When eaten fresh, coconuts are a delicious food.If you assume that you need a drill, hacksaw, and other specialty tools to open a coconut, you may shy away from buying a whole coconut.You can open a coconut with items that are already in your home.It's possible to split the coconut open if you hit it against a hard surface.If you don't have access to an oven, a mallet or hammer can help crack the coconut open.You don't need a knife or peeler to free the coconut meat once you open it.
Step 1: There is a hole in the coconut.
There are three eyes on the coconut.If you want to poke each one, use a sharp knife.Attach the knife to the eye to create a 12 inch hole.A metal skewer or screwdriver can be used to poke a hole in the coconut.
Step 2: The coconut should be upside down.
You need a glass to get the water from the coconut.If you punch a hole in the coconut, it will be over the glass.The coconut can be placed over a bowl to collect the water.You don't have to hold the coconut as it drips if you use a glass that fits over the top.A measuring cup can be used to collect the liquid.
Step 3: The coconut should be allowed to drain completely.
After placing the coconut upside down over the glass, allow it to sit for a while and let the liquid drain out.You might need to shake the coconut a few times to get the last bit of water out.If you want to open the coconut in the oven, you need to drain it first.If the coconut is heated too long, it may explode in the oven.If you plan to use a mallet to open the coconut, you don't have to drain it first.If you don't start with a drained coconut, you can end up making a mess in the kitchen.You should get about 12 to 34 cup of water from the coconut.The water from a young coconut should be sweet.The coconut should be thrown away if it has an oily consistency.
Step 4: Place the oven in the desired position.
It is important that your oven is warm enough to help open the coconut.Allow the temperature to fully heat by setting it at 375 degrees.
Step 5: You can bake the coconut for 10 minutes.
Put the coconut in the oven.If you see a crack in the coconut, bake it for 10 minutes.Continue to bake it until you notice that the shell is starting to split, if the coconut hasn't cracked after 10 minutes.To make sure you don't heat it too much, check the coconut every few minutes.The coconut can also be microwaved.Place it on a microwave-safe plate and heat it for three minutes.
Step 6: Wrap coconut in a towel.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven when the coconut is cracking.Allow it to cool down for a few minutes.The coconut should be wrapped in a towel or rag.
Step 7: If you want to hit the coconut against a hard surface, put it in a garbage bag.
Put the coconut in the garbage bag after it has been wrapped in a towel.If you feel the coconut break into pieces, whack it against a hard surface several times.The coconut will be harder to break if you hit it against a hard surface.A concrete surface works well.
Step 8: Place a knife between the shell and meat.
Remove the coconut from the garbage bag and unwrap it.Take each piece, and wedge a knife between the shell and the white meat of the coconut to separate them.If you want to separate the coconut meat and shell, you don't have to use a sharp knife.If you are having trouble, it is best to start with a butter knife.Prepare the coconut shell and meat by bracing it against your table or counter.
Step 9: The fiber should be removed from the coconut meat.
There may be some light brown fiber covering the white meat after you separated the coconut.If you want to remove the fiber from a vegetable, use a peeler.You can eat or cook with coconut once you remove the fiber from the meat.If you don't have a vegetable peeler, you can use a knife to peel the meat from it.
Step 10: Wrap the coconut in a towel.
Place a folded kitchen towel on the side of the coconut that has been drained.The part of the coconut not covered with the towel is in front of you if you hold it with your non-dominant hand.The coconut can be steady against a table or countertop if you prefer.You have to adjust it as you work so you can crack it all the way around.
Step 11: The coconut should be turned and tapped with a mallet until it cracks.
Hold the coconut with the towel and use a mallet to tap it.You can tap against the exterior of the coconut until it begins to crack in half if you turn it as you go.The best way to open the coconut is with a metal mallet.The coconut can be tapped with a hammer if you don't have a mallet.
Step 12: Place the coconut shell on the floor.
Use your fingers to split the coconut in two.The coconut should be placed on the table or countertop with the cut side facing down.If the coconut doesn't split easily, repeat the step of tapping around the outside with the mallet.The coconut may not have fully cracked.
Step 13: The meat can be loosened with the coconut.
The mallet should be used to tap against the coconut halves.You can separate the two more easily if you loosen the meat from the shell.To make sure the meat is loosened, tap the mallet all over the coconut halves.The coconut halves can split into smaller pieces if you hit them with a mallet.When it is time to separate the shell and meat, that can make it easier.
Step 14: To get the meat out of the shell, use a knife.
After hitting the coconut halves with a mallet to loosen the meat, wedge a butter knife between the shell and meat.Use the knife to pry the meat away from the shell.All of the coconut pieces should be repeated.You don't have to worry about cutting yourself if you use a butter knife.
Step 15: The fiber must be removed from the meat.
There is a thin, brown skin on the outside of the shell after you separated it from the meat.To remove the coconut's skin, use a vegetable peeler.You are ready to eat or cook with the meat of the coconut.