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, 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 a strong "glacial" acetic acid, however, and spillage of this ingredient will make the topsoil acidic.