Blogger Spotlight Liz Schau: Coconut flour for gluten-free cooking and baking

Coconut flour is coconut product that is made from the flesh of the fruit — dried and ground to form a fine flour. It is high in protein, low-carbohydrate, and contains fiber as well as other essential vitamins and minerals our bodies require. Coconut flour is also very low on the glycemic index. This means that it won’t spike blood sugar, contribute to weight gain, or leave you feeling fatigued after eating. For this reason, coconut flour is a very healthful alternative to use in your gluten-free cooking and baking, as opposed to other grain-based GF flours. Also, since coconut contains good fats, the flour will keep you feeling full without a drop in energy afterward, that some high-carb foods tend to cause.
Coconut flour is typically utilized in baking and cooking in the form of cakes, cookies, pancakes, scones, biscuits, crackers, crepes, muffins, brownies, and crusts, to name a few. It also serves as a great replacement for traditional white or wheat flour for breading, bread crumbs, or as a thickener in soups and stews. The possibilities are endless.
Tropical Traditions is a great place to find coconut flour. The company is what would be considered “beyond organic”: they place the health of the consumer and the health of employee and harvesters as top priority. Tropical Traditions organic coconut products are high quality and tasty. Though, I have also found coconut flour at my local Whole Foods, and independent health food store.
If you’re in search of recipes, I happen to be a big fan of Elana’s Pantry — a gluten-free recipe website. She uses coconut flour often in her baking. Also, a list of recipes can be found right on the Tropical Traditions website.
Happy baking!