Desiccated coconut or dry-grated coconut is a versatile food ingredient made from coconut meat grated, dried, and ground into small pieces. This coconut product has a small and fine particle size. In recent years, the demand for low-fat desiccated coconut has increased along with public awareness of a healthy lifestyle.
What is Low-Fat Desiccated Coconut?
Low-fat desiccated coconut is a dried grated coconut product made by reducing its natural fat content. This process is usually carried out by extraction or special processing to remove most of the saturated fat. In addition to reducing the fat content, this dehydration process prolongs the shelf life of coconut meat compared to fresh coconut sugar, which has been processed without being dried. Although the fat content is lower, low-fat desiccated coconut maintains the distinctive coconut flavor and texture of each flake. The coconut milk content in Desiccated Coconut is also still there even though the water content in the grated coconut meat has been dehydrated.
Benefits of Low-Fat Desiccated Coconut
Coconut products that at first glance look like coconut flakes or coconut flour have several benefits from household to industrial perspectives. Some healthy food manufacturers use low-fat desiccated coconut as a raw material for their products. This is because desiccated coconut has several good nutritional contents when combined with other natural food ingredients. Here are the contents of this dried grated coconut:
- High Fiber Content: Desiccated coconut is rich in fiber which is good for digestion and helps maintain intestinal health.
- Source of Vegetable Protein: Although its protein content is not as high as nuts, desiccated coconut is still a good source of vegetable protein.
- Minerals and Vitamins: Desiccated coconut contains various important minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, and iron, as well as several B-complex vitamins.
- Gluten-Free: Desiccated coconut is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for people with gluten intolerance.
What Foods Can Be Made with it?
Desiccated coconut can be used as a raw material or complementary ingredient for various types of food. Some manufacturers use desiccated coconut as a raw material for making coconut biscuits, muffins, and brownies. In addition, grated dried coconut can also be mixed into coconut bread or granola to get a crunchy coconut texture on the bread made. Dried grated coconut can also be used in beverage products such as ice cream, pudding, and yogurt.
Conclusion
Low-fat desiccated coconut is a versatile food ingredient that can be used to make various types of healthy and delicious foods. With good nutritional content and a distinctive taste, low-fat desiccated coconut is the right choice for those who want to live a healthy lifestyle. You can buy a low-fat desiccated coconut at the nearest supermarket, make sure to check the accompanying product label again to get the best quality product.