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