the only coconut oil you’ll ever need: Zuddha Organic

Keep reading, I’ll wrap this all up with a GIVEAWAY!

Last month, I had the pleasure of joining Rafe Kelly and a group of amazing people for Return to the Source, an adventure in the Pacific Northwest that had us sleeping under the stars, jumping off cliffs, climbing trees, and getting in touch with what it means to be human. It only seems natural that out of this experience building a tribe and making new friends, I came into contact with Tyson Adams, a generally awesome human and co-creator of Zuddha Organics, a new, one of a kind product that will change your every perception of coconut oil. And here is why….

Two and a half years ago, Tyson walked the streets of Bangkok looking for coconut oil, when he discovered what would later become Zuddha. This oil was noticeably different in taste, smell and texture, and he knew that it needed to make it available all over the world.

Though coconut oil has become very mainstream as of late, the reality is that all coconut oil is NOT created equal. In fact, there are coconut oils out there that are actually soaked in chlorine and some of the so called “cold pressed” oils are actually heated as high as 175 degrees F. Just watch this video to see what I mean:

Back in Seattle several months later, Tyson searched high and low for something like it, but no other oils could compare to that Bangkok coconut oil. Impassioned by the desire to import it to America, Tyson traveled back to Thailand to visit the farm and factory, and eventually partnered with the Thai family who crafts Zuddha. How about that for a family affair?

The taste will make a believer out of you. Though I’ve always liked cooking with coconut oil, you’d have a hard time getting me to eat the stuff out of a jar, but Zuddha is different. When you smell or eat Zuddha, expect a very light and fresh experience with a smooth texture and no grittiness. That fantastic texture, taste and smell are achieved through truly raw processing.

Zuddha is also socially responsible and has developed a “give back” component to the brand. We donate 1% to the not-for-profit Ayurvedic Institute, which promotes the use of coconut oil for whole body wellness. Goodbye pharmaceuticals. Hello holistic health.

The word Zuddha is a 3,200-year-old Sanskrit word that embodies Zuddha Organic coconut oil – pure, simple and unequaled. For those of you who have tasted water from a fresh coconut, you know it’s a far fresher experience than drinking pasteurized coconut water from a can or bottle from the grocery store. Eating Zuddha is similar in that it’s noticeably different in freshness and taste than other brands that have been processed at high heats.

What exactly does cold-pressed mean, and how does Zuddha do it?

“Cold pressed” is an unregulated marking term that is widely abused in the coconut oil industry. Cold pressing describes manual or machine pressing without heating the raw material beforehand. For example, sesame seeds can be pressed to make sesame oil. The term cold pressed came from the olive oil industry; when you press an olive, fruit, you get oil. However, coconuts produce milk, not oil. In order to extract coconut oil, the coconut meat has to first be heated and dehydrated. The coconut oil industry standard for cold pressing (depending upon the manufacturer) is 175 – 212°F (80 – 100°C), which produces inferior coconut oils and contributes to strong smelling and tasting coconut flavors, sometimes with strange, metallic and rancid tastes and odors. The higher the heat, the stronger the smell and taste becomes.

At Zuddha, we heat our oil no higher than 113°F (45°C), which is the same ambient temperature of coconuts when they’re on the ground at the farm waiting to be husked. Therefore, our method of cold pressing makes our oil raw-qualified.

What does “virgin” mean, and how does it apply to coconut oil?

The term “virgin” means unrefined oil. Despite what some companies may have you believe, there is no difference between “virgin” and “extra virgin.” Virgin oil is far healthier than R.B.D. (refined, bleached and deodorized) processing, which usually includes dried coconut (copra) often cracked and left out under the sun and exposed to the elements, including animals, insects, molds and other things you don’t want your food exposed to. Manufacturers will often use solvents and hexane to separate oil from the coconut meat. Those cleaning chemicals then show up in the oil, in turn also leaving microorganisms that need to be cleaned from the oil for it to be safely consumed. Manufacturers then clean and refine the oil through distillation under high heat. By comparison, choosing virgin coconut oil such as Zuddha is the organic option.

Zuddha’s oil is truly virgin because it is never refined, bleached or deodorized and we never use chemicals, hexanes or solvents. Our coconuts are only touched by purified water, and are washed three times before being shredded for oil extraction.

What makes Zuddha a RAW-qualifed food?

As raw foods become more popular, many manufactures are boasting “raw” on their labels. However, there are no laws, governance, rules or enforcement of guidelines for use of the term “raw” or for the processes associated with producing raw foods. A raw diet consists of unprocessed raw plant foods that have not been heated above 104-120°F (40-49°C). Many people believe that food cooked above these temperatures lose much of their nutritional value and are less healthy. As it applies to coconut oil, raw processing allows oil to maintain its fresh taste; overheating typically gives coconut oil a cooked or strong flavor. Zuddha is processed at 113°F (45°), which makes our oil raw-qualified. This is just half of the industry standard for heating.

The main difference between this oil and the majority of coconut oils in the industry is that Zuddha is certified raw. This sets us apart in taste and smell and is achieved through our state-of-the-art, fast-freezing proprietary method. The freezing process is one step before our oil extraction process, which allows for us to use low temperatures. Our small-batch process results in a coconut oil that is far superior in taste, smell and texture to any other oil on the market.

Want to learn more about how you can help bring this coconut oil to the masses? Click HERE to see how.

So how should you use it?

Well here are some ideas:

We’ll start with dessert… the first thing I made with this coconut oil was my most favorite simple chocolate chunk almond cookies. Trust me on this one. Life. Changing.
Or for an on-the-go snack, try these coconut protein cups!
Try adding some to your coffee or tea
Add a bit to any smoothie for enriched texture and a great nutrient dense punch!
Give oil pulling a try – I’ve been doing this for about 6 months now, and I feel better than ever (my teeth are healthier than ever too)
Use on your skin and hair for vibrance, smoothness, and silky softness
Even eat it on it’s own! Drizzle some on parchment paper, stick it in the freezer and break into bite-sized pieces. It’s a great pre-workout energy boost.
And of course you can use it to cook almost anything!