How To Open A Coconut

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE:
Most methods of opening a coconut require using a large cleaver or sharp knife. Use common sense and be careful.

If you're scared of using a big cleaver or knife: I have a method of opening a coconut using scissors or a screwdriver and a brick or heavy rock. My step-by-step instructions are at the bottom of this page.

How to open a young coconut
(often called a Thai Coconut,
the white kind with soft inner meat):

How to open a coconut
(the hard, brown, kind)

With a little practice it's pretty easy to become a pro at opening a coconut. Fresh coconut meat and coconut water are so delicious and nutritious,
it's worth the effort.

If you're scared of using a big cleaver
or knife:

How to open a coconut using scissors or a screwdriver and a brick or heavy rock:

- a coconut (the hard, brown kind)

- large scissors or screwdriver

- a fine mesh strainer

- 2 cups or bowls

- a brick or similar sized stone or equally heavy, non-breakable object

- a hard surface such as a cement floor

- a bag which you don’t mind getting a little dirty (washable canvas shopping bags are an environmentally friendly option, or keep some extra paper or plastic bags around)

Okay, ready? Here we go.

1) Use the scissor or screwdriver to carve holes into two of the eyes of the coconut. Two are usually penetrable, and one is totally solid.

2) Drain the coconut water into the first cup or bowl. Use the strainer over the second bowl and pour the coconut water through to strain out debris. Drink it fresh!

4) Separate the coconut meat from the hard outer shell (sometimes it separates easily, or you can use a small knife with a flexible blade to help wedge them apart).

5) Peel the thin brown skin off the white part of the coconut (optional, but I recommend taking the extra time to do it, it can start to discolor the lovely white coconut meat if you plan to store some of it for a couple of days in the fridge).

5) Rinse the coconut and enjoy.

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