Product Review: Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil (So Versatile It Can Be Used In Smoothies, Entrees, Baking, Salads, Soups, Desserts AND More!)

Prior to learning about Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil, I was not aware that there was an alternative cooking oil that was high in antioxidants.  I'd heard of coconut milk, coconut water, and of course shredded coconut, but never coconut oil.

And the most amazing thing is how versatile this coconut oil is.  It can be used in everything, including (but not limited to) smoothies, entrees, soups, salads, condiments, desserts, etc.

I've had a chance to try out the Raspberries and Cream Breakfast Smoothie recipe, which I found at Coconut Oil Recipes.  I loved it!  It was refreshing, filling, and made me feel ready to face the day.  Now I can't wait to try out the recipe for Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies.

Be sure to stop my giveaway page and enter to win your own jar of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil so you can try it out yourself!  Enter HERE - now through August 31st



Gold LabelTM Virgin Coconut Oil
by Tropical Traditions
various sizes available
Cooking / Food

Edition Reviewed: 32 oz jar of Gold Label Coconut Oil - Review sample received courtesy of Tropical Traditions, many thanks!

About the Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Characteristics of Our Gold Label^TM Virgin Coconut Oil

This Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is a truly unrefined coconut oil. This coconut oil is made on Mt. Banahaw and surrounding areas from organic coconuts. Coconuts are used fresh (within 24-48 hours of harvest) from small family farms on Mt. Banahaw and other rural places in Quezon Province, the coconut capital of the Philippines. Only the highest quality coconuts are hand-picked from each harvest. The volcanic soil of Mt. Banahaw makes these organic coconuts some of the most nutritionally rich coconuts in the world! Testing done in independent laboratories reveals higher levels of phenolic antioxidants than other coconut oils. The fresh coconut meat is shredded (wet milled), and then cold-pressed using the water from inside the coconuts to make coconut milk. The milk is then allowed to sit for about half a day, while the oil naturally separates from the heavier water. The oil is then filtered from the curds (coconut solids). No chemical or high-heat treatment is used, and this oil contains no trans fatty acids. We do NOT mass produce this oil. It is made by families who are coconut farmers using old-fashioned traditional methods that have been used in the Philippines for hundreds of years. Our coconut trees and family producers are certified organic according to strict USDA standards. The families who produce the oil are also trained according to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards and re-certified each year. This high-grade Virgin Coconut Oil has a long shelf life due to the high antioxidant properties. The Gold Label Standard is our highest standard for Virgin Coconut Oil. Read more.

I highly encourage you to watch this quick video. It is fascinating to see how this coconut oil is made!




About Tropical Traditions: (from the Tropical Traditions site)

The founders of Tropical Traditions are Brian and Marianita Shilhavy.

Brian W. Shilhavy, BA, MA
Brian earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible/Greek from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and his Master of Arts degree in linguistics from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. He is currently the CEO of Tropical Traditions, Inc., and the Editor of Health Impact News.

Marianita Jader Shilhavy, BS, CND (Certified Nutritionist/Dietician in the Philippines) earned her bachelor of science degree in nutrition in Manila. Understanding the nutrition of Filipino foods, Marianita worked for over eight years as a hospital dietician and nutritional counselor in the Philippines.

In 1998 Brian and Marianita returned to the Philippines with their three children and renovated Marianita's old family farmhouse. By this time the coconut industry was severely depressed due to the negative U.S. campaigns against tropical oils in the 1980s and 1990s. Coconut farmers could no longer support their families on the income generated from harvesting coconuts.

For more information about how they started their company, please visit their site here.

16-oz - Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil - 1 pint


*Disclosure: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.  I have chosen to sign up as an affiliate, so if you click through one of the Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil links and make a purchase, I may receive a voucher good for additional product from Tropical Traditions.