before the oil is extracted from them. The high heat deodorizes the coconut oil and then bleaching follows.

 Oil is filtered and passed through bleaching clay to rid it of impurities (such as insects, dust, and even microbes).

Some commercially-available refined coconut oil also undergoes partial hydrogenation to increase its shelf-life.

higher smoke points and cheaper store prices make refined coconut oil a popular cooking staple.

Which Type of Coconut Oil should one Buy in Uganda?

Are you hoping to buy the best possible type of coconut oil on the market? Here is what you should look for;

Study the label, and pay particular attention to the terms. Look out for the following

1. a coconut oil bottle marked with the words “certified organic”.  This ensures that the oil you are about to purchase has not been exposed to harsh pesticides.
2. choose unrefined coconut oil over refined and cheaper ones. This is because the refined variety, through extraction, bleaching, and deodorizing process, has been stripped of its nutrients.
3. avoid hydrogenated coconut oil and stick to non-hydrogenated ones. This eliminates the risk of introducing trans-fat to your food if you use coconut oil for cooking.
4.  Consider buying coconut oil in a glass container as preferred to that in a plastic one. Toxins in plastic may leach over time, compromising the quality of the coconut oil.

You can also read about: The different types of salt and what is best for you.

The Best Uses of Coconut Oil in Uganda

A wide range of benefits and applications are attached to coconut oil.

beauty and healing:

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) has got nourishing and moisturizing properties which restore damaged hair and dry skin.

 It also has healing properties for acne, skin irritation and dandruff in hair

Use it to repel insects in homes and workplaces

Cleaning agent, It is a good makeup remover and as an added ingredient for a tinted lip gloss, as well as for cleaning make-up brushes

cooking: organic, unrefined coconut oil.

 Carrying with it the natural coconut aroma, unrefined coconut oil is simply great for cooking. If you want to maximize the health benefits of coconut oil, use organic, cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil for cooking.

household use: refined coconut oil. 

Although refined coconut oil may still be used for cooking by a few people, it is not the best one.

 You may use refined coconut oil for other household activities as a stain remover, furniture polish, lubricant, or laundry detergent.

What are the coconut oil prices in Uganda?

now let us have a look a the coconut oil prices in Uganda

The price of coconut oil in Uganda will depend on your supplier (retailer, wholesalers, and middle man), where you buy it from (shop, supermarket, and the farm) and its type (organic, refined, virgin or extra virgin)

Coconut oil can be bought from wholesale shops in Kikuubo (downtown), your favourite supermarket near you like mega standard, senana, quality, carrefour

Shopping online is very good as you will be exposed to several producers of coconut oil. Check out the following sites;

Ubuy – here you will find coconut oil products for your skin and hair. Click to look at the prices

Loopzap– here you will find cold-pressed organic coconut oil. Click to look at the prices

Groceries plus– here you will find raw organic cold-pressed coconut oil. Click to look at the prices

Getatoz- here you get to connect with wholesalers, manufacturers and exporters of coconut oil. Click to look at the prices

Owino supermarket- here you will find tropical sun pure coconut oil. Click to look at the prices

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