Desiccated coconut

Coconuts are of great nutrition importance and, in some regions of the word, they are the main food item for the inhabitants. A ripe coconut weights from 2 kg to 4 kg, is between 20 and 35 cm long with diameter from 15 to 20 cm. Its external soft cover is 5 to 10 cm thick and made of tightly intertwined fibre called 'kojra'. Ripe coconut kernel contains about 50% water, 25-35% fat, 4% protein and 8% of sugar. It is very nutritious not only due to the fact that it contains a large amount of calories, but also a unique quality of protein contained in it. Namely protein present in the coconut is able to replace animal protein in our diet and therefore coconut is a particularly important food ingredient in vegetarian diet. Desiccated coconut is widely used in bakery and confectionery (cakes called ‘kokosanki’, sweets and coconut chocolate). In countries where coconut palms are grown on a mass scale, especially in Indonesia, desiccated coconut is added to a variety of dishes, especially to rice fried on coconut oil.