How to Open a Fresh Vegan Coconut

Fig.1 Unwashed coconut

By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Butter knife (standard blade)
Hammer
Metal Nail Setter
Soap 
Strainer-cup
Water

Mrs. Escarole purchased several new fresh coconuts with the outer skin removed. Shaking the coconut will give you a sense that there's plenty of coconut milk inside the shell.

This post shows nine steps on how to open a fresh coconut.

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is the name given to the fruit from the coconut palm tree. Coconuts have three layers, a brown fibrous husk, inner and inside white edible “meat” and coconut water. The white meat portion is used in either fresh or dried forms. The coconut palm can grow to 30 m (98 ft) in height with large branches and can provide 50-fruit per year. According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, botanically the coconut fruit is a drupe. For more information about the Coconut Palm tree please click here. Coconut history was presented by wanttoknowit.com.

Step 1: Fig.1 shows the unwashed vegan coconut. Fig.2 shows the washing the exterior of the coconut with soap and water, rinse well with water to remove any soap film. Fig.3 shows the coconut drying on a towel. 

Fig.2 Washing 
coconut

Fig.3 Drying coconut

Step 2: Fig.4 shows a claw hammer and a metal nail set with a pointed end.

Fig.4 Hammer/nail setter

Step 3: Fig.5 shows the nail set has punctured the hard shell were the coconut water is contained.

Fig.5 Nail Setter

Step 4: Towards the top of the coconut are slightly colored holes that allow a tool to enter without losing any coconut water. Fig.6 shows the top of the coconut and one hole punctured with the nail setter and an additional hole, the breather hole to help drain the coconut water.

Fig.6 Second hole

Step 5: Fig.7 shows three holes that will aid in removing the coconut water.

Fig.7 Breather hole

Step 6: Fig.8 and fig.9 shows the removal of water. Shake the coconut just a little to get the coconut water out of the shell. It takes a few shakes while one hole allows the air to get into the shell and the other two holes allow the water to escape its furry cage.

Fig.8 Delicious Vegan
Coconut Water 
out

Fig.9 
Bowl is filling up

Step 7: As the coconut is shaken some of the furry edges may fall into the coconut water. A strainer will be needed to remove any particles from the coconut water. Fig.10 shows glass bowl full of wonderful clean coconut water. Now take a small strainer and slowly pour the contents from the bowl into a cup. Once strained add some ice and drink it. It's wonderful and not full of chemicals like those carbonated drinks. Do not over drink coconut water, it's a natural cathartic.

 

Fig.10 
Coconut water

Step 8: Fig.11 and fig.12 shows the coconut is delicious white meat. A coconut with the brown and white meat. Break apart the white meat from the hard shell. This will take a little time, it seems like the white meat is firmly attached to the shell. It's delicious and can be used in cooking and cocktail drinks.

Fig.11 
Vegan Coconut cut in half

Fig.12 
Vegan Half coconut

Step 9: Fig.13 and fig.16 shows another way is to get the coconut water is from a can.  

Fig.13 Canned 
coconut water

Fig.14 top of 
coconut water

Fig.15 
Nutritional facts

Fig.16 

Coconut location

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