Activated charcoal is a fine powder from coconut shells, the most common forms of carbon are coal, coconut shell, wood, peat, and lignite. The charcoal we sell is made from coconut shells. No trees are damaged in the process, and the husks are not a food source. The charcoal undergoes a process called activation. This is achieved by firstly burning the shells in the absence of air and then placing the carbonized shells in a kiln full of steam at a temperature above 800 c for between 12-24 hours.