Superfood Series: Coconut Butter – A Dairy-Free Butter Alternative

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Superfood Series: Coconut Butter – A Dairy-Free Butter Alternative

Image Credit: CocoWonder

Coconut is often called as the “tree of life” because of the variety of products that can be obtained from it. In my previous posts, I have talked about coconut sugar and coconut flour. This time I’m going to share with you another coconut wonder – the coconut butter. 

Coconut butter is made by grinding pure coconut meat until it reaches a creamy, butter-like consistency. It is a dairy-free, nut-free and vegan alternative to the regular milk-based butter. It has a milky and slightly sweet flavor with a strong coconut aroma. Actually, its taste and smell remind me of latik which is a Filipino term for coconut curds that are often used as toppings on sweet rice cakes.

Health Benefits of Coconut Butter

Boost Immune System

Coconut butter (just like coconut oil) contains about 50% lauric acid. Lauric acid is known for its antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties. It is the same component that is present in a mother’s breast milk which can boost the immune system of babies. So if you feel that you’re about to get a common cold, then it’s the perfect excuse to incorporate coconut butter in your daily diet.

Help Burn Body Fat

A lot of people think that eating coconut butter can make them fat because coconut contains high percentage of saturated fat. Actually, it has the opposite effect – coconut butter can help you lose weight. How is that possible? It’s because 60% of the saturated fats in coconut butter are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Medium-chain triglycerides are known as “healthy” fats because they get burn in our body to provide energy. In other words, they are not being stored as fats rather they aid in burning calories, making coconut butter a metabolism booster.

Pack with Fiber and Minerals

Unlike coconut oil which only contains fat, a tablespoon of coconut butter contains about 2 grams of dietary fiber and a little bit of potassium, magnesium and iron. The fiber in coconut butter helps to regulate bowel movement, cholesterol and blood sugar level.

Different Ways to Use Coconut Butter

Butter Spread

Spread coconut butter on top of freshly toasted breads, crackers or hot pancakes. Take note though that at room temperature (20 – 25 C), coconut butter is very solid. So before using it as a spread, you need to place the jar of coconut butter in a bowl of hot water and wait for it to soften to a spreadable consistency.

Non-Dairy Coffee Creamer

For people with lactose intolerance issue, you can add a teaspoon of coconut butter into your hot cup of coffee as an alternative to dairy-based coffee creamer.

Soup Flavor Enhancer

One way to make a creamy and savory soup is to add a dollop of coconut butter into it. For instance, coconut butter complements well with a curry-based soup (in the same way that Thai uses coconut milk in their curry dishes).

Smoothies

Pack some extra fiber and nutrients to your daily smoothies by adding a tablespoon of coconut butter just like this Banana and Coconut Butter Smoothie by Aggie’s Kitchen.

Oatmeal

Make your morning oatmeal extra creamy and sweet without the addition of milk by stirring a tablespoon of coconut butter while the oatmeal is still hot.

Homemade Dairy-Free Ice Cream

If you’re craving for ice cream but worry about its high calorie and sugar content, then try this simple and healthier Coconut Banana Ice Cream made with just coconut butter and frozen bananas, how simple is that?

Coconut-Coated Frozen Fruits

One of the interesting things about coconut butter is it solidifies as soon as it touches anything cold, so it’s a perfect alternative for chocolates when it comes to making chocolate-coated fruits. This Frozen Raspberries with Coconut Butter by In Sonnet’s Kitchen is a great starter recipe you can try with other frozen fruits.

Where to Buy Coconut Butter in the Philippines

I bought my coconut butter from CocoWonder which is available in 250g and 500g from Shopee and Lazada. Their coconut butter is 100% organic, non-GMO and free from stabilizers and extenders. CocoWonder only uses pure and high-quality matured coconut in making their coconut butter.

Have you tried coconut butter? Share your favorite ways of using coconut butter in the comment section below.

References:

Coconut Butter: The Better, Healthier Butter. Retrieved from https://draxe.com/coconut-butter/

Ask the Diet Doctor: Coconut Oil Vs. Coconut Butter. Retrieved from https://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/ask-diet-doctor-coconut-oil-vs-coconut-butter

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and purchase the products, I’ll receive some commission.

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