Coconut Forms and Availability
Peak months for fresh coconuts are October through December, but due to its prolific nature, it can be found year-round in many markets. Most markets will display fresh coconuts already removed from the outer husk, stripped down to the hard dark-brown shell with the three distinctive circular indentations at the base end.If you do not have access to fresh coconut, you can find dried, desiccated, grated, flaked or toasted coconut in packages or cans, usually in the area where cake-baking supplies are sold or sometimes in with the canned fruits.
Shredded coconut has less than 3 percent moisture content and about 68 percent oil. It is also sold frozen in the freezer cases as well as in both sweetened and unsweetened forms. You can toast or color your own at home with these instructions.
If you are lucky enough to have a coconut palm, you can also enjoy green coconuts. Young green coconuts at about six months of age have a gelatinous center with a texture similar to a melon, which can be scooped out with a spoon. It has a fresh, fruity almost nutty flavor, not overly sweet.
More about Coconuts and Coconut Recipes:
• Coconut Selection and Storage• Coconut Forms and Availability
• What is coconut milk? FAQ
• Coconut History
• Coconut Lore and Legends
• Coconut Cream Recipe
• Coconut Milk Recipe
• How to Toast Coconut
• Coconut Recipes
Coconuts Photo © 2007 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
