Processing Steps for Coconut Slices
Coconuts belong to tropical crops and primarily grow in hot, rainy, low-altitude, and humid regions. Coconuts have high economic value, as every part of the plant can be utilized. The coconut flesh is edible, coconut water can be enjoyed as a refreshing beverage, mature coconut meat can be used for oil extraction, coconut shells can be processed into handicrafts, the trunk can be used as construction material, and the shell fibers can be used for making brushes, ropes, and more. Coconut slices can be processed through baking or candying, both methods retaining the unique sweet fragrance of coconuts. In addition, coconuts are also highly nutritious. Let’s explore further.
Traditionally, coconut slices are processed using natural drying methods, although cost-effective in terms of machinery, require substantial manual labor. Manual flipping is often required, and the drying time is long, susceptible to weather conditions. Rainy or cloudy days may cause the coconut slices to become moldy. Moreover, outdoor drying or air-drying exposes the slices to dust, making it difficult to ensure their hygiene. Therefore, a new processing method is urgently needed for coconut production. The Jinlu Coconut Slice Heat Pump Dryer offers high energy efficiency, all-weather intelligent drying, unaffected by weather conditions, fully enclosed processing, and ensures good quality, pollution-free, and hygienic coconut slices.
Now, let’s introduce the processing steps for coconut slices. To make candied coconut slices, fresh and ripe coconuts are needed, along with white sugar or other flavored sweet sauces. Start by harvesting fresh, ripe coconuts and removing the outer shell. Take out the coconut flesh and wash it with clean water. Slice the washed coconut flesh into thin pieces and mix it with white sugar until well-blended. Put the mixture into a pan and stir with water until the white sugar melts completely. Continue stirring until the water in the pan evaporates. Place the initially processed coconut slices on the material tray, arranging them evenly. Control the temperature inside the drying chamber between 45-60 degrees Celsius, ensuring continuous dehumidification. Gradually increase the temperature until the moisture content of the coconut slices reaches 8% or below, indicating the completion of the drying process.