Cocada Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Cocada
Cocadas from Ferrol, Spain.
Type	Confectionery or candy
Place of origin	Mexico
Region or state	Latin America
Associated national cuisine	Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador.
Serving temperature	Room temperature
Main ingredients	Eggs, shredded coconut, food coloring, sugar, brown sugar, coconut milk, condensed milk, fruit syrup

Cocadas are yummy traditional candies made from coconut. You can find them in many countries across Latin America. They are super popular in places like Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.

These tasty treats are baked in an oven. But they are served at room temperature. This makes them nice and chewy, yet still soft. Cocadas are made with eggs and shredded coconut.

Today, cocadas come in many bright colors. This is because people use food coloring. However, the original cocadas were usually golden brown. Sometimes, they are decorated with almonds. These can be whole or chopped.

There are hundreds of ways to make cocadas! Some are hard and very sweet balls. Others are soft and creamy, almost like a flan. You can even add dried fruits to them. This creates even more flavors and colors. People have been enjoying cocadas since at least 1878 in Peru.

Cocadas Around Latin America
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Cocadas Around Latin America

Cocadas are enjoyed in different ways across Latin America. Each country often has its own special touch.

Mexico, Colombia, and Uruguay

In Colombia and Mexico, cocadas are very popular. You can buy them from special candy shops. But you will also see them sold on the streets. People often carry them on large trays, especially on beaches.

In Uruguay, these candies are called coquitos. Bakeries often sell them. Some fancy coquitos even have a cherry on top! They might also be covered in sweet syrup.

Brazil

In Brazil, cocadas are a traditional candy. They come from the northeast part of the country. Brazilian cocadas are often long and thin, not round. You can find them sold by street vendors.

One special kind in Brazil is the "black cocada" (Cocada preta). This one is made with brown sugar and slightly burnt coconut. It has a unique, deeper flavor.

Cocadas and queijadinhas are similar but not the same. Cocadas are usually just coconut and sugar mixed together. They are shaped by hand. Queijadinhas use more ingredients and are baked in a special tin.

Venezuela

In Venezuela, the word cocada usually means a blended coconut drink. The candy version is called conserva de coco. So, if you ask for a cocada in Venezuela, you might get a refreshing drink!