Baking with Coconut Flour
Many people are turning to flour alternatives, and for a variety of reasons. Be it gluten sensitivity or allergy, the need for a lower glycemic flour, or a desire for a more nutrient dense option, people are indeed looking beyond the standard white, bleached flour.
There are honestly so many alternatives to choose from today, but coconut flour is one that I would encourage you to try. Here are some basics to know...
Coconut flour is made by separating and removing the milk from the the white meat of the coconut. That meat is then dried and ground to a fine powder, suitable for cooking and baking.
Not only is it a low glycemic food, but also provides a good ratio of carbohydrate, fat and protein and with 6 g of fiber per 2 tablespoon, makes it an excellent source of fiber. That fiber helps to maintain stable blood sugars by prolonging the release of glucose into your blood stream, which is something we all could use when consuming baked goods.
Due to the high fiber content, coconut flour is much more dense and absorbent, so it does not behave exactly as regular flour. To achieve the right consistency, it is recommended to use 4 eggs per one cup of flour or to add liquid to the flour in a 1:1 ratio. Admittedly this does take a little trial and error, but once your find the sweet spot, you are good to go! You can also cut the classic flour with the coconut flour, to maintain a more workable consistency.
Coconut Secret was kind enough to let me test out their Raw Coconut Flour, so I decided to take it for a spin in some blueberry muffins. Not only did I appreciate the nutritional aspects, but the flour lended a beautiful and subtle coconut flavor to the muffins. They were delicious.
Coconut Secret's coconut flour is made from 100% raw, organic, unbleached coconuts. It is produced in a dedicated facility, so there is ZERO cross-contamination with potential allergens. In addition to baking, it can be used to thicken sauces and smoothies or crust fish or chicken for pan-frying.
They have a variety of other great products; coconut aminos, vinegars, nectars, and sauces. I also tried their pure Coconut Oil, which was absolute heaven and gone in less than a week. If you'd like to try some of Coconut Secret's products, you can find some of them at Whole Foods Markets, small, local grocers and online retailers (Thrive Market).
I much prefer ordering from small companies that truly care about the quality and impact of their product. I just ordered another tin of flour and plan to try it out in some holiday recipes this season.
- Tara
*Coconut Secret provided this product in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.