Crafting Unsweetened Coconut Flakes: Two Simple Methods

1. Selecting and Opening the Coconut:

• Choose a fresh coconut that feels heavy for its size and has no visible cracks.
• Use a hammer or a heavy knife to crack open the coconut. Drain the coconut water and save it for later use.

2. Removing the Coconut Flesh:

• Use a coconut scraper or a knife to carefully pry the coconut flesh away from the shell.
• Rinse the coconut flesh under cold water to remove any remaining shell fragments.

3. Shredding the Coconut:

• Use a box grater or a food processor fitted with a shredding blade to grate the coconut flesh into flakes.
• Spread the coconut flakes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

4. Drying the Coconut Flakes:

• Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
• Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the coconut flakes for 5-10 minutes, or until they are lightly golden brown and fragrant.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the coconut flakes cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

Method 2: Store-Bought Coconut