Lauric acid (C12H24O2) is a saturated fatty acid commonly found in coconut oil and palm kernel oil. It has a melting point of around 24°C (76°F), which means it is typically liquid at room temperature during warmer seasons, like summer.
One interesting property of lauric acid is its solubility. It is not soluble in water due to its long hydrocarbon chain, which makes it hydrophobic. Instead, it is considered to be only very slightly polar. This characteristic affects how it behaves in various cooking and storage conditions.
In a typical kitchen cabinet, lauric acid remains liquid on warm days but will solidify when temperatures drop below its melting point. This solidification process is why coconut oil often appears both solid and liquid, depending on the temperature.