Is Shredded Coconut the Same as Desiccated Coconut?

Many of us often think desiccated coconut is the same as shredded coconut. But what’s actually the difference between shredded coconut and desiccated coconut? To avoid confusion, let’s read the explanation here, so you can distinguish between those two coconut derivative products!

Is Shredded Coconut the Same as Desiccated Coconut?

Since each part of the coconut offers benefits for users, this tropical fruit has various kinds of derivatives. From liquid, oil, and cream to dried products, desiccated and shredded coconut are both dried coconut forms, made using coconut flesh or meat.

To distinguish between shredded coconut with desiccated coconut, you need to know the primary differentiators between them :

1. Textures

Desiccated coconut is a dried coconut with powdery consistency which makes its texture softer compared to other dried coconut products. Moreover, this one contains the least moisture.

On the other side, shredded coconut means dried and grated coconut flesh, with long strands or strips. While it’s also dried, shredded coconut still retains more moisture than the desiccated one.

2. Flavor

It’s common that shredded coconut comes in unsweetened and sweetened versions. Originally, the desiccated type still keeps the hint of coconut’s natural sweetness even though it has less moisture than the shredded version.

However, if you produce homemade desiccated coconut, you can add a diverse kind of additional ingredients to give them a kick of flavor. For example, you may use dates to add deeper natural sweetness.

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3. The Production

Desiccate indicates the drying process for a concentrated ingredient or material. On the other hand, shred means the way people chop or cut the material into shredded shapes. To make both shredded and desiccated coconut, you need nothing less than fresh and mature coconut as the ingredient. As for utensils, you can use a knife, cleaver or small hammer, bowl or container, spoons, oven, or dehydrator.

The first thing you need to do is to crack open the coconut and separate the white meat from the coconut husk. Then, chopping the meat into smaller chunks will help you to do the next step.

a. Desiccated Coconut Production

In general, people make desiccated coconut by grating or grinding fresh mature coconut flesh using proper utensils. Remember, you need to get fine grates, so using a food processor or blender with high speed would be a better help. Once you get the appropriate consistency or texture if you will, the next step is to dry out the moisture.

b. Shredded Coconut Production

You may also use fresh ripe coconut meat and proceed with the drying as well to make homemade shredded coconut. Yet, if you don’t have a blender or food processor, you can make use of a mandolin or cheese grater. If you want to put in flavor or sweeten them, you can add them before the drying process.

c. Drying Out Process

Be careful if you use an oven to dry out the moisture. Since you have to pay extra attention to prevent them from being roasted or burnt.

For desiccated coconut, you can use an oven or a dehydrator with certain timing and temperature. For an oven, the ideal temperature is 60ºC/140ºF, baking time ranges from 40 minutes to 1 hour. With a dehydrator, you need to set it at 40ºC/105ºF and wait for the process for around 4 to 6 hours.

Meanwhile, it requires less baking or drying out time to produce shredded coconut. Usually you need to set it at 177ºC/350ºF temperature, dry them out for around 6 to 8 minutes.

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4. Consumption

Mostly, shredded coconut offers you an alternative for garnish and decoration for various kinds of dishes and beverages. There is no particular difference in terms of desiccated coconut and shredded consumption.

The shredded and desiccated coconut makes a great pairing and adds textures to beverages like smoothies, and desserts such as ice cream and yogurt. Both can bring baked goods such as bread, cookies, macaroons, and pies. You can also use it to coat chicken, meat, or fish before baking or frying them to enhance their flavor and add extra textures.

In addition, they also can give extra nutty and savory flavors to various main dishes. They are also popular ingredients for Southeast Asian and Indian curries and soups. You can also try to add them to stir-fried or sauteed cuisines!

Where Can I Find Desiccated Coconut Supplier?

FAQ

Why is it called desiccated coconut?

Desiccated means the process of removing and drying out all the moisture from an ingredient. The particular characteristic of desiccated coconut is not merely the texture which is fine grates, and almost like powder.

This desiccated coconut product also contains much less moisture compared to the other versions.

Is desiccated coconut the same as shredded?

Actually, no. Even though people often use the two words mentioned interchangeably, there is a slight difference between the two.

Is desiccated coconut and coconut flake the same?

The two have noticeable differences in terms of textures. As explained, desiccated coconut typically refers to the fine texture of grated and ground-dried coconut flesh. Although coconut flakes are also dried, they have a more flaky texture which usually in larger chunks.

Can I use desiccated coconut to substitute for shredded coconut?

Commonly, people use shredded coconut to decorate dishes while plating. Meanwhile, the desiccated coconut majorly serves for baking purposes.
You may transform shredded coconut to a desiccated version, or soften the desiccated to resemble shredded coconut. Thus, the usage of desiccated coconut to substitute shredded versions is possible.

Can you make desiccated coconut from shredded coconut?

Definitely, yes. You can grind shredded coconut to get the powdery consistency and bake it in the oven or food dehydrator to dry them better.