You can't make true coconut water from dried coconut. Dried coconut lacks the liquid found in fresh coconuts. However, you can make a coconut milk or cream that's similar in taste and texture. This process involves hydrating and blending dried coconut with water.
Making Coconut Milk from Dried Coconut
Here's how to make coconut milk using dried shredded coconut:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup dried, shredded coconut (desiccated coconut works well)
- 1 cup water (hot water is recommended for quicker hydration)
Instructions:
- Hydration: If using a plastic blender, soak the coconut in hot water in a glass or metal bowl for about 10 minutes. This step is recommended to prevent damaging your blender. If using a glass pitcher blender, you can skip this step and combine ingredients directly.
- Blending: Place the hydrated (or unhydrated) coconut and water into a blender. Blend for a couple of minutes until a smooth mixture forms.
- Straining: Pour the blended mixture into a cloth-lined sieve placed over a bowl. This separates the coconut milk from the coconut pulp. The liquid you collect is your coconut milk.
Tips & Variations:
- Water Temperature: Using hot water helps hydrate the coconut faster. However, make sure the water isn't boiling.
- Blender Type: A high-powered blender may produce a smoother, creamier milk.
- Ratio Adjustment: Adjust the ratio of coconut to water to achieve your desired consistency. More coconut will result in thicker milk, while more water creates a thinner consistency. Some recipes suggest using up to 2 cups of water per cup of coconut.
- Simmering: Some methods suggest simmering the mixture after blending to enhance flavor and extract more coconut oil.
This process creates coconut milk, not coconut water. True coconut water is the naturally occurring liquid found inside a fresh coconut.
