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I’m not exaggerating.
The bane of my Passover existence has been pareve baking. I cook a lot more meat during the holiday than I do the rest of the year, which means a lot more pareve desserts. Which has, up until now, usually meant margarine made from disgusting ingredients such as cottonseed oil.
Last year, I caught wind of the possibility that extra virgin coconut oil, the darling of crunchy mamas everywhere, was Kosher for Passover. Alas, I didn’t catch wind of this possibility until the day before Passover when it was too late to call the OU hotline.
This year, I planned ahead and called and emailed the OU hotline. And what I learned will change your life. Trust me.
Spectrum unrefined organic coconut oil is kosher for passover when labeled OU. (No special Passover labeling.)
I know you won’t believe me. I don’t know why it’s not in their Passover guide. But friends, I have names. And an email. The person whom I spoke to at the OU hotline was named Rabbi Geiger, and he said I could quote him.
Here is the email I got from the Webbe Rebbe (also of the OU.)
From: Webbe Rebbe <kosherq@ou.org>
To: ’amy meltzer’ <xxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 12:07 PM
Subject: RE: extra virgin coconut oil?
Thank you for contacting the OU.
That is correct, Spectrum unrefined coconut oil is kosher for Passover.
Please do not hesitate to contact us again should you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
The Web(be) Rebbe
Orthodox Union Kashruth Division
From: amy meltzer [xxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 12:39 PM
To: Webbe Rebbe
Subject: Re: extra virgin coconut oil?
Will it be labeled OUP or does it not require the P?
thanks for your help in this-
I received this reply on Tuesday, March 20
Thank you for contacting the OU.
With a plain OU symbol.
Note: This information is valid for Passover 2012 only.
Please visit www.oupassover.org or consult our printed “Guide to Passover” for more a proper listing and other details.
Please do not hesitate to contact us again should you have any further questions.
Have a Kosher and happy Pesach.
Sincerely,
The Web(be) Rebbe
Orthodox Union Kashruth Division
For those of you who haven’t used Coconut oil, it’s a solid at room temperature and has a mild coconut flavor. While refined coconut oil is on everyone’s list of unhealthy fats, unrefined coconut oil is generally considered somewhere from benign to a miraculously healthy. (Here’s a fairly balanced NYTimes article on the topic.) I won’t take sides, I just know it’s better than hydrogenated cottonseed oil. I’ll be making Levana’s Passover Brownies this year with coconut oil. Yum.
posted March 22, 2012 at 5:26 pm
Bless you, my child!! This will definitely help in the Pesach prep this year.
posted March 22, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted March 22, 2012 at 5:40 pm
Thank you Amy, that’s awesome. Where does one find this miracle substance?
posted March 22, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Okay, I’ve never cooked with this but eyed it in the aisles at Whole Foods….and this might be what puts me over the edge toward buying! it’s expensive but I’m far mroe likely to splurge at pesach time….lol. Thanks for your research!!!!
posted March 22, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Doesn’t it rock?!? We love coconut oil. It is great for baking and such but not so good on matzah. I still need a good butter substitute for such since the Earth Balance we normally use is soy based and thus not KLP
posted March 22, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Thanks for the documentation!
posted March 22, 2012 at 7:05 pm
awesome! the last few years I have only made pareve desserts using safflower oil which is somewhat limiting… having a solid oil to use that isn’t grossness is AMAZING! thank you!
posted March 22, 2012 at 9:55 pm
I use coconut oil all the time. Now if you substitute xylitol for the sugar you’d have a fairly healthy dessert.
posted March 25, 2012 at 12:07 am
I got the ok for coconut oil last year along with palm oil, coconut flour and coconut milk with only guest gum added. Needless to say, last year was an awesome Pesah baked goods wise.
posted March 28, 2012 at 2:47 pm
I believe this picture is of the refined coconut oil:) But yes, this is amazing!
posted March 29, 2012 at 12:36 pm
so, my question is, can this be used to make a yummy parave toffee/caramel/chocolate-covered matza contoction? i love the one is make with butter & chocolate & nuts, but the parave kosher for pesach margarine is just gross. would this work?
posted March 29, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Unfortunately, Bad Cohen has a nut sensitivity so this is out. We usually just pair our Passover angel food cakes with fresh fruit and use lots of lemon or orange zests.
Pingback: The Kemach Torah 2012 Passover Guide « Kemach Torah
posted April 1, 2012 at 11:08 am
Thanks so much for this great information. Do you know where Spectrum coconut oil can be purchased? Thanks so much! Wendy
posted April 1, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Our whole foods has it-
posted April 1, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Great for your skin and cooking!
posted April 9, 2012 at 7:16 pm
Homeshuling,
Is it possible to post a scanned image of OU reply on coconut oii? It’s not because I don’t trust you (chas v’sholom), but Halachically speaking I should see their original email.
posted April 11, 2012 at 7:41 am
Lazar, I’m sorry I didn’t see this earlier and that i don’t have an email address to forward you the email. since i never printed the email i can’t scan it. I suggest you conctact the ou directly-
posted April 10, 2012 at 12:58 am
Thank you so much for telling me about this! Totally changed my life. I did all of our seder baking with it. Flourless chocolate cake, matzah crack, etc. etc. Not cheap – but NOTE! There is a $2 off coupon in the Whole Foods magazine this month! (Wouldn’t be KOAB without mentioning that, right…)
The coconut flavor is VERY mild, which is good, because I’m not a fan usually. It didn’t bother me at all!
Thanks again!!!!
posted April 11, 2012 at 7:41 am
I’m counting on you to find us all the best deals on this! your blog is awesome.
Pingback: Super Fudgy Brownies (Gluten-Free and Kosher for Passover) « Pragmatic Attic
posted March 10, 2013 at 5:21 pm
So, what’s the deal with unrefined coconut oil in 2013? Same story? Has someone called the OU and taken names? Thanks!