Dried Coconut Processing Plant & Machinery Solutions

Nuts are dehusked and the shell is broken away so that whole kernel halves are released without cracking. Kernel is kept in one piece at this stage because the cut size is set later to suit the pack.

The brown testa is pared off and the white kernel is cut into cubes, chips or pieces according to the order. Cutting to a consistent piece size keeps the pieces drying at the same rate later in the line.

Cut pieces are washed to remove loose fines and then blanched to reduce surface microbial load. Pieces are cooled and surface water is drained before they enter the dryer.

Pieces are dried on trays or in a batch hot-air dryer until they are firm and stable for storage. Moisture is checked on the dried pieces before the batch is released for sorting.

Dried pieces are graded by size and sorted by colour so that scorched, discoloured or shell-marked pieces are removed. Fines and broken pieces are screened off and sold as a separate grade.

Graded pieces are weighed into pouches or cartons, with nitrogen flushing used where a longer shelf life is required. Packs pass metal inspection and are cartoned for retail or bulk despatch.