Carrier Fat Comparison Guide
The carrier you choose affects more than just taste. It impacts extraction efficiency, shelf life, recipe compatibility, and even how quickly effects are felt. Use this guide to pick the right carrier for your next batch, then jump into the calculator to run the numbers.
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Side-by-Side Comparison
| Carrier | Flavor | Smoke Point | Infusion Temp | Infusion Time | Sat. Fat | Shelf Life | Extraction | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🧈Butter | Rich, buttery — adds flavor to baked goods | 350°F (177°C) | 160-190°F (71-88°C) | 2-3 hours | 63% | Room: Not safe Fridge: 2-3 weeks Frozen: 6 months | High saturated fat content makes it an excellent extraction medium | BrowniesCookiesToastPasta sauce |
| 🥥Coconut Oil | Mild coconut — mostly neutral when refined | 400°F (204°C) refined | 160-200°F (71-93°C) | 2-4 hours | 82% | Room: 2-3 months Fridge: 6+ months Frozen: 1+ year | Highest saturated fat of any plant oil — best overall extraction efficiency | GummiesCapsulesBaked goodsSmoothies |
| 🫒Olive Oil | Herbal, peppery — noticeable in dishes | 375°F (191°C) extra virgin | 160-180°F (71-82°C) | 2-3 hours | 14% | Room: Not recommended Fridge: 1-2 months Frozen: 6 months | Lower saturated fat means slightly less efficient extraction | Salad dressingsPastaBread dippingSavory dishes |
| 💧MCT Oil | Completely flavorless and odorless | 320°F (160°C) | 150-170°F (66-77°C) | 1-2 hours | 100% | Room: 6+ months Fridge: 1+ year Frozen: 2+ years | Medium-chain triglycerides absorb faster — quick onset | CapsulesSublingual dropsCoffeeSmoothies |
| 🍶Alcohol | Strong alcohol taste — can be masked with flavoring | N/A (evaporates at 173°F) | No heat (room temp) | 24-72 hours | N/A | Room: 1-2 years Fridge: 2+ years Frozen: N/A | Dissolves both fat-soluble and water-soluble compounds — most complete extraction | TincturesSublingual dropsCocktailsFlavor extracts |
| 🍯Glycerin | Sweet, syrupy — pleasant taste | N/A | 140-160°F (60-71°C) | 4-8 hours | N/A | Room: 1-2 years Fridge: 2+ years Frozen: N/A | Weakest extraction medium — compensate with longer soak time or more material | Sweet tincturesChildren-friendly (non-alcohol)TopicalsCandy making |
Butter
Rich, buttery — adds flavor to baked goods
High saturated fat content makes it an excellent extraction medium
Coconut Oil
Mild coconut — mostly neutral when refined
Highest saturated fat of any plant oil — best overall extraction efficiency
Olive Oil
Herbal, peppery — noticeable in dishes
Lower saturated fat means slightly less efficient extraction
MCT Oil
Completely flavorless and odorless
Medium-chain triglycerides absorb faster — quick onset
Alcohol
Strong alcohol taste — can be masked with flavoring
Dissolves both fat-soluble and water-soluble compounds — most complete extraction
Glycerin
Sweet, syrupy — pleasant taste
Weakest extraction medium — compensate with longer soak time or more material
Best Carrier For...
Best for Baking
🧈 Butter
Butter adds unbeatable richness to brownies, cookies, and pastries. Its familiar taste blends seamlessly into baked goods.
Use ButterBest Overall
🥥 Coconut Oil
With 82% saturated fat, coconut oil delivers top extraction efficiency and works in baked goods, gummies, capsules, and more.
Use Coconut OilBest for Tinctures
🍶 Alcohol
Alcohol extracts both fat-soluble and water-soluble compounds, yielding the most complete extraction of any carrier.
Use AlcoholMost Versatile
💧 MCT Oil
Flavorless, odorless, and fast-absorbing. MCT oil works in capsules, sublingual drops, coffee, smoothies, and virtually anything.
Use MCT OilWhy Saturated Fat Matters
Active compounds in plant material are lipophilic — they dissolve in fats, not water. The more saturated fat a carrier contains, the more binding sites are available for these compounds during infusion.
This is why coconut oil (82%) and MCT oil (100%) consistently outperform olive oil (14%) in extraction efficiency tests. Butter sits in between at 63% saturated fat.
Alcohol is a special case: it dissolves both fat-soluble and water-soluble compounds, making tinctures the most chemically complete extraction method — though the experience profile differs from fat-based carriers.
Glycerin is the weakest extraction medium. To compensate, use more source material or extend the infusion time significantly.
Relative Extraction Capacity
* Alcohol uses a different extraction mechanism (solvent-based); its bar represents overall extraction completeness, not saturated fat content.