[2][3][4] It typically has a chewy, soft and mildly grainy texture;[5][4] some versions are semi-hard.
[2] Coconut ice is also available in South Africa,[6] some areas of Australia,[7] and New Zealand.
[2][4] Early versions using sugar syrup had a short shelf life, sometimes dried out and became excessively grainy in texture, and sometimes fermented.
[2] The origin of use of the word "ice" in the confectionery's name is not known, but it may have derived from its general appearance and colouration.
[4] An Australian recipe for "cocoanut ice" [sic] included the ingredient copha, an Australian form of vegetable fat shortening made from hydrogenated coconut oil also referred to as "white cloud".