parutan

Parutan is a kitchen utensil used to grate or shred food into fine or coarse strands. The term is common in Indonesian and Malay, where parutan kelapa refers specifically to a coconut grater used to extract grated coconut flesh. Beyond coconut, parutan can describe various handheld graters designed to shred vegetables, cheese, ginger, garlic, and other ingredients.

Design and variations commonly found under the generic label parutan include:

- Simple handheld graters with sharp perforations or blades for general scraping and shredding.

- Box or flat graters made of metal or plastic, suitable for grating a range of foods and producing uniform shreds.

- Traditional coconut graters, which may be wooden or metal and used to rub the flesh of a coconut against teeth or ridges to produce fine coconut strands.

Usage and culinary role:

Parutan is widely used in Southeast Asian cuisines to prepare ingredients for coconut milk, curries, desserts, and fried dishes. Grated coconut is a base or flavoring component in many recipes, and the tool is valued for its ability to produce different textures depending on the grating method and pressure applied.

Maintenance and safety:

Most parutan parts are either metal or plastic and require thorough cleaning after use. Dry completely to prevent rust (for metal versions) and avoid abrasive cleaning that could dull blades. Keep sharp edges protected when stored. Use a stable surface and, when handling hard or tough ingredients, apply steady pressure to reduce the risk of slips or cuts.

See also: grater, kitchen utensil, coconut milk.