Coconut is versatile and can be used in many different recipes in various guises, be it milk, oil, dried, or shredded. It is a great addition to curries, cakes, cookies, soups, and rice. However, maybe you just want to enjoy it as it is.
Perhaps you want to add it to cereal or a fruit bowl but you don’t think that you’ll be able to use it all up before it goes bad. It will last in an airtight container for two to three weeks, but can you extend the shelf-life by freezing it? The simple answer is yes and in this article, we will tell you how to freeze it for the best results.
How To Freeze Coconut
1. Remove the husk.
Get a sharp knife and cut away the husk. Discard it.
2. Drain the liquid.
The liquid from coconut doesn’t freeze well, but don’t waste it. It makes a delicious drink as it is or added to a smoothie or juice (see also Can You Freeze Aloe Vera?). You can even pour it over ice cream. Put it into a container and store it in the fridge. It will last for a few days.
3. Slice the coconut into chunks.
Cut the coconut into the size of chunks that you think you will use. They can be as big or as small as you want.
4. Put the coconut chunks into a freezer bag.
Squeeze out all the air from the freezer bag so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. Freezer burn will ruin the taste and texture of your coconut and it may even spoil. Alternatively, you can use an airtight container to store your coconut chunks. Put a label on the bag or container with the date and contents.
5. Freeze.
Tips For Freezing Coconut
- If you want to ensure that the coconut chunks don’t stick together, you can flash-freeze them. Get a baking tray and line it with parchment paper. Lay out the coconut chunks, making sure that they aren’t touching each other. Freeze for a couple of hours until the chunks are solid and then bag them up and return to the freezer.
- To preserve the coconut chunks for longer, sprinkle them with a light dusting of brown sugar. However, ensure that it is a light dusting as you don’t want to add too much sugar and make the coconut too sweet.
- You can shred the coconut instead of slicing it into chunks. Use either a food processor or a hand grater to shred it. Divide it into portions so that you only defrost as much as you will need at a time. Put the portions into freezer bags, squeezing out the air to prevent freezer burn.
For How Long Can You Freeze Coconut?
You can freeze coconut for up to six months. It is always a good idea to freeze it as soon as you buy it to make sure that it is as fresh as possible. You never know how long it has been in the store and you don’t want to risk it going bad.
How Do You Defrost Coconut?
If you plan to eat it as it is, the best way to defrost coconut is to put it in the fridge and allow it to defrost slowly and steadily. This will help to retain its taste and texture. It will take up to six hours for the coconut to defrost, depending on the size of the chunks. Of course, shredded coconut will defrost much more quickly.
However, if you are using the coconut in a recipe or a smoothie, you don’t need to defrost it. Just add it as it is. If you are making a hot dish such as soup or curry, the chunks will soon melt and if you are adding them to a smoothie, the blender will mix them in easily.
Can You Refreeze the Coconut
Technically, it is possible to refreeze coconut. However, every time you freeze, defrost, and refreeze, ice crystals are formed. These can change the texture of your food and the coconut may start to become soggy. The taste may alter as well, and it might not be as delicious. To avoid this problem, divide your coconut into meal-size portions and freeze them in separate freezer bags. In this way, you will only defrost what you need and there will be no need for refreezing.
Is It A Good Idea To Freeze Coconut?
Yes, it is. Coconut freezes well, and it is useful to have a supply of coconut on hand whenever you want to add it to a recipe, smoothie, your cereal, or yoghurt. As long as the coconut is fresh when you freeze it and you wrap it well, not allowing air to get in, your coconut will freeze well for up to six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, you now know all there is to know about freezing coconut but in case you are still curious, we have answered a few questions here.
Coconut milk is very popular. You can drink it as it is or put it in a smoothie. Add it to a recipe such as Thai chicken curry, or chickpea stew with coconut. It goes well in soups and casseroles. So, can you freeze it? Yes, you can but don’t freeze it in the tin. It can expand in the freezer and the tin could burst and make a mess in your freezer. Pour it into airtight containers, dividing it into meal-size portions. Don’t fill them right up to the top as the milk may expand. Don’t use freezer bags as they could burst.
Coconut cream can be used in many different types of desserts such as coconut cream pie, coconut pound cake, and chewy coconut cream cookies. The good news is that you can freeze it in the same way as you would freeze coconut milk.
Yes, you can, and you can freeze it for up to an impressive five years. You probably won’t need a lot of oil each time so the best way to freeze it is by the ice cube tray method. Pour the oil into the slots of an ice cube tray, ensuring that you don’t fill them right up to the top as the oil might expand in the freezer. Flash freeze the oil and then bag up. By using this method, the cubes won’t stick together.
Absolutely. All of these freezes well.
