Nata de Coco Description
Nata de coco is a popular food in Southeast Asia, especially in the Philippines and Indonesia. It is made from fermented coconut water, mixed with acetic acid, and left to ferment for several weeks. It has a chewiness similar to marshmallows. It is often used as an ingredient in desserts, such as fruit salads and ice cream, and is also eaten on its own as a snack. Nata de coco is low in calories and fat and is a good source of fiber.
The origin of Nata de Coco
- Nata de coco was first created in 1973 in the Philippines by trying to preserve coconut water as a jelly-like substance.
- Its name is derived from Spanish and means “coconut cream” or “milk coconut skin”., often used as a sweet or dessert or served with a variety of foods such as drinks, ice cream, puddings, and fruit cocktails.
- It is a jelly-like, translucent, chewy food produced by fermentation of coconut water, gelling through the production of microbial cellulose by Acetobacter xylinum.
How to Make Nata de Coco At Home?
Raw Materials
- 1 ½ cups of coconut water
- ¼ cup of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of nata starter
Instructions:
- Mix coconut water and sugar in a pot and heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let it cool down.
- Add vinegar and nata starter to the cooled mixture and stir well.
- Transfer the mixture to a clean, sterilized container and cover it with a clean cloth or paper towel. Place in a warm and dark place, away from direct sunlight.
- Leave it to ferment for 7-10 days or until the mixture thickens and turns into jelly-like cubes.
- Once the mixture has turned into jelly-like cubes, drain the liquid and rinse the nata with clean water.
- Cut the nata into small pieces and store them in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator. It can last for several weeks.
Tips
- During fermentation, the container must be washed and sterilized to avoid contamination
- Check daily to make sure the mixture is not moldy or smelly
- You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar.
- Nata de Coco will be more delicious by adding juice or essence during fermentation.
Some dishes mixed with Nata de Coco
Nata de Coco has been becoming one of the favorite ingredients in cream-based desserts, drinks, and other desserts, in the Philippines and several countries. Here are some of the dishes that can be mixed with Nata de Coco:
Fruit salad
It is a refreshing healthy dish made from fruit, vegetables, and nata de coco for a chewy texture and sweet flavor.
Ice-cream
This is definitely going to be a great refreshment for the hot summer
Pudding
Nata de coco pudding is a creamy dessert made with coconut milk, sugar, and agar-agar.
Nata de Coco Juice Drink
Cojo Cojo Juice Drink with Nata de Coco is extracted from fresh fruit and produced in a modern technological process to help retain the fresh taste. This will definitely be a suitable drink for hot summer days with various choices such as strawberry, lychee, banana, orange, and coconut,…
Nata de Coco is a healthy and nutritious jelly but it takes a long time to make. Cojo Cojo with Nata de Coco will be the solution for you