How to Extract Coconut Oil From Milk

Coconut oil is extracted from the milk of a coconut, a process that can be done at home.

The extraction of coconut oil from coconut milk is a simple process that allows you to get the most out of a coconut fruit. A coconut consists of the water found within, milk that can be extracted from the meat, oil that can be extracted from the milk, and the meat itself, which is edible. Homemade coconut oil is all-natural and a healthy alternative to other hydrogenated oils. It can be used in cooking, for its fragrance, in massage therapy and on the skin and hair for added moisture.

Things You'll Need

• Coconut
• Grater
• Cloth or net bag
• Clear glass jar

Instructions

1. Remove the husk, shells, and store the water of two or three mature coconuts, leaving you with the coconut meat.

2. Grate the coconut meat finely and put the grated pieces in a cloth or net bag. The holes of the bag should be large enough to allow liquid to be squeezed through.

3. Squeeze the bag to remove the milk of the coconut from the meat. Dip the bag occasionally in the coconut water and squeeze repeatedly.

4. To remove the oil from the milk, choose between natural fermentation and heating processes. Natural fermentation allows the milk to sit, separating over time to leave the coconut water on the bottom and the oil, colorless or pale-yellow in nature, floating on the top. Heating the oil involves cooking the coconut milk over a low heat until the oil naturally thickens and separates. The coconut water will evaporate leaving only the oil remaining.

5. Separate the oil from the water and store in a clean, lidded jar.

References

• Making Coconut Oil: The Old Chamorro Way