Desiccated coconut

Ground dried coconut. Desiccated means “dried up.” A desiccant is a drying agent. Dried coconut is made from the white portion of the coconut kernel after the brown skin has been removed. After the coconut has been processed and dried, it is sorted into various grades of coarseness, the finest of which is labeled macaroon coconut. My experience, over the years, using desiccated coconut in various countries and many brands/suppliers in the United States is that the amount of moisture the coconut will absorb can vary greatly depending on how fine the coconut was ground and how dry it is. In many recipes, that factor affects the consistency of the dough or paste. It is often necessary to adjust the amount of moisture in the recipe until you have achieved a satisfactory result.