Topic: What is Coconut Powder?

[Unclebuck]

So WHAT IS "coconut flour"

Mrs Coconut Flour says:
Coconut Flour is made from fresh organic coconut meat dried defatted and finely ground into powder of similar consistency to wheat flour. 15-25% replaces other flours in most recipes.
 

http://www.kokonutpacific.com.au/OilSales/OilIndex.html?Health/CoconutFlour.php

[Razor]

In BIR terms, which is what we should be thinking about, coconut flour is more than likely what they use, coz it's cheap.  Coconut powder as in coconut 'milk' powder, would not be used, coz its expensive!

I think based on that logic, coconut flour is the one, even if it sometimes gets described as coconut powder.  It is powdery in appearence but not as silky as normal flour in texture, hence the grainyness that you get in BIR CTM or Korma.

If anyone is in doubt of it, leave your CTM or Korma to go cold.  You can almost see the texture that the coconut flour adds to the dish.

Im pretty sure that 'most' BIR's don't use coconut milk either, so why would they use coconut milk powder?  I've known them to use cream or bog standard milk, and even heard of them using evaporated milk, but never coconut milk!  Seems more of a Thai thing to me!

Ray

[JerryM]

CA,

for me the flour is a very finely ground dessicated coconut. the "finely ground" is crucial as it allows it to cook out in a relatively short cooking time. desiccated will not.

[Cory Ander]

I don't know and I don't much care what coconut flour is, beyond any health concerns, if it works

The reason it matters to me is that I want to be clear about what people mean when they say "coconut flour" and therefore what to use.  I would think that most other members would wish to be equally clear.  Surprisingly few hits come up when you do a Google search on "coconut flour" (UB has posted a link to one of the few...which doesn't particularly clarify it for me).

In summary, are we saying the following:

• By observation, most BIRs seem to use "coconut flour" in dishes such as Korma and CTM
• "Coconut flour" is finely ground/milled "dessicated coconut" which is is derived from drying and grinding the dehydrated flesh ("meat") of the coconut.  It does not dissolve and imparts a "graininess" to the dish
• "Coconut milk powder" is different to "coconut flour" in that it is derived from extracting and spray drying the liquid ("cream") from the grated flesh of the coconut (not the actual milk/water inside the coconut not the coconut flesh itself).  It dissolves and imparts a smoother, creamier, texture to the dish
• "Coconut flour" is cheaper than "coconut milk powder"
• "Coconut powder" is sometimes used synonymously with "coconut flour" but can also mean "coconut milk powder".  The term "coconut powder" is ambiguous and needs to be clarified in recipes and discussions
• "Coconut milk" and "coconut cream" are the liquid versions of "coconut milk powder"
• "Coconut cream" is a creamier (more condensed) version of "coconut milk"
• "Creamed coconut" is the solid, condensed, form of "coconut cream"

If this is correct, I am clear about the various forms of coconut and know that I can mill "desiccated coconut" to get "coconut flour", if I choose to do so.

Any disagreements with this summary?

[Cory Ander]

If the above summary is correct then the answer to emin-j's original question "is coconut flour" the same as "coconut powder" is "not necessarily". 

The term "coconut powder" is ambiguous and could mean "coconut flour" OR "coconut milk powder". 

Clarification needs to be sought from whoever used the term "coconut powder".

[Razor]

If members specify 'coconut milk powder' then this is what I would use.  If it is coconut powder that is specified, I personally would use what I know as coconut flour.

But I think CA's summary is spot on!

Ray

[Malc.]

Clarification needs to be sought from whoever used the term "coconut powder".

I have absolutely no idea what Coconut Powder is but my train of thought would suggest that the above statement is the only true answer.

I say this as it is clear that in translation the word powder is used to describe the ingredient in its make up. So ground Cumin becomes Cumin Powder.

So the only real way of concluding what a particular recipe calls for, is to ask the originator.

[George]

Cory just emailed me to say he'd accidentally deleted my last post, when I hoped I clarified exactly what coconut flour is, at least in my opinion. I hate redoing thngs, so I won't attempt it!

[Cory Ander]

Cory just emailed me to say he'd accidentally deleted my last post, when I hoped I clarified exactly what coconut flour is, at least in my opinion. I hate redoing thngs, so I won't attempt it!

Actually George, you didn't clarify it at all.  You said you don't care what it is and to just "throw it in".  Each to their own, though, eh?  And please correct me if I'm wrong

[George]

Actually George, you didn't clarify it at all.  You said you don't care what it is and to just "throw it in".  Each to their own, though, eh?  And please correct me if I'm wrong

You are wrong. The main point I made was that coconut flour is the stuff in a sack or pack marked (surprise, surprise) in big letters 'COCONUT FLOUR'

If that doesn't clarify it, I don't know what does. We could start debating one brand against another but it would be a bit like a debate on exactly what is 'granulated sugar.' Unless you're into molecular chemistry, it's probably not necessary to know more.

So, it follows, that all you need to do is buy the stuff clearly marked 'coconut flour' and throw it in.