Coconut Flour

Description

Coconut flour is uniquely different from wheat alternatives. It is naturally low in digestible carbohydrates and contains no gluten. It has fewer carbohydrates than soy or nut flours, but is high in fiber and a good source of protein. Coconut flour is 4 times higher in fiber than oat bran, 2 times higher in fiber than wheat bran, and 3 times higher in fiber than ground flaxseed. Unlike other fibers, coconut flour/fiber can be used as a flour to make delicious bakery products and main dishes that are much tastier than their wheat alternatives. Coconut flour also contains more protein than white, rye flour or cornmeal. It has as much protein as buckwheat or whole wheat flours. Breads made with coconut flour are light and soft and have a wonderful taste and texture

How to Use Coconut Flour in Your Kitchen
As a rule, you need to add approximately 6 eggs for every ½ cup of coconut flour you use in your recipe and will need to increase liquids because the fiber greatly absorbs liquid. Eggs will take the place of the gluten found in wheat, and help the fiber to stick together. Other people who want to increase their fiber intake, but do not want to bake or make anything, add coconut flour to smoothies. Coconut flour is more palatable in smoothies than any other fiber, even though it supplies significantly more roughage than any other source.

Adding Coconut Flour to Your Favorite Recipe
Because Coconut flour does not contain any gluten, it will fall apart if you substitute it 100% for another flour in a wheat based recipe. You can, however, substitute up to 25% (15-20% is best) of that flour with coconut flour. In addition, whatever amount of coconut flour you use, you need to increase the liquid in your recipe by that same measure. So, for example, if your recipe calls for 2 cups of wheat flour, you could use 1 ½ cups of wheat flour, ½ cup of coconut flour, and ½ cup of additional liquid such as milk, water, or juice. This will greatly increase the fiber content of that food.