Hi Julian, Coop's contains trans-fat.  I guess they want it to remain solid at room temperature.  Migros is reasonable at 10Sfr per liter but it's RBD (refined/bleached/deodorized).  I'm hoping for a virgin product.

It matters because I'm eating it.  =)

Www.iherb.com it's a US website but they deliver to Switzerland for $4 if the order weighs less than 4lbs. Smaller orders don't incur import tax.

Hi Richard,  €32/liter is extremely high. If you can mange to import or know any local importer, you can buy slightly larger volumes from a direct manufacturer. One I know is jc organics from Indonesia. We buy organic coffee from them & very happy with their service. www.jc-organics.com. All the best.

You're the man! RBD coconut oil is what I'm looking for exactly. In which shop did you see it?

I originally bought this (in 5 litre bottles ) which makes the cost manageable as remains fresh for months) direct from http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/virgin_coconut_oil.htm

However, I found similarly priced size and quality just over the border here just outside St-Julien-en-Genevois

BioFrais

6 route de Lathoy

74160 Saint-Julien-en-Genevois

 It's a large well stocked bio-supermarket and the owner is very helpful and friendly, as are the staff.

In Migros.  In a little white plastic tub near the cooking oils. Blue label. 

They don't specify that it's RBD but I'm guessing that it is due to the neutral flavor and the low price. 

Thanks. Will have a look to see, if I can find out and the price is OK. Were I to cook with it, I'd go for Tropical Traditions, but for a PC coolant, it's clean RBD.

Website of Bio-supermarket

http://www.biofrais.com

Just to clarify, From the original suppliers I could order Bio virgin coconut oil either with coconut taste, or Bio with neutral flavour.

After studying their explanations Bio with neutral flavour was fine for me

In the bio supermarket here I mentioned, the type I bought ( big bottle 4,25 litres, 143.71fl oz.. just looked) is Bio and deodorized, maybe very slight hint of coconut. There are smaller jars also available there, (some of them probably virgin bio if you look but no big jars, hence price will be higher)

i

Yup, it's spotlessly clean.  4.50Sfr for 450g. 

On Bvd Carl Vogt, just down the street from COOP is a natural foods store owned by a family.  They carry a really lovely virgin cold pressed coconut oil that runs 9CHF for a small 250ml jar.  I am sure they would be happy to help order a large tub for you if you asked. I always forget the name of the place but they are just next door to a Maxi Discount place.  If you take the 19 or 2 bus to St. Clotilde you will see it.  

Thanks for all of your help.  I'm debating over RBD vs expeller-pressed vs virgin.  Virgin is supposed to be all wonderful with its "natural goodness" and no "harsh" processing nor "damaging" heat applied; the problem is that I find a lack of solid scientific evidence that virgin is a truly superior product.  This isn't olive oil or another easily oxidized PUFA; it's all saturated and thus very heat-stable.  The best I can find is an informal test conducted in an academic setting where higher levels of antioxidants were found in the low-yield artisanal, "backyard" stuff.  Apparently quite a few people can't tolerate virgin oil and are forced to use RBD lest they spend six hours on the commode afterward.  :-/

I'm also not in love with the flavor of virgin oil.  It's like a mouth full of Coppertone which I'll happily tolerate when I'm biting someone's bronzed ass on the beach, otherwise I don't care for that flavor.   >=)

one more link to try : http://www.vita-shop.ch/13/kokosoel-v.c.o.-bio.html

Do you use the oil to fry or what do you do with it?

It can be used for almost anything, though the flavor of the virgin product might cause problems in some situations.  It goes solid under 25C which may or may not be helpful.  It's very heat-stable, much more so than any PUFA (corn, canola, soy, olive, etc), so it works well for frying.

A lot of people report that it works miracles on their skin and hair (I've never tried this).  I've heard of people shaving with it, too.

It gave me the idea to buy some for frying meat but I don't think I will notice slight differences in taste if I use it only for frying.

Do you drink it too?

Most of my consumption is from my morning protein shake.  I use 70ml daily.  Some people just take a few teaspoons like it's a daily vitamin.  For me it's a significant source of calories.

Richard,

In case this enlightens about the saturated coconut oil

Here is a reference to a study where they examined the effects of Medium Chain Triglyceride oil (present in the coconut oil) consumption, as part of a weight loss diet, on metabolic risk profile compared to olive oil.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2874191/?tool=pmcentrez

The data suggest that a distinction must be made when discussing the cardiovascular health effects of saturated fats as those of medium chain length do not seem to confer adverse health effects. This is of particular interest, especially in light of the effects of MCT oil consumption on energy balance and weight control

I kept seeing LDL-C referenced in the study but never LDL-P nor ApoB but I'll let that slide.  It's a good find and I enjoyed reading it.

There are a number of studies out there regarding MCT oil and it appears that it has a green light from a health standpoint.  To me, this is a miracle oil on par with virgin olive oil in terms of overall healthiness.

There are a few other studies which point to MCT having a pro-metabolic effect, meaning that it will actually speed up a person's metabolism.  Animal studies have shown similar results -- Decades ago, farmers found MCT to be worthless in animal feed because it took too long for their animals to reach market weight.  Corn oil, on the other hand...

There are many 'wonders' of MCTs, they could be used in what they call a ketogenic diet and be used in non tractable epiplepsy, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, etc.. MCTs are faster metabolised than LCTs as the fatty acids involved do not need to be transported into the mitochondria, they are then oxidised providing lots of energy, and can change via ketosis the glycolisis based to a ketone bodies metabolism

Still have the can?  What's the breakdown of carbs (glucides) vs protein vs fat?  There's a lot of coconut stuff out there that I'd love to consume but they add a boatload of sugar to so much of it!

remember you always need a bit of carbohydrates to keep your brain activity

here you have more on MCT diet

http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/keto_news_august07

Also, Marche de Vie on rue des Eaux Vives carries organic coconut oil. I paid chf19 (I think, it was a while ago) for a decent size jar (500g, maybe), but they also have a much larger container as well. 

Coming in late as I was alerted by Ivo's interesting posts and links.

You can buy pure (not sure if its "virgin"), odourless, tasteless Coconut Oil from the Asian Supermarket at the back of Lausanne Station on Rue de Simplon - can't remember how much, but I bought 2 x bottles, so can't have been too expensive.  It's imported from Thailand, so probably the real deal.

Asian women have been chucking it on their hair to keep it healthy and shiny, (but that probably is of no concern to Ivo!) chucking it on their skin, drinking it and cooking with it since time began.  

@Carolyn C - dead wrong, that's precisely how Ivo gets that brilliant shine !!!

Yes, indeed....I put a daily spoon on my hair LoL :-))))!

Hahahahahahaaaaa!! And we love him all the more for his brilliant shine - and his lovely smile as well, obviously.....:-) xxx

Ivo. TMI.  o.O

I recently read a book called Power Up Your Brain which discusses the importance of virgin coconut oil in our diets to enhance brain function and health. I was really happy to read this post as when I return to Geneva I plan to buy some and include it in my daily diet.

Here are some more studies about the importance of virgin coconut oil.

http://www.healthyfellow.com/208/coconut-oil-and-alzheimers-disease/

I buy coconut oil from www.bali-cosmetics.ch. There is nothing better for your hair and skin and I have tried too many products:-)

i know a asiatic shop at bonneville (france) which sell 45cl bottel for 1.50 or 2 euros, just in case.

I buy mine, and have for years along with other supplements, online at Kiki health.co.uk.

Cheap and fast delivery! 

There is also a great health food store in Oerlikon that sells it but it is half the size and twice the price 

There is a little Vietnamese shop/grocer that sells it in Ferney in rue de Versoix, I think I have seen approx 300 ml bottles;  Don't know the price but will check next time I pass by!