The main difference between refined and unrefined Coconut Oil comes down to how it is processed at the manufacturing level based on the types of coconuts used. The process for refined Coconut Oil includes baking the coconuts in high heat prior to the oil being extracted, and then bleaching it to kill off bacteria. This coconuts used in this chemical refining process are typically dried and old coconuts (also known as copra). Refined Coconut Oil traditionally goes through a heat based extraction process which changes the chemical structure of the fatty acids found in the Coconut Oil and therefore, strips away most of the nutritional benefits, natural fatty acids, and the antioxidant and antibacterial capacity of the oil.
Unrefined Coconut Oil is the purest and most natural form of Coconut Oil as it is extracted from fresh coconuts with no chemical processing. Our Coconut Oil in particular is cold-pressed and centrifuged, which refers to the method of extracting Coconut Oil from the coconut milk from the coconut meat. This process helps preserve all of the healthy benefits of the coconut. There is no bleaching or chemical additives involved, just 100% pure Coconut Oil.