How to Make Desiccated Coconut? Understand the Process!

If you favor shredded or desiccated coconuts, having them stocked in your house is a must! While some may find it easy to acquire these coconut derivative products, others may face difficulty in obtaining them. However, you can make them yourself. If you want to know how to make desiccated coconut, discover the method here!

Introduction To Desiccated Coconut

Many people often think desiccated coconut is the same as shredded coconut. However, the two are actually different from each other.

Shredded coconut appears much like grated cheese, with thin strings of coconut. It still contains moisture from the fresh coconut flesh, but it was a little dried. Usually, shredded coconut is available in sweetened and unsweetened versions.

On the other hand, desiccated coconut has a finer texture compared to shredded coconut. This version contains much less moisture than fresh coconut flesh or shredded coconut. Moreover, desiccated coconut retains the hint of coconut’s natural sweetness through its general factors and is not sweetened.

The Difference Of Shredded Coconut vs Desiccated Coconut

Both of them are available in sweetened and unsweetened versions. The first thing you can do to distinguish desiccated from shredded coconut is to identify them by their textures. If you find them looking more powder-like, then you have the desiccated version.

Related Article: Different of Desiccated Coconut Type, High-Fat vs Low Fat

How To Make Desiccated Coconut

There are two ways to produce desiccated coconut that you can choose according to what is available in your hands. Both ways are quite easy to do. Below are the explanations.

A. Using Shredded Coconut Flesh

By using shredded coconut, you can save more time while obtaining the texture and dry version of desiccated coconut. Take note of the ingredients and processes you need to follow.

Ingredients

Shredded coconut (the quantity depends on your need), food processor, baking sheets and tray, oven, or food dehydrator.

Steps

1. Grind the shredded coconut in a food processor until it reaches a fine, powder-like texture.
2. Once ground, thinly spread the coconut on a baking sheet or tray.
3. Bake the coconut for around 6 to 10 minutes in the oven or in a dehydrator at the lowest temperature, approximately 40℃ or 104 ℉.”

B. Using Fresh Coconut Flesh

After knowing what desiccated coconut is, you might be curious whether you can make it using fresh coconut. And yes, you can actually make it using fresh coconut flesh. Here’s what you need to do :

Ingredients

• One fresh ripe coconut (ensure the coconut is ripe enough since you will use the flesh only)
• A bowl and a glass of water
• Spoon
• Knife and meat mallet or cleaver
• Grater, food processor, or coffee grinder
• Oven or food dehydrator
• Airtight jar

Steps

1. First, crack wide open the coconut by breaking it in half from its top middle part. You can make your attempt by running the knife through the weakest indentation point on its top.
2. Create a hole or triangle shape that is sufficient to pour out the coconut water into a glass or water can. Then, set it aside.
3. Once you have removed the water, break the coconut into two using a meat mallet or cleaver.
4. Separate the coconut flesh (white in color) from the husk. Tips for this step : bake it in the oven at a temperature of 80℃ / 175℉ for 10 or 15 minutes. Afterward, you can scrape the flesh using a spoon easier.
5. If there are some remaining soft husks, you can use a vegetable peeler to get rid of them and get the coconut flesh. Then wash the flesh thoroughly.
6. Afterward, chop the flesh into smaller chunks. This will make it easier to achieve a fine texture for desiccated coconut.
7. Grate the coconut flesh chunks using the smallest grater mode, or you can use the food processor to get the job done. The texture that you need is tiny, like fine crumbs. The finer the texture, the less time you’ll need to bake them.
8. Then the next process is drying the coconut. If you use the oven, preheat the oven to 60ºC/140ºF. Meanwhile, spread the ground coconut flesh on a baking tray or baking sheet in an even layer. Bake it for about 40 minutes up to 1 hour. Don’t forget to give it a little shake to roast them evenly every once in a while.
9. If you are using the dehydrator, this might take more time, around 4 up to 6 hours at 40ºC/105ºF.
10. When it’s done, let them cool off. Later, put the desiccated coconut in an airtight jar and close the lid tightly.

Related Article: How Long Do Coconuts Last? How to Tell If Coconut Is Bad?

How to Use Desiccated Coconut for Your Cookings?

The versatility of coconut products is limitless. Meanwhile, shredded and desiccated coconut versions are known as gluten and vegan-friendly. They are also suitable for keto-diet alternatives.

In terms of cooking, you actually can explore its usage. You may want to put the desiccated coconut to enhance dishes’ textures, as a garnish, or as complimentary for a dish.

How to Make Desiccated Coconut Using Oven Without Getting Them Toasted?

Drying the coconut flesh using an oven can be tricky at times. However, there are some tips you can try to prevent it from getting toasted or burnt. Try to place the tray on the low or lower-middle level, then you can place the coconut tray on the upper shelf in another pan or tray. The extra layer of pan might reduce the overheating from the oven.

FAQ

Can I make my own desiccated coconut?

Certainly, you can make your own desiccated coconut. The ingredients and tools are usually available in your kitchen, so making desiccated coconut is not that difficult.

Can you make desiccated coconut out of shredded coconut?

There is a slight difference between shredded coconut vs desiccated coconut in terms of texture and moisture contained. Basically, desiccated coconut has finer grains compared to shredded versions. Besides, the shredded still keeps the natural moisture while the desiccated type is bound to be dry.
For a shortcut, you can make use of shredded coconut to produce desiccated coconut. The steps are easy! All you need to do is to grind the shredded coconut, utilizing the coffee grinder or food processor to get finer grains. Afterward, just bake it to let the left-out moisture dry out.

What is the process of making desiccated coconut?

Generally speaking, the process of making desiccated coconut involves three major key steps. The first is the sterilization of fresh coconut flesh, followed by shredding or grating them into subtle pieces. The last one is about dehydrating them from the moisture.

What is desiccated coconut made from?

As has been noted in the steps of how to make desiccated coconut from scratch above, you can use fresh coconut flesh or shredded coconut flesh. Both types of main ingredients are the key ingredients as described by its name.