Most coconut oils were stored in plastic container, very few were in glass. But now, you can see the rising demand of glass-stored coconut oil. Why? Did you notice that when you consume coconut oil straight from the jar, it “bites” your throat?
What does that tell you, actually?
It means, coconut oil is slightly acidic. I give it a pH 5 based on my experience. (Note: You can’t test the pH of oil with common pH indicator.)
Coconut oil comprises triglycerides. Each triglyceride contains a glycerol holding three molecules of fatty acids together.
If all fatty acids are strongly bonded to their respective glycerols, then coconut oil will not “bite”.
But nature renders coconut oil as such – a small amount of fatty acids will go “scot-free” even with a low-temperature mechanical extraction method (for virgin coconut oil).
The more free fatty acids floating around the oil, the more acidic the oil. More acidic means it’s more corrosive.
That said, a pH 5, from my standpoint, translates to coconut oil not so suitable for storing in plastic container, even if you store it in the good quality PET or HDPE.
Coconut Oil Smelling of Plastic
I’ve come across some users complaining their coconut oil reeking of plastic smell. That’s the result of coconut oil “scratching” some chemicals off the plastic container.
Leaching of plastic into coconut oil probably happens during shipping or handling where the delivery company keeps the oils in a stuffy and hot environment for very long hours. Chemical reaction usually takes place when things get hot.
That explains why I’ve switched from a plastic-stored coconut oil to one that uses glass container to hold it. I eat coconut oil daily for health benefits. That’s why I don’t want to compromise on my health. It’s kind of disturbing to think that you’re ingesting something that can potentially harm your health.
Not only that, I use coconut oil for acne and skin care too. Imagine putting it on your skin every single day for skin care or sometimes for acne treatment, it probably will make your skin condition worse if some plastic has already leached into the oil.
So, I’m willing to pay a few bucks more for gaining peace of mind. And I believe that many people are thinking likewise. Which leads to the growing demand for glass-stored coconut oil. It’s definitely a lot safer for our health and skin.
Advantage and Disadvantage of Glass over Plastic Container
Another huge advantage in keeping coconut oil in glass container is that you can be sure you’re getting the most out of it since no bad stuff is within the oil to negate its benefits on health and skin.
The only disadvantage, I guess, is that you have to be extremely cautious in handling the glass container. Otherwise, it will become super messy when coconut oil spills and splashes everywhere when the glass container hits the ground and breaks (I experienced that “disaster” once that makes me even more careful now).
Of course, you probably don’t mind having coconut oil stored in plastic container at all since all along your coconut oil tastes and smells good. And it’s always easier to handle plastic than glass.
The choice is yours. But less plastic used means less risk for our health and skin. And it’s more eco-friendly too. That’s my take.
