Grated coconut (fresh, frozen, desiccated)

तेंगिनकायि / thengai · desiccated coconut

Flavor and role

Finely grated coconut flesh. Fresh or frozen is moist and mildly sweet; desiccated is nuttier and keeps longer.

Typical dishes and uses

Coconut chutney for idli and dosa, lamingtons, coconut cookies, South Indian curries

Substitutes

100g fresh coconut = 60g desiccated coconut soaked for 10 minutes in 3–4 tbsp warm water.

Storage

Fresh grated coconut 2–3 days in the fridge, 3–6 months frozen. Desiccated coconut sealed 6 months at room temperature, 1 year in the fridge.

Main countries

India · Sri Lanka · Indonesia

Used in this book

Idli with Coconut ChutneyAlfajores de MaicenaAnzac BiscuitsLamingtonsNanaimo BarsBeef rendangBanana Dulce de Leche Alfajor Parfait CupsBrown Butter and Sea Salt Anzac BiscuitsWhite Miso and Black Sesame Anzac BiscuitsAnzac Ice-Cream SandwichesTiffin-House Idli with Fresh-Roasted SambarPodi Idli Fries with Coconut Yogurt DipRaspberry Jam and Cream LamingtonsMatcha White Chocolate LamingtonsLamington French ToastCrispy Coconut Sticky Rice Cakes with Mango-Lime SalsaCrispy Dosa Chaat BowlBrown Butter Nanaimo Bars with Dark Chocolate GanacheTiramisu Nanaimo Bars with Espresso Mascarpone CreamNanaimo Thumbprint Truffle BitesCoconut Panna Cotta with Lime MangoPandan Coconut Pastéis de NataMango Coconut Lime PavlovaPandan-Coconut Poffertjes with Palm Sugar SyrupPadang-style dry rendangRendang beef tacosCrispy rendang wingsSri Lankan Black Chicken Curry with Toasted CoconutSri Lankan Curry Chicken Cheese Toastie with Pol SambolTom Kha Creamy Chicken Rice Bowl

Updated 2026-10-10