Creamy Dreamy Coconut Butter

Coconut butter comes from heaven. It's naturally sweet and creamy, and amazing straight off the spoon. It even has that fluffy white cloud appearance and anything that's perfect straight from the jar, in my opinion is from heaven. There are other ways to enjoy it though, instead of conventional butter, on toast, in desserts, smoothies or you can make coconut milk out of it with just 1 spoonful, just make sure you don't mix it with cold water because that would be silly.

What forced me to make my own coconut butter (and I'm SO happy I did!) was because I ran out and would you believe it everywhere was out in Australia, except for one online shop selling one jar for $35! I was willing to pay but I thought, maybe I'll see if there is a way I can make some...

Making coconut butter is just TOO easy... all you need to do is process desiccated coconut until the oil melts and the fibre blends smooth. Desiccated coconut contains no water, it has been dehydrated but it still contains the fats. The blending process heats the fat making it a liquid when you're finished. It will harden up as the temperature cools. Note 200gm coconut flakes makes 180gm/ 6.3oz jar of butter.

Step 1. Buy organic, unsweetend desiccated coconut flakes. ***Note the better quality the coconut, the better tasting butter.

Step 2. Put the flakes in a high powered blender (or food processor but this will take longer).

Coconut flakes ready for take off... turn on blender

Step 3. After about 3 mins of blending... getting there, the fibre isn't smooth yet...

Step 4. Wallah, the butter is born!

Step 5. Pour into a jar and store in the cupboard or eat. So yummy!

 

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been used in traditional medicine systems for thousands of years, Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine) uses the oil both on and in the body. It is said to "cool" the body, good for the lungs, promote hair growth, is a natural aphrodisiac, and for skin health.

1. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, an important fatty acid, which has an antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial effect in the body. Another good source of lauric acid comes from breast milk. Boosts the immune system.

2. It contains caprylic acid, making it a potent antifungal. A great oil for candida sufferers.

3. It contains mostly of saturated medium chain fatty acids (medium chain triglycerides MCT's), which are known to increase metabolism and promote weight loss and raise basal body temerature. Ideal for people with low thyroid function.

4. Coconut oil prevents oxidative stress. One of the reasons the long chain fatty acids in vegetable oils are so damaging is that they oxidize quickly and quickly become rancid. Coconut oil is saturated and already stable even at high temperatures, whereas omega 6's (olive oil, sunflower oil etc will become rancid).

5. Coconut oil is a saturated fat that contains NO cholesterol and will help lower LDL cholesterol levels.

6. Coconut oil is beneficial for skin health, both used externally as a moisturiser and internally.

7. Increases energy levels, through its thyroid boosting properties and encourages stable blood sugar.

8. Promotes weight loss again, through the thyroid and bosting the metabolism and allowing greater calorie expenditure.

Love

Ulyana...