Coconut oil and coconut kernel are used extensively in all coconut producing countries. Coconut oil which is a liquid in tropical countries, changes to solid fat in temperate climates.
Coconut oil is made up of chains of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen called fatty acids.
Most of the fatty acids found in coconut oil are saturated. The fatty acids in combination with glycerol are present as triglycerides. Coconut oil also contains a minor proportion of diglycerides. Compared to other fats and oils coconut oil has the highest content of glycerol. Glycerol is a carbohydrate similar to a simple sugar.