What is desiccated coconut?

Desiccated coconut is coconut meat that has been chipped, flaked, shredded or powdered, and that has been dried thoroughly to reduce moisture to the lowest possible amount. Dried coconut is essentially the same, but is likely to be slightly more moist than coconut denoted as desiccated.

Desiccated coconut is sweet, nutty, white and powdery like snow. Available varieties include sweetened, toasted, or a combination referred to as "toasted sweetened." Desiccated coconut can be used in a number of baked goods, sprinkled on cereal or eaten as a stand-alone snack. Desiccated coconut has nearly the same nutritional values as fresh coconut, although lost a portion of the nutrients are typically lost due to the drying process.