Why your coconut oil went solid, and other storage questions

Coconut oil has a melting point of roughly 24°C. Below that it sets into a firm white solid; above it, it is clear and liquid. Both states are the same oil, and moving between them does it no harm at all.

Solid is a good sign

Heavily refined oils are often processed in ways that keep them liquid at lower temperatures. Ours is unrefined, so it behaves the way coconut oil naturally does. If your bottle sets hard in an air-conditioned room, that is the oil telling you it has not been messed with.

To use it, stand the closed bottle in warm water for a few minutes, or scoop out what you need and warm it between your palms. Avoid the microwave — it heats unevenly and you lose some of the aroma for no good reason.

Shelf life

Unopened, our oils keep for 24 months in a cool, dry cupboard away from direct sunlight. Once opened, use a clean dry spoon rather than fingers — water and crumbs are what actually spoil an oil, not time.

Coconut water is different

Coconut water has no preservatives in it. Unopened it is fine at room temperature until its date, but once you open a bottle or pouch, refrigerate it and drink it within 48 hours.