Nuts, Seeds & Pastes
Dried Shredded Coconut in gelato
Dried shredded coconut (unsweetened desiccated coconut) is coconut meat that has been grated and dried to about 3% moisture, leaving a solids-rich flake that is roughly two-thirds fat. In gelato it works as a high-fat, high-fiber flavor inclusion rather than a sweetener or freezing-point modifier.
Balancing parameters
Per 100 g of product, verified against independent food-science sources (listed below).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Solids | 97% |
| Water | 3% |
| Sugars | 7.4% |
| Fat | 64.5% |
| MSNF | 0% |
| Protein | 6.9% |
| POD (sweetening power) | 7 |
| PAC (anti-freezing power) | 7 |
Typical use: 3-8% of the total mix as an inclusion; up to ~10% when coconut is the headline flavor and the fat balance is adjusted for it.
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Open the balancerHow to use it in gelato
Fold dried shredded coconut in as a flavor and texture inclusion, not as a functional sugar. At roughly 64-65% fat it is one of the fattiest inclusions you can add, so count its fat toward your total fat balance and reduce other fat sources (cream, egg yolk, nut paste) accordingly to avoid a greasy, heavy body. Its contribution to POD and PAC is negligible (about 7 each, driven only by ~7 g of mostly-sucrose sugars), so it will not soften the scoop or add meaningful sweetness on its own. The high insoluble fiber and dry flake absorb free water and can lift perceived total solids, helping structure but risking a dry or fibrous mouthfeel if overdosed. For a smoother result, many gelato makers hydrate or infuse the coconut in the warm mix, or pair the flake with coconut cream/milk to carry the flavor while the shreds provide bite.
Origin & background
Desiccated coconut was developed as a shelf-stable export product in the late 19th century, with commercial drying operations established in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) in the 1880s to serve European and North American confectionery markets. Per USDA FoodData Central, unsweetened dried coconut contains only about 3 g of water per 100 g, which is what gives it its long shelf life. It remains a staple flake in baking, confectionery and frozen desserts worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy - Nuts, coconut meat, dried (desiccated), not sweetened (FDC ID 170170): https://tools.myfooddata.com/nutrition-facts/170170/wt1
- ReciPal ingredient database (USDA-sourced) - Shredded Unsweetened Coconut per 100g: https://www.recipal.com/ingredients/419681-nutrition-facts-calories-protein-carbs-fat-shredded-unsweetened-coconut
- CheckYourFood - Coconut, desiccated nutrition per 100g: https://www.checkyourfood.com/ingredients/ingredient/329/coconut-desiccated
- USDA FoodData Central - Nuts, coconut meat, dried (desiccated), sweetened, shredded (comparison for sweetened variant): https://foodstruct.com/food/nuts-coconutmeat-drieddesiccated-sweetened-shredded