Coconut butter has many benefits- because it is a medium-chain fatty acid it gets burned for energy so it aids weight loss. It is known to boost immunity, has many antibacterial characteristics- it contains lauric acid which has been known to treat viral infections, such as the flu, the common cold, cold sores and more. It helps to prevent diseases and contains beneficial fiber. Since coconut butter is a medium-chain fatty acid (and gets burned for energy), it may provide a boost for athletic performance.
We have heard over and over how good coconut oil is for us, well coconut butter has the same properties as oil with one addition- fiber! Coconut butter can be added to smoothies, “nice” creams, and used as a topping for baked sweet potatoes or toast.
Raw coconut butter isn’t cheap. A jar could cost you $12 or more but you can make it for yourself for just $4 and all you need is a food processor.
Ingredients:
1 lb of organic unsweetened shredded coconut
Put the coconut into your food processor and turn it on. How easy is that?? You will have to scrape down the sides occasionally and it should just take you about 5-10 minutes. If the coconut is very dry it may take longer to draw the oils out of it but for the most part it is just about 10 minutes.
The coconut butter is shelf stable and will keep for months but you will use it up long before it will ever go bad. It will firm up in colder weather and soften in warmer weather but it won’t go bad.
Recipe by Raw Chef Debra Garner
To learn more about the raw food/plant based diet and Debra’s services please visit her website. She offers a 6 week raw vegan/plant based coaching program as well as ready made raw vegan creations.