When should you use one versus the other?
When do you reach for the coconut flakes and when do you grab the shredded coconut?
Does it matter which you choose?
Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Sally Vargas
Here’s what I found out.
Both flakes and shreds are made from the flesh of the coconut.
Flakes are larger, and look like youve taken a peeler to your coconut and dried the results.
Marta Rivera
Shreds are smaller, and confetti-like.
Theyre also more prone to getting stuck in your teeth.
The size and shape also affect the taste and mouthfeel of the two products.
Simply Recipes / Eliezer Martinez
The texture of shredded coconut against the palate feels almost rough, says Berner.
Flakes stay crunchier than shreds which tend to absorb more moisture.
Coconut flakes are great for adding texture to baked goods such as cookies, muffins, and cakes.
They are also beautiful when used to decorate cakes or pies, she says.
She also likes adding them to granola and trail mixes.
Coconut shreds are great to blend into frostings or sprinkle/coat on top of the baked goods.
They are perfect for traditional favorites like coconut macaroons and carrot cake.
That means it typically has a longer shelf life.
How you store both kinds of coconut has an impact on how long they last.
In general, a cool and dry place is the best to store them.
