Coconut Chips
Coconut chips is a ready to eat snack prepared from 9-10 months
old coconuts. It can be prepared by dehydrating the intermediate
moisture coconut kernel. Intermediate moisture coconut kernel
is the mature coconut kernel after removing the moisture content
of the kernel partially by osmotic dehydration by using osmotic
mediums like sugar syrup. Coconut Chips is crispy and can be
packaged and marketed in laminated aluminium pouches, which
will have a shelf life of 6 months. Since it is in ready-to-eat form,
it could be used as snacks at any time. Coconut chips with different
flavours can be prepared by adding the required flavour essence
in the osmotic medium. Instead of sweet, salted coconut chips
and medicated coconut chips can also be prepared by suitable
change in the osmotic medium.
Coconut milk
Coconut Milk refers to the oil-protein-water emulsions obtained
by squeezing fresh grated coconut kernel. The undiluted and
diluted are referred to as coconut milk and concentrated form as
coconut cream. Coconut milk is obtained by extraction of fresh
coconut wet gratings with/without water. This is an instant
product, which can either be used directly/diluted with water to
make various preparations such as fish & meat dishes, curries,
sweets, deserts, puddings, cocktails, cakes, cookies, coconut jam,
ice creams etc. It can also be used in the manufacture of bakery
products and for flavouring food stuffs. Preserved forms of
coconut milk such as canned cream or milk and dehydrated whole
milk are now available in many coconut growing countries.
Commercial production of these products has been promoted in
the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Western Samoa, Sri Lanka
and Malaysia and to some extent in India. Indonesia is the leading
exporter followed by Sri Lanka, Thailand and Philippines.
Coconut Skimmed Milk
Coconut fresh kernel is a rich source of plant protein and could
well be an invaluable material for the preparation of milk
substitutes. Coconut skim milk is a solution of the soluble
components of coconut after the cream is separated in a cream
separator. Skimmed milk is a good source of quality protein
236 coconut
ANCHOR
INDIA
suitable for the preparation of many useful food products or as
supplemental protein source, especially in regions deficient in
animal proteins. Freshly prepared coconut milk from pared kernel
is filtered through a 120 mesh vibrating screen and the pH of the
filtered milk is raised from 6.3 to 7.0 with the additions of sodium
hydroxide. The milk is then pasteurised at about 60oC for one
hour and subsequently centrifuged in a cream separator to yield
the aqueous phase or the protein rich skim milk. Skim milk can
be concentrated to a protein rich non-fat solid-product for
industrial use. Skim milk can be used for the production of a
variety of products like spray dried powder, coconut honey,
coconut jam and sweetened condensed milk. In addition, it can
also be used as a substitute for the preparation of fermented
beverage concentrate and also as a source of vegetable casein.
The gastro-intestinal disturbances in infants can be treated by
feeding coconut milk, which shows that coconut skim milk having
the same protein level (1.6 percent) as mother’s milk is wellutilized by infants.
Spray Dried Coconut Milk powder
Coconut milk powder is the dehydrated form of the coconut milk.
This product has a good keeping quality and retains the natural
flavor, texture and taste of coconut milk. CDB in collaboration
with the CFTRI has developed technology for spray drying of
coconut milk, which