As described and shipped fast!

I'm done trying other brands and will stick to Nutiva from now on.

I'd only used coconut oil externally prior to the corona-virus but recently learned how to take it if you don't like the taste or texture - just use a teaspoon and simply swallow it like you would a pill instead of trying to eat it.

One note about coconut oil - I accidentally eliminated some decades old plantar warts on the bottom of my right foot when I broke it a couple of years back by using coconut oil to wash that foot during the time I wasn't able to get in the shower. I didn't even know it was the coconut oil as I've only recently discovered how it happened which is via its high lauric acid content. Lauric acid "disassembles" the "lipid coating" that protects some viruses, bacteria etc from your immune system during .

If you've ever used coconut oil for one thing and inadvertently fixed some other problems, google "lauric acid" and/or "monolaurin". Coconut oil's high content of lauric acid makes it readily absorbable via external application but ingesting it as well sort of kicks it into overdrive. AND, as I said, if you're like me and it just gags you, all you have to do is swallow it in smaller amounts like you would a pill - quick, slick and no gagging!

I can't judge the taste or scent because I don't like coconut in any way shape or form.

As a moisturizer, it depends on the person. Some get a moisturizing effect and some don't. I'm about half and half. sometimes I do and sometime I don't, even using the exact same coconut oil so there must be some state of the skin that sometimes it moisturizes and sometimes it doesn't. Possibly due to varied states of hydration and dehydration or diet or something, I don't know. I know when I'm getting dehydrated because I get "chicken neck" which also seems to be when coconut oil does not work as a moisturizer.

UPDATE: COMPARATIVELY INEFFECTIVE, TOPICALLY - I can only assume that it is equally inferior to unrefined oil when taken internally. It tastes better, though salty, but if you want the medicinal goodies, that's hardly relevant. "Ineffective" may be too strong a word as unrefined coconut oil is SO effective but "disappointed" is NOT too strong a word.

UPDATE 2: Had to add back a couple of stars for the tastelessness which makes it EXCELLENT for flavored dark chocolate which is super simple - 1 part honey, 2 parts coconut oil, 4 parts cocoa powder. I add a splash of vanilla and sea salt whether I'm adding peanut butter, peppermint oil or cayenne. I microwave the coconut oil for a few seconds - just until it's pourable - then mix, pour onto a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper, sprinkle the sea salt all over the top and pop in in the freezer for half an hour. Then break it up and store it in a jar in the fridge. It's sort of like chocolate "bark". Also, before you stick it in the freezer, while it's still pourable, you can pour a little over ice cream, drizzle it on the marshmallows in your cocoa or dip graham crackers in it! AWESOME! Plus, unlike milk chocolate, it only takes a little bit to calm the chocolate jones whereas milk chocolate just makes you want more. And more and more. Yuck! I can't even eat milk chocolate anymore!

The bucket was so well sealed that it didn't leak out during shipment in hot weather, so the packaging gets 5 stars. But the coconut oil has a slight chemical solvent aftertaste that I don't like at all. It should be filtered better or manufactured cleaner, so 3 stars for that. Averages out to a 4 star rating. I probably will not buy this brand again even though the packaging was awesome.

This is a high quality coconut oil that I have purchased many times. I prefer refined as it does not taste of coconut.

i really love this product great for the price