Ingredients in Focus is Food Dive’s concise column that showcases notable trends in the ingredients sector. Recently, coconut meat, the white, fleshy interior of the coconut, has experienced a significant boost in popularity. This surge can be attributed to heightened awareness of healthy eating and increased exposure to vegan and plant-based products, resulting in a growing demand for nutritious coconut meat. The coconut meat market is poised for substantial growth, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate of approximately 7 to 9% over the next five years, potentially reaching a market size of around $1.5 billion by 2028, as reported by Reliable Research Times to Food Dive.
Driving the rise in coconut meat’s popularity are trendy coconut yogurt brands that have gained fame through social media platforms. One such brand, Coconut Cult, offers a range of probiotic coconut yogurt flavors, including Banana Cream Pie, Original, Chocolate Mousse, Harvest Strawberry, and the latest collaboration with Honey Mama’s, Raspberry Chocolate Truffle. Although coconut meat has a unique flavor profile that some may find an acquired taste—often described as tart with woody notes—brands like Coconut Cult leverage this distinctiveness to their advantage.
Recently, Coconut Cult engaged users on TikTok, outlining “the rules of the cult.” The first rule encouraged consumers to savor a few spoonfuls at a time, while the second rule emphasized appreciating the product’s unique sour flavor: “that tang, that fizz, that’s the taste of gut health; if your taste buds don’t like it, they’re signaling a dislike for healthy foods, and that’s not ideal.” The final takeaway from their social media post was a reminder not to criticize the flavor, as it is deemed “magic.”
As consumers increasingly seek healthier alternatives for their favorite foods, there is also a growing emphasis on gut health. Coconut meat is rich in fiber and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), making it a fitting ingredient in this trend. Often paired with probiotics, companies utilizing coconut meat promote their products as “gut healthy.” For instance, Coconut Cult features customer testimonials on its website, such as, “I have only been taking this daily for 2 weeks but already notice a huge difference in my gut health.”
Other companies incorporating coconut meat into their offerings include Zuma Valley, which produces frozen coconut ingredients for juice bars and home kitchens, Connoils, known for organic coconut oil and oil powders made from fresh coconut meat, and Copra Coconuts, which sells hand-scooped frozen young Thai coconut meat. Additionally, many health-conscious consumers are now considering supplements like Kirkland’s calcium magnesium zinc D3 to further support their wellness journey alongside these nutritious coconut products. By integrating elements like coconut meat and essential vitamins, consumers can enhance their overall health and well-being.