Coconut Chiplets

Coconut Chiplets

Coconut chiplets are made out of Coconut Kernel. It is used as a snack and as the same time used for various coconut type deoration as well as coconut included food. 

Coconut kernel is a potent source of carbohydrate and rich source of plant protein with appreciable amount of fiber. The dehydrated coconut Chiplets are one of the important product of intermediate moisture coconut kernel. Intermediate moisture coconut kernel is the mature coconut kernel after removal of moisture content of the kernel, partially by osmotic dehydration. Using a new method of drying on the basis of osmosis, in which partial dehydration in sliced form is brought about by dipping the fresh kernel in sugar solution followed by hot air drying. This is claimed to result in product with better flavor than freeze drying method at comparatively lesser cost. Utilizing this technology, a process was developed for producing white color sweet coconut Chiplets by osmotic dehydration followed by hot air drying. Experiments were carried out to produce beet root and carrot colored coconut Chiplets. The coconut was subjected to dehusking, deshelling, testa removing, slicing, blanching and was allowed for osmotic dehydration by soaking in juice solution (beet root /carrot juice with sugar syrup) for one hour. The color and sugar treated coconut slices were dried at different temperatures viz., 60°C, 70°C and 80°C for 4-7 h. The hot air tray drier was used for drying the coconut slices. The higher drying temperature (80ºC) took only 3 h to dry the Chiplets and the lower temperature (60ºC) required 5 h drying time for the complete removal of moisture. Blanched colored coconut Chiplets (carrot and beet root), dried at 80ºC showed high overall acceptability. The dehydrated coconut Chiplets are in ready-to-eat form and can be used as snacks or it can be used at any time just like fresh kernel after rehydration of the Chiplets. The product diversification in coconut Chiplets making will enhance the marketability and consumption of coconut Chiplets. By giving natural color to the sweetened coconut Chiplets, the nutritional quality as well as the attractiveness can be improved so that it can flourish in the domestic market.