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Coconut flour is a soft gluten-free flour produced from dried coconut meat. It is a natural byproduct of coconut milk production. When coconut meat is blended and pressed for milk, the leftover pulp is dried at low temperature and ground until it produces a soft, fine powder. Flour from coconut is a nut-free and protein-rich alternative to grain-based flours. Those on a grain restrictive diet will find it invaluable. Besides, the flour is also rich in fibre and low in carbohydrate. Here are 5 things you should know about this flour:
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Coconut flour is versatile

You can drink the coconut water, eat the meat, use its oil for cooking. Likewise, you can prepare a number of dishes with the flour. Coconut flour is especially good for baking. Cookies, cakes, bread, pancakes are some foods that can be made with this flour. It is also used to prepare coconut fufu, is a low carb swallow. Those on a diet should have this flour in their pantry.

It has an Absorbent Nature

Coconut flour is very thirsty. It drinks up liquid real fast. So, you may need to adjust the number of moist ingredients in your recipe. A new user may find getting the ratio of flour to liquid challenging. That’s because if the wet ingredients added to this flour is too little, the mixture will end up dense and if it’s too much, it will be too soft. What’s more, if you want your coconut flour to last longer, then you should store it in an airtight container. If you fail to do this, it will absorb moisture and spoil quickly.

It Should be Sifted before Use

Foods baked with this flour usually have a gritty texture. So, it’s advisable to sift the flour before use. Sifting takes only but a few minutes but it will help break up the lumps in the flour. It will also make the flour lighter and easier to use.
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Coconut Flour Requires Eggs When Used in Baking

Because coconut flour is so absorbent, it has a drying effect on baked goods. However, baking with lots of eggs can counteract this drying effect. Thus, it requires more eggs than regular flour. Eggs act as a binder to this flour. The proteins in the egg whites provide structure to baked goods while the yolks provide moisture.

It is Rich in Salicylates

Salicylates are naturally occurring chemicals in wholesome foods like citrus and coconuts. Some people react negatively to salicylates. Headaches, hyperactivity and eczema are some of the side effects of this compound. Those who are sensitive to this chemical should avoid coconut and its byproducts. I hope this information will help you value and use the coconut flour in your pantry effectively.   References: All Recipes Nourished Kitchen Nutiva   Featured Image Source: The House of Goodies
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This article was first published on 31st August 2020

udevi-obiamaka-angela

Udevi, Obiamaka Angela holds a Master of Arts degree in History & International Studies. She's a freelance writer with a passion for food and healthy living. She can be contacted through her email address, obiudevi@yahoo.com

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