How to Open a Coconut

Here, how to crack a mature coconut and how to open and drink from a young one.

February 18, 2022

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How to Crack a Coconut
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By Fraya Berg for Food Network Kitchen

Fraya is a chef and a contributing writer at Food Network.

Coconuts might seem impenetrable, but that hard outer husk conceals a delicious sweet meat that's packed with healthy fat and minerals. With a little work, you can enjoy the benefits of this superfood. Follow our tips to get to the prize inside.

How to Choose a Coconut

If you're buying a coconut for the meat, opt a mature coconut, which will have a hard shell covered in brown hairy fibers.

On the other hand, a young coconut will have lots of coconut water inside. Young coconuts are typically sold peeled and wrapped in plastic.

Either way, here are some tips for buying a high-quality coconut. First, pick up the coconut. It should feel heavy for its size. Shake the coconut: you should hear some water sloshing around, both mature and ripe coconuts should have some water inside. Avoid any coconuts with cracks, mold or wet exteriors.

Photo taken in Famagusta, Cyprus

1152589455

Photo taken in Famagusta, Cyprus

Photo by: Deniz Denizer / EyeEm/Getty Images

Deniz Denizer / EyeEm/Getty Images

How to Open a Mature Coconut

Tools to Open a Coconut

Wash all tools in hot, soapy water before using.

  • Cutting board
  • Screwdriver or metal barbecue skewer
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Mallet or hammer
Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

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Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

Photo by: Kang Kim ©2012, Kang Kim

Kang Kim, 2012, Kang Kim

Poke the "Eyes" of the Coconut

Poke the three eyes with a skewer to find the one that's soft. Push the skewer through the soft eye, working it in to create a 1/2-inch hole. If necessary, use the hammer to force the screwdriver through.

Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

KK_12_0319_FNM_378.tif

Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

Photo by: Kang Kim ©2012, Kang Kim

Kang Kim, 2012, Kang Kim

Drain the Water

Invert the coconut over a measuring cup or bowl and shake to release the liquid. That’s fresh coconut water! Drink it, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

KK_12_0319_FNM_387.tif

Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

Photo by: Kang Kim ©2012, Kang Kim

Kang Kim, 2012, Kang Kim

Crack the Coconut

Hold a folded kitchen towel in your hand and nestle the coconut into it. Firmly tap the equartor with a meat mallet or hammer, turning as needed, until the shell starts cracking in half.

Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

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Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

Photo by: Kang Kim ©2012, Kang Kim

Kang Kim , 2012, Kang Kim

Loosen the Flesh

Split the shell, then put the coconut cut side down on a flat surface. Tap with the mallet to loosen the flesh.

Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

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Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

Photo by: Kang Kim ©2012, Kang Kim

Kang Kim, 2012, Kang Kim

Pry Out the Flesh

Carefully pry the flesh away from the shell with a butter knife.

Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

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Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

Photo by: Kang Kim ©2012, Kang Kim

Kang Kim, 2012, Kang Kim

Peel the Skin

Using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, peel the thin brown skin off the flesh, then rinse the pieces.

Prep the Coconut Flesh

Shred the coconut meat with a peeler or grater to use in granola or desserts, or just break it into chunks and enjoy as a snack. Fresh coconut will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Shredded coconut will keep for 1 to 2 days.

Photo Taken In Chiang Mai, Thailand

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Photo Taken In Chiang Mai, Thailand

Photo by: Punjachoke Jittrapirom / EyeEm/Getty Images

Punjachoke Jittrapirom / EyeEm/Getty Images

How to Open and Drink from a Young Coconut

Yep, you can cut open a young coconut and drink from it with a straw -- just like you do at Mexican restaurants. Here's the step-by-step.

Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

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Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

Photo by: Kang Kim ©Copyright Kang Kim 2012

Kang Kim , Copyright Kang Kim 2012

Slice off the Tip

Lay a coconut on its side on a cutting board. Using force, slice off the pointed tip with a sharp chef's knife.

Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

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Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

Photo by: Kang Kim ©Copyright Kang Kim 2012

Kang Kim , Copyright Kang Kim 2012

Cut a Square In the Top

Stand the coconut cut side up and cut a square into the tough flesh on top; pry out the square with the tip of the knife to access the water inside.

Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

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Food Stylist: Stephana Bottom

Photo by: Kang Kim ©Copyright Kang Kim 2012

Kang Kim , Copyright Kang Kim 2012

Stick a Straw In

A young coconut contains about 1 1/2 to 2 cups water, which tastes slightly sweet and floral. To drink it, insert a straw right into the hole. Alternatively, invert a glass over the opening, then flip the glass and coconut together to drain the water into the glass.

Remove the Flesh

Before, during or after you drink the coconut water you can scoop the soft coconut meat out of the shell. A long-handled spoon like an iced-tea spoon is a good option. You can eat it or save it to use in another dish like a fruit salad or pudding.

Recipes with Coconut

This whole snapper dish everything. Stunning, delicious and a serious showstopper of an entree. You can substitute fresh coconut for the unsweetened flakes.

Photo by: Ryan Dausch

Ryan Dausch

Coconut-breaded tofu is a plant based version of coconut shrimp: oven-fried to crispiness and served with snap peas and a spicy-sweet sauce.

CC COCONUTCHIA
PUDDING BREAKFAST BOWL
Cooking Channel
Light Coconut Milk, Chia Seeds, Maple Syrup, Pineapple Chunks, Kiwi, Raspberries, Roasted
Almonds, Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

CC COCONUTCHIA PUDDING BREAKFAST BOWL Cooking Channel Light Coconut Milk, Chia Seeds, Maple Syrup, Pineapple Chunks, Kiwi, Raspberries, Roasted Almonds, Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Chia and coconut milk magically become pudding overnight in the fridge. Topped with fruit and nuts, it’s a great breakfast or dessert. This is a great recipe to top with the soft young coconut meat.

Strawberry Mango Pound Cake Shortcakes

Strawberry Mango Pound Cake Shortcakes

Photo by: Tara Donne

Tara Donne

Coconut and mango grow in the same regions around the world, so pairing them in any recipe is a no brainer. The shredded coconut here is toasted, which brings out so much flavor.

Finely chopped fresh cranberries are mixed with coconut sugar, mint hot fresh chile pepper and unsweetened coconut. Swap all of the coconut for fresh or make the relish as described and use the fresh as a garnish.

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