Nata de coco

Nata de coco is a chewy, translucent, jelly-like food product produced by the bacterial fermentation of coconut water. Nata de coco is most commonly sweetened as a candy or dessert, and can accompany many things including pickles, drinks, ice cream, puddings and fruit mixes. The product originates from the Philippines.

Etymology
"Nata de coco" comes from Spanish "Cream of Coconut". Cream in this sense means the fat from the coconut milk. The Spanish name is a result of Spain's colonization of the Philippines.

Nutrition
Nata de coco is highly regarded for its high dietary fiber, and its zero fat and cholesterol content. No preservatives or other chemicals are added to Nata de coco.

Production
The primarily coconut water dessert is produced through a series of steps ranging from water extraction, mixing, fermentation, separating, cleaning, cutting to packaging. Commercial nata de coco is made by small farmers in the Philippines. It requires glacial acetic acid, however, and spillage of this ingredient will make the topsoil acidic.

The nutritional values of coconut products vary according to the different stages of development. The mature coconut is a good source of iron and potassium. Approximately 86% of the calories in coconuts are from fat, most of which is saturated fat.

Young Coconut Hearts: High in calcium and phosphorus and low in fat.

Nutrients Unit Thai RDI* Composition of coconut products
 * N (c) 2 (11) 3
 * Ash 0.5 g  88.5
 * Moisture (Water) 84.4 g 45
 * Energy 61 kcal (255 kJ)  2.0
 * Protein 50 g** 0.7
 * Fat 65 g** 7.6
 * Total available carbohydrates include FIBTG 300 g** -
 * Dietary 25 g  1.2
 * Calcium (Ca) Milligram 800 58
 * Phosphorus (P) 800 mg 53
 * Iron (Fe) 15 mg -
 * Sodium (Na) 2400 mg -
 * Potassium (K) 3500 mg -
 * Copper (Cu) 2 mg -
 * Zinc (Zn) 15 mg -
 * Vitamin A (Retinol) 0 µg
 * ß-Carotene 2031 µg
 * Total vitamin A (Retinol- Equivalent, RE) 800 µg 339
 * Vitamin B1 (ThiA) 1.5 mg -
 * Vitamin B2 (Ribf) 1.7 mg -
 * Niacin  20 mg**  -
 * Vitamin C 60 mg -
 * * Percentage of the recommended daily intake in Thailand is based upon a 2,000 kcal (8.37 MJ) diet.
 * ** % Energy distribution from protein, total fat and carbohydrate = 10:30:60, total saturated

fat = 10% of total energy. Source: Thai Food Composition Tables (1999), Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University (INMU).