I was gifted with a jar of coconut oil...

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But, I don't know what to do with it. When I say 'oil', it's actually a white solid. I can't detect any kind of smell or scent. What do you do with it? Is it for baking sweet items like cookies or biscuits, or what?

[tenbusybees]

I use it a lot like I would butter....fry/saute, pie crust, biscuits, etc.

Melt it and use it in place of oil in baked goods and granola.

Pop popcorn with it.

I also brush my teeth with it and tooth powder.

It's also great for chapped lips.

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I use it for frying, for baking, for skin softener. Great for soap making, if you have a goodly amount of it. And it doesn't last as long as honey, but it does last a long, long time.

And as TenBusyBees said, it's GREAT for popping popcorn! Only thing better for popping corn is bacon grease.

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Update...(shhhh....please don't tell my friends  ) I tried it...and I don't like it.  

I also did a lot of reading about it trying to find out the origin and chemical components.

(Takes a lot of reading to get past those who have an axe to grind, those who want to ascribe it with magical properties, or have a product to sell.)

Turns out, yes, it is high in the good fats that affect our cholesterol levels, but it is also the highest in the fats that have a detrimental effect on our cholesterol levels. Eeeek! No thank you.

I know I won't change anyone else's mind about using this stuff, but it's not for me.

Thanks very much for your answers, though. I hope it is really good for those of you who use it. (:

[Deleted]

Sounds like you have refined coconut oil if it has not scent. I use virgin unrefined, organic coconut oil and I love it. With that said, I think there are so many other good oils available that you can pick and chose what is right for you.