Both flaked and shredded coconut are processed coconut meat but their appearance is quite different due to the way they are cut. Flaked coconut is shaved into larger flat pieces that look similar to corn flakes. Shredded coconut looks more like shredded cheese; the pieces are thin and more stringy. Both types are dried before packaging and will keep for four to six months at room temperature. Flaked coconut and shredded coconut usually are not interchangeable in recipes.