Copha

Other Names:kremelta

What is Copha?

Copha is vegetable shortening made of solidified coconut oil. It is a highly saturated, hydrogenated fat produced in Australia by the Peerless foods company. The product was developed back in 1933 and became popular for use in their recipe for Chocolate Crackles. Chocolate Crackles are a refrigerated treat similar to Rice Crispy Treats in the U.S. but use Copha in place of margarine or butter plus they include cocoa powder and shredded coconut. The same product is also distributed in New Zealand branded as Kremelta.

Given hydrogenated fats have fallen out of favor due to their ability to adversely affect triglyceride levels you should review our list of substitutes to find a suitable alternative.

Substitute for Copha

For general substitutions for Copha you can use one of the following alternatives:

For baked goods you can substitute another vegetable shortening such as Crisco. (Not for Chocolate Crackles, see FAQ below.
For better browning you can replace 50% of the Copha called for in the recipe with butter and 50% with vegetable shortening OR coconut oil.
Lard is no long considered to be a health outcast. Use lard in any savory baked goods.

Cooking Fats

What Is Copha Used For

The product is used primarily for baking cookies, biscuits and other desserts just as one would use other vegetable shortenings such as Crisco. While infrequently used in the US it is quite popular in Australia. Hydrogenated fats made with coconut oil do provide more flavor than some other bland vegetable shortenings.

The Copha website has an interesting page where you can view PDF versions of their old recipe books as far back as the 1950's.

FAQ's:

What Can I Substitute For Copha In Chocolate Crackles?

If you are outside of Australia your best, most similar substitute would be pure coconut oil (which is solid when chilled). Copha is 99% pure coconut oil.
OR - You could use equal amounts of butter which should be at room temperature when making the recipe.

Does Copha Make Foods Taste Like Coconut?

Just like coconut oil; once the product is added to food there is next to no coconut flavor.

Where Can I Buy Copha In The U.S.?

You can purchase Copha here in the U.S. from AussieProducts.com. They are located in the San Francisco Bay Area so if you are in the area you can pick it up at their store located at 3828 Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose, CA. Or telephone them at: (888) 422-9259.

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