Thread: How To Make Coconut Oil

While this wasn't actually done in Thailand, I believe the methodology is much the same....

A few years ago my daughter needed to do a "science" project. After a bit of discussion we decided we'd demonstrate how to make coconut oil the old fashioned way.


First you need to gather coconuts. We had about 100 trees, so this wasn't too tough. The oil content will be higher if you pick nuts that feel from the tree when fully ripe, but which haven't sat around long enough to sprout.


Next step is to husk the nuts. Coconuts are tough, but with the right tool and some practice you can do it pretty quickly. This happens to be an iron bar welded to an old wheel rim. We've also used a pick with one end buried in the ground or even a sharpened piece of ironwood buried in the ground.


I think we husked about a dozen nuts.


The next step is to remove the meat from the husk. We're using a notched, curved piece of steel that's connected to a short stool. In the old days they would have used a piece of clam or oyster shell instead of the steel.

Next you need to dissolve the oil and sugar (both water soluble) out of the grated coconut.


You add a bit of water and mush it up with your hands to get the oil into solution. Then you squeeze and strain it. We're using a normal kitchen strainer here, but you can also use a piece of cloth or the bark of certain plants. The solution of water, coconut oil and sugar is called coconut milk. It is often used in cooking.


Next step is to reduce the coconut milk by simmering it over some heat. When it gets to be quite thick it is known as coconut cream. This is used in desserts. The Trukese make a wonderful dish consisting of pounded breadfruit smothered with sweetened coconut cream.

You can see how much the coconut milk has been reduced. You can also see the oil beginning to separate. The oil floats on top, the sugar stays at the bottom. When the sugar starts to brown you know that enough water has been simmered away and its time to ladle the oil off the top.


You need to stir it to keep the sugar from burning.


Here's the final product. Oil on the left, brown coconut sugar on the right. All those coconuts and all that work and this is all we got!

I've been told that it makes good lamp oil.

Originally Posted by Bluecat

In any case, if you make coconut oil, sell it, do not use it for yourself or your family.

It's good on the hair, though....

Originally Posted by Thetyim

This is the one which we still use at our home.

Yes, very similar. What do they make the slotted tang out of? In Saipan they seemed to favor steel spoons from the WWII era.

Originally Posted by buadhai

What do they make the slotted tang out of?

Steel.

There is a village not far from here that is famous for its knives and implements. I guess it was made there.

Don't let them bring you down Buddhai. New studies show a different thing about coconut oil. Take a look at this site and how coconut oil saved a Tsunami victims life.
Coconutoil.com - Research on Coconut Oil's Benefits
First it was the eggs, then milk, butter and so on.

Anyway cute post, I like it. Are those your children? Gives me an idea to start a thread with my two little ones.
While I was in Thailand last year, we visited my wifes uncle. He has a little shop and sells pure-fresh coconut cream, and thai curry. He lives in the south and sells it even all the way to Bangkok.
You can imagine he has a lot of coconuts. He gave me one to try which he said is special, very soft and tasty. Only one out of three coconut (something like that) trees has this coconut. Do you know the name of that coconut. My wife is trying to remember the name.

P.S. My hands are burning like mad. I made chilly marmalade (first time) this afternoon. Anyone ever tried it?

^ Get someone else to hold your knob while taking a piss, otherwise you will regret it

Originally Posted by HermantheGerman

Don't let them bring you down Buddhai. New studies show a different thing about coconut oil. Take a look at this site and how coconut oil saved a Tsunami victims life.

I know about the controversy over palm oils. I think it's just one of those things that will be difficult to prove either way.

Anyway, the thread is not about using coconut oil but showing how it's made by hand. One of those arts that will be lost one day.

BTW, the girls are natural sisters. The one with the Quicksilver t-shirt is my adopted daughter.

The kitchen and garden are both in the house I built on Saipan.

I've had bread fruit in various forms over the years and love it.

What exactly is it? Is it something that could be grown in Thailand?

Breadfruit is tree native to the Indian Ocean and Pacific Islands. The fruit itself is usually prepared as a vegetable and is a staple in many places. The fruit is very starchy and can be prepared in the same way that potatoes can be prepared: baked, boiled, mashed, fried, etc.

Originally Posted by Bluecat

In any case, if you make coconut oil, sell it, do not use it for yourself or your family.

You ca run a diesel engine on coconut oil

Originally Posted by Thetyim

You can run a diesel engine on coconut oil

There you go. I should have bought a Vigo instead of a Vios....

I used coconut oil a lot when I lived in the Philippines, they still make it in some provinces, but costs a lot more than the flavourless refined oils you buy in supermarkets.

It's delicious, and will keep a long time.

Try frying your breakfast eggs in it! Also good for curries.

I know a guy that uses it to shave with.
Claims he has no shaving rash problems since he switched to using it.

mmmm coconut oil....this makes me think of all those lovely ladies sizzling away on the beach in naughty thongs, turning once every 30 minutes to rub more coconut oil products on their bronze bodies.

Ah, the smell of it!

Got any pictures ?

^ you dont normally need asking twice!