All the Coconut Things & What To Do With Them

Coconut has become an instant favorite of the health-conscious. We’re guessing you’ve seen people going cuckoo for coconut oil (including us) for a while now!

But seeing the internet freak out over coconut oil everything might leave you with a few questions: what about the rest of the coconut, like the meat? What makes coconut butter different from coconut oil or coconut milk?

Totally understandable. Let’s dig in to how the most popular coconut products are made and how you can use them.

1Coconut Oil

• Which part of the coconut does it come from?
  • Coconut meat
• How is coconut oil made?
  • Oil is extracted from the coconut meat
  • Typically accomplished by cold pressing the meat until the oil is released
• How do you use coconut oil?
  • cooking oil
  • butter/oil replacement in baking
  • skin moisturizer
  • toothpaste
  • and many, many more uses

 

2Coconut Butter

• Which part of the coconut does it come from?
  • Coconut meat
• How is coconut butter made?
  • Coconut meat is blended until smooth
• How do you use coconut butter?
  • eat plain by the spoonful
  • as a spread (i.e., on toast)
  • melt and drizzle over fruit and other desserts

 

3Coconut Flour

• Which part of the coconut does it come from?
  • Coconut meat
• How is coconut flour made?
  • Coconut meat is completely dried and pulverized
• How do you use coconut flour?
  • baking
• Tip
  • Coconut flour is very absorbent and will NOT sub 1:1 with wheat flour. Instead, sub 1/4 cup for every cup of wheat flour.

 

4Coconut Milk

• Which part of the coconut does it come from?
  • Coconut meat
• How is coconut milk made?
  • Coconut meat is grated and mixed with a little water, then squeezed
  • Coconut milk’s thickness and rich taste is due to the high amount of oil.
• How do you use coconut milk?
  • rich sauces
  • desserts
  • soups
  • curries

 

5Coconut Water

• Which part of the coconut does it come from?
  • The center of the coconut. As the coconut matures, the coconut water inside deposits into the rind
• How is coconut water made?
  • Coconut water is the clear water that comes from the inside of young, still immature coconuts
• How do you use coconut water?
  • drink as is
  • add to smoothies
• Tip
  • Drink coconut water post-workout—it’s a natural source of electrolytes

 

6Coconut Shreds/Flakes

• Which part of the coconut does it come from?
  • Coconut meat
• How are coconut shreds made?
  • Coconut meat is shredded and dried
• How do you use coconut shreds/flakes?
  • baking
  • smoothies
  • toast and enjoy as a snack or a topping
• Tip
  • You can make your own coconut butter by blending coconut shreds or flakes until smooth

 

7Coconut Sugar

• Which part of the coconut does it come from?
  • Coconut tree blossoms
• How is coconut sugar made?
  • Crystal coconut sugar is made by “tapping” and collecting the sap from coconut tree blossoms
  • The sap is then heated to evaporate the moisture
• How do you use coconut sugar?
  • Use in place of sugar in baking and cooking

 

Need more direction on how to use all these different coconut products? Check out our recipes using coconut!