Nata de coco is a chewy, translucent, traditional Philippine dessert which is a coconut gel-product made from the 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.
Nata de coco consists of 67.7 % water, 0.2 % fat, 12 mg calcium, 5 mg iron, 2 mg phosphorus and small amounts of vitamin B1, protein and only 0.01 mg of riboflavin per 100g.
Because it’s mainly water and cellulose (fibre) this product is safe to be eaten by anyone. It’s low in calories and can be considered an ideal addition to your diet if trying to lose or manage your weight. Because of the high fibre content, it’s also good for digestion and has a cholesterol lowering effect.
When packaged as a retail product, the main energy (calories) is added in syrups or flavourings. Therefore, to keep it really low calories, simply mix with fresh fruit or use low calorie / sugar free flavourings.
