Coconut Kernel-Based Products

As one of the world’s largest coconut exporters, the Sri Lankan coconut-based industry is diverse and multi-faceted. Identifying coconut’s importance as a major source for many products, each segment of the Sri Lankan coconut industry helps the fruit to serve a wide range of purposes. The products that result from each of these segments find themselves highly recognized in the global market. This has created a high global demand interminably served by Sri Lankan coconut exporters. As a result, followed by Tea and Rubber, Coconut is identified to be Sri Lanka’s third most essential agricultural sector that supports the local economy.

All Sri Lankan coconut kernel based products are manufactured at facilities certified under ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, HACCP, and BRC certifications with no animal abuse throughout the entire production process.

Desiccated Coconut

Manufactured from the peeled kernel of the seasoned coconut, desiccated coconut from Sri Lanka is a dry, finely ground, white ingredient that is mainly used in the bakery and confectionery industries.

The place held by Sri Lankan desiccated coconut in the world market is built upon its unmatched quality in ingredients, rich taste, and texture. Its quality is mostly demanded by international producers of biscuits, chocolates, and other sweets. Sri Lanka is the birthplace of desiccated coconuts. These dried, shredded particles are originally extracted from the peeled kernel of the fruit.

Manufacturing Process

During the process to manufacture desiccated coconut, first, the fruit is de-husked in the field and transported to the factory. They are then split to obtain the complete, undamaged nut within and removal of the outer brown testa and extraction of coconut water take place

The pieces of endosperm or the coconut meat are washed with fresh water to remove any remaining coconut water and other debris to prevent discoloration.

The kernel pieces are then pasteurized in live steam, followed by grinding or shredding and drying using a steam-heated dryer, in which the moisture content is adjusted to 2.5–3.0%. Afterwards, the product is cooled, graded by size and packed. Desiccated coconut is available in three standard cut sizes namely; super-fine, fine and medium. In addition, manufacturers also produce fancy cuts such as Chips, Flakes, Threads and Shreds upon the demand of buyers.

Health Benefits of Desiccated Coconut

• Desiccated coconut contains healthy fat and little or no harmful cholesterol. This fat further contains selenium, fibre, copper, and manganese promoting heart health and reducing cancer risk and male infertility.
• The dietary fiber stored in desiccated coconut aids weight loss. This happens when it mixes with the fluid that passes through the stomach and intestines. It further reduces the risk of developing visceral belly fat.
• Desiccated coconut is also an amazing Osteoporosis and Arthritis preventive. It has been proved that fatty acids present in coconut strengthens bones, and prevents the degradation of bones. (1)
• Individuals with diabetes have lower levels of manganese in their system. But desiccated coconut contains high levels of manganese. This helps consumers to lower the risk of diabetes. (2)

Coconut Chips

Manufactured from the peeled kernel of the seasoned coconut, desiccated coconut from Sri Lanka is a dry, finely ground, white ingredient that is mainly used in the bakery and confectionery industries.

The place held by Sri Lankan desiccated coconut in the world market is built upon its unmatched quality in ingredients, rich taste, and texture. Its quality is mostly demanded by international producers of biscuits, chocolates, and other sweets. Sri Lanka is the birthplace of desiccated coconuts. These dried, shredded particles are originally extracted from the peeled kernel of the fruit.

Health Benefits of Coconut Chips

• Coconut chips are a good source of dietary fibre. Once consumed, it helps you feel full for a longer period. This is because most other snacks consist of fats, proteins and carbohydrates that can easily be absorbed by the body. This pattern does not apply to dietary fiber.
• Medium-chain-fatty-acids (MCFAs) found in coconut chips is a type of saturated fat that does not get stored in the body. Instead, it is immediately converted to energy. Coconut chips are also a good source of MCFAs, which also supports gut health.

Coconut Oil

Hailed as a superfood and widely used in food and beverage, culinary, and beauty care industries, coconut oil from Sri Lanka is mainly made by pressing and filtering copra under 70 to 75 Celsius temperature using a Screw Press.

Containing the lowest level of unsaturated fatty acids among all vegetable oils, coconut oil is a unique vegetable-based oil due to its containing short and medium-chain saturated fatty acids. (3)

Coconut oil also contains a range of useful characteristics including; low melting temperature, resistance to oxidative rancidity, good flavor and aroma. Moreover, coconut oil is rich in Lauric Acid and other saturated fats that are ideal to provide the human body with quick energy and improved metabolism and many other health benefits.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

• Coconut oil is rich in Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), a type of fat that the human body metabolizes differently than most other fats. MCTs are responsible for many of the health benefits of coconut oil including improved metabolism.
• The Lauric acid in coconut oil forms a substance called monolaurin which is effective against pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi
• The MCTs in coconut oil get converted into ketones within the liver. Ketones are a key factor in reducing childhood epilepsy and seizure and medical researchers have been experimenting with a coconut oil-based Keto diet to treat seizures in children. (4)
• In addition to being a superfood, coconut oil is also a great moisturizer for dry skin and reduce the symptoms of eczema (5)

Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil is produced using the white kernel of the coconut through a process known as the ‘Wet Process’.

Although there are two methods of producing virgin coconut oil around the world, namely the traditional method using coconut milk and wet process extraction, Sri Lankan virgin coconut oil manufacturers follow the wet process.

During the process the kernel is scraped out, dried under the right temperature, and cooled down to the normal room temperature which is then fed to a pressing cylinder that produces colorless and odorless, pure virgin coconut oil.

The product was a recent discovery that was introduced as an alternative to the traditional coconut oil derived from copra. However, virgin coconut oil is certified and subjected for consumption as it provides its consumer with numerous health benefits.

Health Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil

• Virgin Coconut Oil is rich in Lauric acid, a powerful biochemical to help boost the immune system and treat a vast range of medical conditions from common allergies to critical ailments.
• The coconut kernel-based virgin coconut oil does a great job of keeping bacteria away from the digestive system. It contains a considerable amount of Caprylic acid which reduces harmful gut bacteria and organisms.
• Like every other coconut kernel-based product, virgin coconut oil is rich in saturated fat, which aids weight loss. The fatty acids found in the oil do not deposit inside the body. Instead, they are sent to the liver where they are converted into energy. Therefore, virgin coconut oil can be considered as one type of oil that is safe to consume.
• Virgin coconut oil is also a rich source of vitamin E, which promotes skin cell generation and helps to generate an anti-bacterial layer on the skin when applied externally. Therefore, it is a frequently used ingredient in the production of soaps, balms, lotions, and other cosmetics.

Coconut Milk

Mostly known for its wide use in the preparation of food, coconut milk from Sri Lanka is a product of the coconut kernel that enjoys a high demand in the world market. Coconut milk is produced by pressing grated fresh coconut kernel to extract its white concentrated liquid with a creamy flavor and tropical aroma.

Coconut milk is available in undiluted and diluted form in the market and is available in liquid, skimmed and spray dried powder form. Coconut skimmed milk is made by separating the fat from the extracted coconut milk through centrifugal separation. Skimmed milk is a good source of quality protein suitable for the preparation of many useful food products.

Although traditionally used in cooking, with the current global trends such as vegan & Gluten-free and Soy-free foods coconut milk has gained recent popularity as a substitute for dairy milk. Accordingly, today a wide range of flavored and unflavored drinking coconut milk is being manufactured and exported from Sri Lanka to the world. The distinct white color followed by its unique aroma and flavor has made Sri Lankan Coconut milk the most sought after in the world market.

Health Benefits of Coconut Milk

• Consuming coconut milk could improve good cholesterol levels. Consumption of coconut milk lowers LDL or "bad” cholesterol while increasing HDL or "good” cholesterol (6)
• Coconut milk consumption helps weight control and metabolism. Instead of getting deposited as fat, Lauric acid in coconut milk helps the body to generate energy and improves metabolism. (7)
• Coconut milk is a great source of vitamin C and E. These vitamins contain antioxidant properties that help the body to eliminate free oxygen radicals. This protects the body from ageing and tumor growth.
• Although coconut milk is promoted as an edible product, it also provides great benefits when applied externally. The high-fat content of the milk seals the moisture in the hair. This reduces dandruff and prevents the scalp from drying. It also improves the elasticity of the skin, making it look more youthful.

Coconut Cream

Extracted similarly to coconut milk, coconut cream from Sri Lanka is a thicker extract of shredded coconut meat. When the shredded coconut is simmered in water it creates a creamy thick layer and a waterier layer. The creamy layer is considered coconut cream which has a high consistency when compared to coconut milk. It is mainly used as a dairy-free alternative when preparing food and beverages. Just like coconut milk, the cream of the fruit results in a lot of benefits as they carry similar nutrients.

Coconut milk and coconut cream are available in canned retail and bulk packs as well as in Tetra Pak for purchase.

Coconut Butter

Coconut butter is made by grinding up white coconut meat. Coconut butter does not share the same smoothness as other dairy ingredients, or fruit-based butter types. It contains small flakes of ground coconut meat. The product contains a lot of nutrients that support its consumers with their good health.

Similar to coconut oil, coconut butter is known for aiding weight loss, boosting immunity, and many more but unlike coconut oil, it also contains higher amounts of saturated fat and dietary fiber.

Health & Beauty Benefits of Coconut Butter

• Consumption of coconut butter daily helps the body to receive its required amounts of healthy fats, especially Lauric acid, which converts into energy and provides active protection against osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, certain kinds of cancer, and stomach infections.
• Coconut butter also boosts immunity. With its high percentage of Lauric acid, coconut butter marks itself next to breastmilk, which is the best-known source of Lauric acid for a newborn.
• The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut butter are easier to digest. Therefore, it helps to reduce inflammation. As a result, it is an ideal dietary supplement for people suffering from diabetes, osteoporosis, gallbladder disease, and Crohn’s disease. It can also aid in treating cancer.

In addition to its numerous health benefits, coconut butter is also a great moisturizer for skin and hair and provides much-needed moisture and protection with the benefit of vitamins.

Coconut Flour

Coconut flour is made from dried and ground coconut kernel and is mostly produced as a by-product of coconut milk production.

Free of Gluten, coconut flour is a white or off-white flour commonly used in the food industry as a substitute for wheat flour. Since coconut flour is thicker than wheat flour and retains more liquid recipes has to be adjusted when producing food products with coconut flour for specialized diet requirements.

Despite its anomalies, coconut flour has more fat, protein, and fibre. Iron is the primary mineral present in coconut flour, making it a good source of iron for people on vegan or vegetarian diets.