Save 30% with code SQUARE·or save 40% with Subscribe & save

Coconut-Derived MCT Oil (Why Ours Is Coconut, Not Palm)

Also known as: coconut MCT oil, coconut vs palm kernel MCT, fractionated coconut oil

Updated How we edit these guides
Coconut-Derived MCT Oil (Why Ours Is Coconut, Not Palm) appears in Full Spectrum, THC Free Broad Spectrum, AAFCO Approved Bacon Flavor.

What it is

MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, fats built from carbon chains about eight to ten atoms long. The two most common ones in commercial MCT oil are caprylic acid (C8) and capric acid (C10). Makers get them from coconut oil or from palm kernel oil, which is pressed from the seed inside the fruit of the oil palm. A supplier we read, Musim Mas, says commercial MCT oils are fractionated into set ratios such as 60% C8 to 40% C10, 70 to 30, or 80 to 20, whatever the source. So the label "MCT oil" alone does not tell you where it came from.

Why does that matter? Mostly because of what you want to know about your bottle. The same supplier writes that palm-based and coconut-based MCT oils perform alike, with no functional difference in digestibility or taste once C8 and C10 are isolated (page checked October 2026, musimmas.com/resources/blogs/what-is-mct-oil). It also says palm can be the more land-efficient crop per hectare, and that palm sourcing has long raised sustainability questions. We are not a lab and we will not tell you coconut MCT does something palm MCT cannot. Our reason is simpler. Our drops are hemp extract in organic coconut-derived MCT oil, and we would rather name one plant we can point to than a generic oil.

Why MCT instead of hemp seed or olive oil? CBD dissolves in fat, and MCT is a light, nearly flavorless carrier that stays liquid and does not feel heavy under the tongue. Longer-chain oils like olive are digested differently, per the same supplier. It is also a common carrier in the industry. What we do not know: the exact C8 to C10 split in our carrier. We have not published it, so we will not quote one. Ask for the batch COA at /coas or ask us about the carrier supplier. One more point. If you avoid coconut, read the label on any oil here. Ours is made with coconut.

Where it's in our line

FAQ

Is botanCBD's MCT oil made from coconut or palm?

Coconut. The carrier in our CBD oil drops is organic coconut-derived MCT oil. MCT can also be made from palm kernel oil, but that is not what we use.

What is the difference between coconut MCT and palm kernel MCT?

Both start as natural sources of C8 and C10. One supplier we read says coconut oil naturally has about double the C8 and C10 of palm kernel oil, but that finished MCT oils are standardized by ratio and perform alike once fractionated (checked October 2026). The real difference is where the plant comes from.

Is coconut MCT oil a tree nut allergen?

Not for U.S. labeling anymore. On January 6, 2025, the FDA removed coconut from its tree nut list in its allergen guidance. Coconut must still appear by name in an ingredient list. Allergies are individual, so if you react to coconut, skip our oils and ask your doctor.

What are C8 and C10 in MCT oil?

They are caprylic acid (eight carbons) and capric acid (ten carbons), the two medium-chain fats most MCT oils are made of. We do not publish the exact ratio in our carrier.

Why use MCT oil instead of hemp seed or olive oil for CBD drops?

MCT is light, nearly flavorless and stays liquid, so it carries the hemp extract without a heavy feel. Hemp seed and olive are fine oils with stronger tastes. It is our choice and a common one, not the only valid one.

Other ingredients

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. botanCBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting any new wellness product, especially if you take prescription medications.