Coconut cream

Nutritionists have finally brought the idea of ​​replacing cow’s milk and dairy products with plant-based ones to the public. Lactose-free yogurts, soy milk and coconut cream have appeared on the shelves of regular stores. Let’s take a closer look at coconut cream. How do they differ from the usual ones, what do they taste like and how to use the ingredient in your favorite recipes?

General characteristics

Cream is extracted from nuts that grow on coconut trees. Palm is a plant from the Palm family, which is the only species of the genus Cocos.

An interesting fact: the scientific name of the genus comes from the Portuguese term “coco” (translated – monkey). The name is given because of the specific spots on the nut, which make it look like a monkey’s face.

Malaysia is considered the birthplace of the coconut palm, but scientists cannot pinpoint the primary place of development of the plant and prefer to limit the answer to Southeast Asia. In today’s climate, the palm grows in the tropics of both hemispheres. Interestingly, the plant develops both in a cultivated and wild form. The expansion of the range of coconut palms was carried out by mankind and partly by nature itself. While a person was growing a plant, nuts fell from palm trees, fell into waterways and spread to different parts of the planet. The water resistance of the nut has preserved its viability, therefore coconut trees have been growing along the known ocean currents since ancient times.

Man has learned to extract milk from nut fruits. Cream was formed from the fattest vegetable milk or simply solidified under the influence of low temperatures. There is practically no difference between coconut milk and cream – this is the same substance that differs in structure.

The cost of coconut milk in stores is quite high. To save more than 50% of the cost, use a small life hack. Purchase coconut cream and simply dilute it with water. From 100 grams of cream you get 2 times more liquid, which will significantly save costs ^[1].

Useful properties of the product

Coconut cream restores the muscle corset, stimulates energy production and creates an antimicrobial barrier that protects the body from infections. Regular consumption of coconut reduces the risk of developing heart / vascular disease and oncological pathologies by more than 15%. The protective properties of the product are caused by the composition: fatty acids affect not only the external beauty of a person, but also internal health.

Imperceptible weight loss

The main feature of the ingredient is considered to be instant processing into energy. The product is not deposited in the body as a protective layer of fat, but immediately creates an energy cushion for the work of the body and internal organs. Coconut improves digestion, promotes high-quality long-term satiety and restarts metabolic processes with renewed vigor. The result in the form of a few extra pounds and centimeters will appear after a few weeks (the effect is achieved under the condition of clean nutrition).

Coconut harmonizes the intestinal microflora and does not create additional stress on the abdominal organs in the process of absorption.

The way to quit refined sugar

Switching to proper nutrition can be quite painful. If you can’t imagine life without sweet snacks, chocolate and cookies, but are mentally ready to start fighting for your own health, use coconut cream. This is a healthy alternative to refined sugar that not only satisfies the taste buds, but also benefits the body.

If the sweetness of the cream is not enough, add a drop of honey or maple syrup to them. You can sweeten absolutely everything with coconut cream – sweets, pastries, morning oatmeal, sauces, desserts, drinks and even first courses.

The natural sugar content in coconut is minimal, so there is no need to worry about disproportionate substitution. Moreover, the food product goes well with spices and other fruits. After a few days, the blood glucose level stabilizes, and the body will begin to function better due to the lack of stress on the internal organs. ^[2].

How to choose the right product

Remember 4 basic rules for choosing coconut and its derivatives:

• the product must be organic;
• butter is sold only in transparent glass packaging, cream – in closed sealed containers;
• give preference to cold-pressed oil and products made from it. After cold pressing, the cream retains the maximum concentration of vitamins and nutrients;
• the shelf life of the product should not exceed 6 months for food use and 12 months for external use.

The chemical composition of the component

Use in cooking

The component has a special bright taste and a denser texture. Coconut cream is especially fond of Europeans – there the product is used on a par with coconut milk. Europeans call the ingredient “Asian cream” and add it to desserts, pastries, sauces for fish and meat.

Hazelnut cream is the perfect base for thick sauces. Its structure provides the right consistency, regardless of additional ingredients, and the taste goes well with almost all foods. Cream is also used in alcoholic beverages. They are lightly diluted with water (regular / fruit) or alcohol to make it easier to absorb the liquid.

The most popular coconut cream was in soups. They are used for both sweet and spicy Asian variations. Creamy creamy soup is present in almost every culinary tradition and is one of the gastronomic must-sees.

To save on buying coconut cream, use regular coconut milk or a whole coconut. Nut liquid should simply be left in the refrigerator overnight in a tightly closed container. By morning, the cream will separate from the water on its own and rise to the surface. Just scoop up the dense, formed mass with a spoon and use in the kitchen.

Recipe for vegan “bounties”

Recipe comment: The composition of the Bounty bar from the nearest grocery store is terrifying. This is the case when the gastronomic pleasure exceeds the nutritional value. Only taste buds get their portion of sweetness. The organs of the abdominal cavity, heart, brain suffer from the amount of food garbage eaten. Below we offer a recipe for a bar with an ideal composition and taste as close as possible to the original.

We need:

• coconut chips – 200 g;
• coconut cream / coconut milk – 50 g / 1 can;
• sweetener to taste;
• dark chocolate without fillers – 200 g.

Preparation

If you use coconut milk, then cooking will have to be postponed for 7-10 hours. Leave the jar in the refrigerator for 1 night. In the morning you will see that two substances have formed in the jar: dense, creamy (cream) and transparent, liquid (water). Collect the cream to make the bar and the coconut water is drinkable or use in another recipe.

In a handy bowl, combine the coconut cream, shavings, and sweetener. Send the sweet mass to the refrigerator for 20-40 minutes. Take out the frozen mass and mold it into bars / cookies of any shape that you like. Melt dark chocolate in a bain-marie and pour over the coconut shells. Place the bars in the freezer for 5-10 minutes until the chocolate is completely set.

The use of the ingredient in cosmetology

The ingredient is used not only in cooking, but also in the cosmetic industry. It is also great for home beauty rituals that can be done daily. For convenience and maximum efficiency, it is recommended to dilute the cream to a liquid state. Slightly heat them in a container or simply rub them in warm palms, and then proceed to apply to the body / hair.

Hair Mask

Blend/heat cream until liquid, then apply to damp, clean curls. Trichologists do not recommend applying the coconut component to the hair roots. The cream can clog pores, cause itching, redness and deterioration of the hair. Among the possible side effects is excessive oiliness of the scalp, which is difficult to get rid of. Apply the component to the hair, starting from the ears and to the tips. Leave the ingredient on for 20+ minutes, then rinse with warm water and shampoo.

Organic shampoos may not be able to handle excessively oily ingredients, so it is recommended to wash your hair several times or use a shampoo with active inorganic ingredients in the composition.

Makeup remover for face and eyes

1 teaspoon of cream can replace an expensive cleansing treatment for the skin of the face and around the eyes. The component cleanses the dermis from dirt, accumulated dust and makeup residues. Rub a dense mixture along the massage lines to not only cleanse, but also tone the skin.

Make your own coconut cleansing wipes. Melt half a teaspoon of cream on cotton pads, fold them in an even layer and send them to a convenient container. Sponges will be saturated with a moisturizing component and after 6-10 hours they will be ready for use.

An all-in-one moisturizer for body/lips/legs/cuticles

Everything is simple here – apply melted cream to any part of the body that needs nutrition and hydration. Beauticians recommend applying the product immediately after a shower, when the skin has not yet had time to dry. Wet dermis will absorb the cream faster and provide the desired effect.

Natural scrub

Mix cream with any abrasive component that you like: sugar, sea salt. Such a scrub will not only help exfoliate dead skin particles, but also moisturize healthy skin. The product can be used both for the rough skin of the elbows/legs and for the lips/face. Scrub thoroughly all over your body. Do not press the abrasive mixture directly into the skin – this provokes pain, rash and itching.

Herbal highlighter

Radiant skin is an indicator of the health of its owner. If your day did not work out, or nature rewarded you with a dull complexion – do not despair. To add an inner glow, use a highlighter based on coconut cream. Just a few drops of nut mass on the cheekbones will radically change your image and self-awareness. Such a highlighter will definitely not clog pores and will not roll off at the most inopportune moment.

Contraindications to use

The list of cream contraindications is identical for all derivative products from coconut. Temporarily cut out foods for diarrhea and any stage of obesity. Direct contraindication – individual intolerance to the product. To find out about allergies to certain foods, consult a doctor or track the body’s reaction to a particular component on your own.

Doctors do not recommend eating coconut if you have an overactive thyroid. Enzymes that are concentrated in the nut can exacerbate imbalances and affect organ function ^[3].

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