Short answer: Monoi Tiki Tahiti oil is best used within 12 months of opening, the period shown by the open-jar symbol on the label. Keep the cap closed and store the bottle away from direct heat. Below 68°F (20°C) it turns solid, which is normal: warm the bottle in your hands or in warm water and it becomes a golden liquid again.
How long does monoi oil last?
The open-jar symbol on the Monoi Tiki Tahiti label reads 12 months, which means the oil is meant to be used within 12 months after you first open the bottle. If your bottle also shows a printed date, go by that date for an unopened bottle. Writing the month you opened it on the bottom of the bottle makes it easy to keep track.
How to store monoi oil
- Keep the cap closed between uses.
- Store the bottle away from direct heat.
- Expect it to set in a cool room. That does not harm the oil.
Why monoi turns solid, and how to melt it
Monoi is about 99% refined coconut oil in which tiare flowers were steeped, so it behaves like coconut oil. The label says monoi hardens below 68°F (20°C). The Technical Data page and the Monoi de Tahiti decree give a melting point of 24 to 26°C (75 to 79°F), the temperature at which pure monoi is fully liquid. Between those two temperatures the oil can look cloudy or streaky as it starts to set.
To melt it, hold the bottle in your hands for a minute or stand it in a bowl of warm water. Do not use a microwave. Once it is liquid again, the oil is unchanged.
What about the flower in the bottle?
Every bottle of Monoi Tiki Tahiti oil holds a dried tiare flower. It is the maker's trademark, a sign of genuine Tiki monoi, and it stays in the bottle while you use the oil.
Quick FAQ
Is cloudy monoi bad? No. Cloudiness is the oil starting to set as it cools. Warm it and it clears.
How long does an unopened bottle keep? Go by any date printed on the bottle. After opening, use it within 12 months.
More facts about our monoi, from the label and the appellation rules, are on the Monoi Facts page. New to monoi? Start with What Is Monoi Oil? or browse all Monoi Tiki Tahiti oils.