Coconut, Desiccated

Cocos nucifera

Origin / Harvest:

Philippines / Year–Round
Sri Lanka / Year–Round

Description & History

Desiccated coconut is the shredded and dried white meat of fresh and mature coconuts. We offer desiccated coconut in three sizes: Fine (Macaroon), Medium, and Chips. All of our desiccated coconut products are unsweetened.

What we consider a fruit is actually the seed of the fruit of the coconut palm tree. Native to Malaysia, southern Asia, and tropical South America, coconuts were carried in prehistoric days to their now favorite home, the islands of the South Pacific Ocean. Today coconuts can be found in the West Indies, India, Florida, and other tropical coasts all over the world. Coconuts are a stable in tropical diets; the milk often replaces cow milk.

Uses

Fine desiccated coconut is most popularly used in macaroon cookies and as a coating for date rolls. Its small shred size is ideal for inclusion in ice cream, confections and chocolates. With its slightly larger shred size, medium desiccated coconut can be used in similar applications as well as in other baked goods and confections including cookies, sweet breads and rolls. Desiccated coconut chips are most often used in trail mixes or other products where a large coconut piece is desired. Desiccated coconut of any size can also be incorporated into savory recipes and curries.

Nutrition

Desiccated coconut is high in fat; however it is in the form of health–promoting medium–chain saturated fats. These medium–chain fats are easily absorbed by the body and preferentially used as an energy source. In fact, their burning actually increases the body's metabolic rate. In addition, desiccated coconut is an excellent source of manganese and copper and also a good source of selenium and zinc.