Why does coconut oil get hard?

Coconut oil gets hard when its surrounding temperature (especially in winter) has gone below its freezing point, at around 76 °F (24.4 °C). To keep your coconut oil from getting hard, you can place it near a constant heat source like a space heater or put it on a heat mat or coffee mug warmer etc.

If you don't do that, your melted coconut oil will harden again when exposed to the cool ambient temperature.

It's worth noting that the originally liquid coconut oil does not become hard instantly when the ambient temperature just started to fall below its freezing point.

For example, at room temperature (generally 70°F or 21.1 °C), it'll actually turn cloudy first and then slowly form some soft chunks like snow.

At this point, you can still easily scoop up some softened coconut oil for use on hair, oil pulling, baking, cooking, relieving constipation, losing weight etc. But when the ambient temperature continues to drop further, your coconut oil will harden eventually. You'll need to melt your hard solid coconut oil and make it soft before you can use it again.

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