Traditional Brazilian sweets (cocada)
Cocada is a traditional Brazilian coconut candy, typically made from shredded coconut, sugar, and condensed milk or coconut milk. It's a beloved sweet found throughout Brazil, often sold at street fairs, festivals, and in local bakeries, with regional variations in texture from soft and chewy to hard and crunchy.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Cocada is very high in carbohydrates and sugar, with a significant amount of saturated fat from coconut and condensed milk. A typical serving provides a quick energy boost but is low in protein and essential vitamins, with a rough calorie range of 150-250 kcal per piece.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 200 kcal |
| Protein | 1.5 g |
| Carbs | 30 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 25 g |
| Sodium | 30 mg |
| Manganese | 0.5 mg |
| Iron | 0.8 mg |
| Copper | 0.1 mg |
| Selenium | 2 µg |
| Phosphorus | 30 mg |
| Magnesium | 10 mg |
| Zinc | 0.3 mg |
| Potassium | 80 mg |
Per 1 piece (50 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Cocada's cultural significance is tied to Brazilian festivities like Festa Junina, where it's a staple sweet. Nutritionally, while high in calories, coconut provides some dietary fiber and minerals like manganese, though it's primarily enjoyed as an occasional treat.
