How to crack a coconut

Coconut is a bit of a seasonal thing and even though it is now available all year round, prices can be quite high at certain times of the year. Fortunately, coconut prices are usually very low during the Christmas season.This is probably also one of the reasons why we use coconuts often to decorate fruit bowls. Many of us prefer crack-opening coconut outside rather than at home in the kitchen because it could be a real struggle to get through the hard shell.

Step #1: Pour out the coconut milk

Firstly, it does not matter which method you use to open a coconut, you have to pour out the coconut milk first. This is rather easy and basically anyone should be able to do it. Find a place where the coconut has three little indentations. One of these three indentations is the softest. It is the spot where the coconut sprout comes out of the shell when it starts growing and itis also this spot where you need to get in.

Scissors, screwdriver or drill?

Most of us use scissors, screwdriver or a knife to drill and get inside.If you happen to have a power drill handy you can use it too, and while you are at it, make two holes (both in the indentations where the shell is thinnest). Pour the milk out. Coconut milk is full of vitamins so pouring out does not mean throwing it away! You should drink it because it can ease digestive problems and even treat some gastric infections.

Photo: Pixabay

Step #2: Crack open the coconut

Here you can use a “brute force” or more elegant approach. The main thing is to keep your kitchen as clean as possible. If you feel that you are not the most skilled person and think that you may get injured while using a brute force, choose a slower but more elegant method. Preheat your oven to 200 °C and put the coconut, from which you have already removed the milk, in the oven for about 15 minutes. The shell will crack giving you an easier access to the flesh – it is actually called the meat.

Brute force method

Brute force methods are much faster of course. Wrap the coconut in a towel and throw it hard on the ground (or hit it with a hammer). That should do it. Some coconuts could be broken by stamping on them – you need to have hard boots of some kind of course. If you do not want to break the shell into pieces (for example, if you want to use it as a bird feeder or hamster house), use a saw and cut it in half. If you trust yourself you can do it with a meat cleaver (you have to hit the same spot, several times in a row).

What about the flesh?

Once you get inside you can start removing the meat. You can enjoy it fresh, just like that and it is probably the best and the tastiest option, or you can dry it and grind it to make a flour, or you can even prepare your own coconut milk. When you compare the price of a coconut and the price of coconut milk in the store, you learn immediately that buying the entire coconut is much better choice.

Preview photo: Pixabay