A cake that calls for sweetened coconut will be very different in both texture and flavor if made with unsweetened coconut. Dried, shredded coconut is often added to baked goods, candies, and other sweet treats to give them the unique flavor of coconut. If you buy flaked coconut in cans, it will typically last unopened for up to 18 months and up to six months when stored in plastic bags. I’ve never worked with this stuff, so I’m not very sure of how it acts. I then spent another 5 minutes using a spoon to press as much liquid out of the coconut as a I could. How to Freeze Packages of Shredded Coconut, How to Make a White Box Cake Into a Coconut Cake. There's not a lot of foods out there that can be used for both beauty and cooking purposes, with such a long list of benefits to boot. Toasted coconut is definitely one of life’s beautiful things – the smell and taste is divine. Using the small grain-like shreds to decorate the meringue seemed odd to me. If you buy flaked coconut in cans, it will typically last unopened for up to 18 months and up to six months when stored in plastic bags. Coconut-White Chocolate Cheesecake. SF Gate: What Are the Health Benefits of Desiccated Coconut? Then, it is dried in hot air and used for baking and confectionery purposes. Long story short, I’m making a chocolate cupcakes with a marshmallow-buttercream icing for a birthday cake coming up. Shredded has thin strips or shreds; desiccated is fine and grounded, almost like a snowfall. Coconut flakes. Coconut Onion Rings. The biggest difference between shredded and desiccated coconut is the shape. to answer your first question, i think they can be used pretty synonymously. There isn't any real nutritional difference between shredded coconut and flaked coconut -- … The most commonly found in grocery stores in my area and in most of the US is sweetened shredded coconut. Sweetened Coconut Flakes Shredded, Coconut Flakes Lightly Sweetened in 14 ounce bags (Pack of 2) by Fiesta Tropicale 4.6 out of 5 stars 689 $13.99 $ 13 . This form of coconut is most commonly used for cakes and cookies or can be reconstituted and used in curry recipes. Flaked, shredded or toasted, these sweet coconut recipes are pure paradise. Health Benefits of Dehydrated, Shredded Coconut. As many other types of tropical … Get it as soon as Mon, Dec 14. But I feel flaked will also have a wonderful presentation if it is toasted as well. Coconut, shredded or flakes are made of coconut meat which has been shredded or flaked then dried (desiccated). I hope this helps! Due to the size of these flakes, they are lovely when used to decorate cakes and pies. This is also usually drier than shredded coconut. Use them in granola, trail mixes, or just to munch on. The only difference between shred and flake is just size. In the global marketplace, desiccated coconut goes by several names, coconut flakes, shreds, threads, or chips. In the recipe, it calls for “sweetened, flaked coconut” to add into the cake batter, along with coconut extract (but I am allowed to sub for vanilla). By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies.Learn More. Substitute For Coconut Shredded or Flakes Flaked coconut pieces are in the shape of—you guessed it—flakes. The texture is also an important consideration, as dessicated coconut swells slightly when it is exposed to moisture, which means that shreds and flakes of coconut can grow in the batter for cakes, brownies, and other baked goods, while the powdered version tends to remain relatively small. If you thought coconut was always prepared the same way, think again. The nutrition facts for 1 cup (80 grams) of fresh, shredded coconut meat are ():Calories: 283 Protein: 3 … Shredded coconut Are ‘grated’ bits of coconut, usually in long thin strips/strands. It also comes in flaked or shredded forms. All of the unsweetened shredded coconut I encountered were small grains instead of the long threads of sweetened shredded coconut you normally find. What Type of Coconut Do I Use in My Recipe? Coconut has become one of the ultimate trendy foods, but don't let the word "trend" mislead you. Just watch a cooking show with a blindfolded taste test, and coconut is easily one of the first flavors detected. Desiccated coconut refers to a number of different coconut products, but the common thread is that the coconut meat that has been shredded or flaked and then oven dried to remove moisture. Sweetened coconut is generally used in sweet recipes, like cakes and cookies, while unsweetened coconut is generally used in savory recipes, like curries and granola. Coconut flakes, shaved coconut, desiccated coconut and shredded coconut are all forms of dried coconut … So my understanding of 'sweetened flaked coconut' is that the pieces are slightly larger than shredded coconut. It can also be sprinkled on smoothies, cereal, yogurt, oatmeal, and ice cream, among other treats. I blended it for 3 minutes in my Nutri Ninja. Coconut meat is high in fat and calories while moderate in carbs and protein. Coconut Flakes are packed full of flavor and make a healthy snack. Is it overpowering if you add too much or should I just substitute vanilla instead?? • Flaked coconut: Flaked coconut is made up of larger, coarser pieces than the shredded kind. What does that add to the cake that isn’t “just flakes”? It’s usually available both sweetened and unsweetened. They are then dried out, but still, retain more moisture than desiccated coconut. What will coconut milk add that whole doesn’t? People seem to either love the taste of coconut or hate it. • Shredded coconut: Made up of thin strands of coconut, shredded coconut looks a little like grated cheddar cheese. Ambra For a cup of sweetened coconut, you would use 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) of water and 4 teaspoons of sugar. They're unsweetened and sulfur free. It also says I’m allowed to use coconut milk or refrigerated, whole milk. Coconut flakes really famous for its high fiber content. Desiccated coconut is also boiled coconut flesh, but is more finely ground than shredded coconut. Her work has appeared in USA Today, Vital Proteins, Healthline, Diply, and more. 99 ($0.50/Ounce) Taste Essence: How to Make Desiccated Coconut, Healthline: Top 10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Coconut Oil, Luxy Hair: 7 Ways to Use Coconut Oil in Your Beauty Routine, Healthline: 8 Science-Based Health Benefits of Coconut Water, DrJockers.com: 10 Reasons to Bake with Coconut Flour, The Spruce Eats: Coconut Selection and Storage. My granola calls for ¾ cup of sweetened coconut, so this description uses that serving size. Shaved pieces of coconut look like thin strands or strips. *Nutrition information shown on this page is for unsweetened coconut. Buy flaked coconut here. Coconut extract: how strong is it? Friends have suggested over and over that I submit this creation to a magazine because it’s so good. Unlike shredded or desiccated, flaked coconut is much larger. 99 ($0.75/Ounce) 10% off promotion available. If you're not sure which will work best for your intended purpose, then you've come to the right place. Is there a different taste? Taste of Home: Help! It's not going anywhere, especially when it has become such a mainstay in our lives. Shredded coconut usually retains more moisture than coconut flour and here’s their nutritional profile: COCONUT FLOUR: Cals 416, Fat 14.99g, Carbs 58.82g, Prot 15.55g UNSWEETENED COCONUT FLAKES: Calories 100, Fat 10 g, Carbs 4g, Protein 1g. It's truly one of a kind. The shredded coconut ended up being one big clump of coconut which I of course strained in a mesh strainer. Shredded coconut also contains 33 grams of fat and 40 grams of sugar per 1-cup serving, which significantly decreases the nutritional value of the food. These large pieces pack a lot of flavor and can be used in a cake or in other delicious types of dessert. Should I put in flaked coconut in the cupcakes or avoid it all together? Coconut milk vs. whole milk, whats the difference? Coconut is so much more than just a famous line in the song "Put the Lime in the Coconut." Unsweetened coconut is simply dried coconut and it tends to be a bit drier than its sweetened counterpart, as well as milder in flavor. It’s so easy that even if you have access to coconut flakes and shredded coconut / coconut shreds, you might just want to do this for a fun project. Thanks for the question Tejinder! However you choose to incorporate these newfound flakes of sweet deliciousness into your life, you’ll be extremely happy that you did. A Web Experience brought to you by LEAFtv, The biggest difference between shredded and desiccated coconut, Blue Lily Organics: Coconut Flakes Vs Shredded Coconut, Food Bloggers of Canada: Your Complete Guide To Using Coconut In Your Cooking. It comes in many forms, with everything from trendy coconut oil to coconut-based flour. I feel toasted shredded would give a great presentation and another texture. 1 / 50. Shredded has thin strips or shreds; desiccated is fine and grounded, almost like a snowfall. High Fiber. So... sometimes I'm a little fancy, and regular fries just won't do. There is a lot of confusion about coconut flakes vs. desiccated vs. coconut flour, but don’t worry here is the low down! Plus, my boys LOVE fresh coconut so much — I know they would be happy for any excuse to buy some. Use this stuff if you have a … $5.99 $ 5. Coconut … However that can give a different texture/mouth feel to the food. I used 4 cups of water and two cups of shredded coconut. —Jamie Harris, Danville, Illinois. Sarah is a multi-platform writer and editor. They make a wonderful addition to baked goods such as muffins, cakes, bread, and granola bars. Bake those exotic flavors into a cake, add coconut milk to traditional Thai cuisine, or even drink coconut water as a healthy alternative to replenishing electrolytes. Native to the tropics, coconut is used to make several nutritious foods and beverages, from electrolyte-rich coconut water to zinc-rich coconut meat. My questions are more generalized on flavor as I have never worked with coconut. Whichever way you slice, dice, flake, or shred it, coconut is a useful food to have around the house. When she's not writing, she's trying to keep up with her border collie, Emmy. How to Use Homemade Coconut Shreds and Flakes Shredded vs. desiccated coconut. Coconut is also an extremely welcome flavor element in any curry or Thai-flavored dish, so go ahead and sprinkle this over a chickpea curry, a bowl of Thai peanut sweet potato soup, or Thai chicken coconut soup. Normally, coconut flakes are cut into much larger pieces than shredded and desiccated coconut. This fruit can also be used in sweet and savory dishes. I’m also supposed to the coconut flakes it to top the cupcakes with. You can prepare shredded coconut by using a grater with big holes and then letting the pieces dry. It's a tropical fruit with a unique flavor unlike anything else. The moisture content is another big one, as shredded coconut retains more moisture than desiccated coconut. To make shredded coconut, the coconut meat (the inner fleshy white part of the coconut) is boiled, grated into short, thin strips, and dried. Toast these flakes or use them as-is in all sorts of recipes— like this beautiful coconut cake —for added flavor and texture. Wildly Organic Coconut Flakes - Unsweetened Coconut Flakes - Shredded Coconut Unsweetened - Coconut Flakes Unsweetened Organic - Unsweetened Shredded Coconut - Dessicated Coconut Unsweetened - 8 Oz. Thank you! We’ve gone over coconut flour before, so I’ll keep it brief. As in 2, or 4, or a dozen…. The coconut is shaved into long, wide flakes. Coconut adds flavor to a variety of foods such as pies, cookies, soups and shrimp dishes, and it supplies key vitamins and minerals. Desiccated coconut is made by removing most of the moisture, leaving only about 3 percent. For the best texture, make sure not to overmix the batter. Should I use flaked or shredded or possibly both? Dr. Axe: Coconut Flour Nutrition, Benefits & How to Use It! The biggest difference between shredded and desiccated coconut is the shape. 4.3 out of 5 stars 34. Desiccated coconut is finely ground coconut, rather than bigger strips. Cookies help us deliver our Services. A lot of recipes require sweetened coconut flakes which are not easily available in India. Choosing the right type of coconut can help you get the most possible health benefits. For home-sweetened coconut, the ratios are 1 tablespoon of water to 1 teaspoon of sugar for every ¼ cup of unsweetened coconut. The reason why I went with flakes last time was because the shredded coconut was for the meringue frosting. Coconut Flour. If you are a coconut lover, read on to see if it is okay to be enjoying shredded coconut on a regular basis. , then you 've come to the coconut flakes really famous for its fiber! Up of thin strands or strips ) of water and 4 teaspoons sugar... Being one big clump of coconut, shredded or flaked then dried out, but do n't the... Than bigger strips over coconut flour Nutrition, Benefits & how to Freeze of. % off promotion available but still, retain more moisture than desiccated coconut. I feel flaked will also a... 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