Yes, coconut flour is completely gluten-free, paleo, and good for a keto diet. Coconut is a very special plant and is sometimes called "the tree of life" as all of its parts can be used for something (musical instruments, food, etc.)!
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What Is Coconut Flour?
Coconut flour is coconut meat ground into fine flour. Coconut flour is different from desiccated coconut. Desiccated coconut has bigger particles than coconut flour thus they can't be used interchangeably! Coconut flour absorbs a lot of liquids so when you substitute it in recipes you need to either reduce the amount of flour or increase the amount of liquids.
How Is Coconut Flour Made?
Dried coconut meat that is left after making coconut milk is ground in fine flour to produce coconut flour for baking. So, it doesn't have any additives which makes it suitable for a gluten-free diet. While some people say coconut is a nut and some say it is a fruit, you should be careful if you are allergic to nuts. Some people with nut allergies are sensitive to coconut while others are not! It is best you speak with your doctor about eating coconut if you have a concern.
Is It Gluten-Free?
Yes, coconut flour is gluten-free!
Is Coconut Flour Keto?
Coconut flour is one of the most popular flours for keto! Check this article on keto flours with recipes for more information.
What Is It Used For?
Coconut flour is used to make desserts most of the time. Coconut flour also works great as a thickener although it does bring a coconut flavor with it. You should never substitute coconut flour for any other flour 1:1 as coconut flour is extremely absorbent and will leave you with a super dense end product unless you adjust the recipe ingredients! I recommend using recipes that are specifically designed for coconut flour.
Is It Good to Eat Raw?
Yes, you can eat raw coconut flour. Coconut flour is made out of coconut flesh and coconuts are safe to eat raw!
Is It Better than Almond Flour?
Coconut flour is similar to almond flour in many ways, yet, it is different in some. I can't say whether coconut or almond flour is better overall but it could be better for certain types of recipes. Check out this coconut vs. almond flour comparison for more details!
Is Coconut Flour High In Oxalates?
Coconut flour, unlike almond flour, is actually pretty low in oxalates and is a great option for you if you are on a low-oxalate diet.
Are you considering to start using coconut flour in your baking? Check out this coconut flour recipe collection to get you started!
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