The coconut is a tropical fruit whose origin is disputed between southern Asia and northeastern South America. Its harvest can occur in any month of the year in tropical climates. There are varieties of cultivated coconut trees or palm trees, known as: giant, dwarf and hybrid and they can occur all year round. The time from flowering to correct fruit formation is approximately five months.
Its production is intended for the extraction of oils, butter, for grating, for dehydrated use, extraction of its water, transformation into milk, manufacturing coconut flour and even producing coconut sugar. But the four most important uses of coconut in cooking are:
1. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is extracted from dried or fresh coconut. It is used quite regularly as a moisturizing cosmetic product, especially for dry skin and hair. Likewise, it can be used in gastronomy to make grilled meat, chicken and fish, sauté vegetables and use for baking.
READ ALSO: COCONUT OIL AND ITS MANY BENEFITS
2. Coconut milk
Coconut milk is the derivative most widely accepted by consumers. It is an ideal plant milk for vegans, and its nutritional properties support this. This milk is used for breakfasts with cereals or if you want to make exquisite fruit smoothies with a thick consistency, use coconut milk.
PUDDING RECIPE WITH COCONUT MILK AND CHIA
3. Coconut sugar
Coconut sugar has become the first natural sweetener capable of displacing traditional white sugar. The raw material for its preparation is extracted from the nectar of the flowers, which through a cooking process is transformed into brown sugar crystals. This type of sweetener is characterized by having a low glycemic index, ideal for diabetics.
4. Coconut flour
Coconut flour is obtained from the pulp that arises after the pressing and straining process to obtain milk. This undergoes a drying process so that it is subsequently ground, resulting in flour. This is especially used in baking to make cookies, cakes, biscuits, as a decorator in pastries and as a filling in breads.
Coconut properties
Each 100g of coconut provides:
- 351 Kcal
- 36g of fat
- 3.9g of carbohydrates
- 10.5g of fibers
Sweets derived from coconut
And if adults and children like something, it is the sweets derived from coconut such as coquitos with milk cream, cookies with butter and coconut, and coconut and nut pudding. In addition, grated coconut combines very well in everything related to pastries and bakery products.
Coconut is really a fruit that keeps secrets of flavors for the palate inside.
RECIPE FOR OATMEAL, COCONUT AND DATES PANCAKES
