The Great Coconut Oil Taste Test – Part 2

So here we are, ready to give it a go with the coconut oil taste testing.

Click here if you missed part 1 of our review.

We were taste testing the three different coconut oils I have in the house.  Spectrum, Nutiva and Tropical Traditions Gold.  Because I didn’t want to prejudice the panel (my two daughters) we did a blind testing. So scientific huh? I marked the forks with a different color that coordinated with the jar of oil so I would know.

Unfortunately my oldest daughter could tell one difference right away.  The Spectrum is refined coconut oil and therefore has a more “yellow” color than the other two which are both unrefined.  So I had them close their eyes too and mixed up the forks so they wouldn’t know.

They tasted each, clearing the palette in between each with some weak tea.  My youngest daughter doesn’t really like the taste of coconut oil by itself so this wasn’t so pleasant for her.  The oldest enjoys it so she was pretty happy.

The results?  The oldest liked Nutiva best and the youngest liked the Tropical Traditions best.  They do have a very similar taste but I’d have to go with the Nutiva myself too.  I’m wondering if it has to do with the fact that it’s “extra virgin” coconut oil. The Tropical Traditions oil was delicious too, just had a little aftertaste that we couldn’t figure out.

The Spectrum oil is good for cooking, definitely, but not for just eating. I don’t think I’d use spectrum in my baking either now that I’ve done the taste test.  It’s definitely more bland with little coconut flavor at all.

No matter which oil you decide to try give coconut oil a try. It’s great stuff and good for you too!  Just make sure that when you do buy it, if you’re not buying any of these three brands, that you look specifically for unrefined, virgin organic coconut oil.

You can purchase Tropical Traditions on their website - please use the refer a friend button when you do and add our sponsor ID referral number:  5839772.  If this is your first order and you use the referral number you’ll get a free book!

Nutiva Coconut oil is available via Peapod as well as Amazon.com.

And Spectrum oils can be found in most grocery stores now.

***Update***
The folks at Tropical Traditions sent me a quick email thanking us for the review and pointing out something about the taste differences. Here’s what they said:

Taste is so subjective, however what you may have been experiencing with our brand is that it is handmade, in small batches on small farms using a fermentation process or the “old way” of allowing the fiber and the oil to separate naturally. We have a section on our site that you may find helpful, it discusses what some companies call “Extra” Virgin Coconut Oil: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/what_is_virgin_coconut_oil.htm

And the disclaimer:
Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.  Neither Nutiva or Spectrum provided a sample for review – I had both jars in my house already for personal use.

Not your typical mom, Annette doesn't actually love shopping but realizes she knows it's something she needs to do. She's a homeschooling, husband loving mom of two wonderful daughters who do love to shop!