How To Open A Coconut Without Ending Up In The ER
It can take a whole heck of a lot to crack open a coconut, but to do so and keep all your digits, you'll need to be more surgeon than blacksmith. It's certainly not impossible (we've all seen the expert work of street vendors on social media), but merely "going for it" is an easy way to slip up and end up sipping your fresh coconut water from the (dis)comfort of a hospital bed. So, how do we avoid such an injury?
Knowing the safest way to get inside the coconut before you endeavor to do it is key. Winging it may not result in a trip to the ER, so get equipped with the best tools and know how to do it safely and simply. Whether you're after just the juice or the whole shebang (nutmeat and all), coconut is certainly worth the trouble ... but no more than that.
Splitting a coconut needs proper tools
While a pro can dextrously shave a fresh coconut down with a broad cleaver, that's strictly for the experts, and we're recommending a method for beginners that has the smallest chance of incurring injury.
To begin, when trying to open a coconut, be sure to take its age into account. Not unlike a fine wine, coconuts are best aged to maturity. Mature coconuts are easy to spot because of their deep brown exteriors, with husk-like fibers protruding off of them like hair. They also tend to have less water inside of them than a younger coconut. Once you've chosen the perfect specimen, make sure to have a cutting board, screwdriver (the tool, not the cocktail ... although that may help, too), measuring cup, and small hammer at the ready. It's time to get cracking!
First off, poke the eyes of the fruit with the screwdriver to find the one that's softest and easiest to penetrate. Once you've located it, push the screwdriver through, using a hammer if need be. Once you've made a hole, drain the coconut water into the measuring cup, for later hydration. After it's fully drained, begin turning the coconut in your hand while gently tapping it with the hammer, forming a consistent crack in the coconut's shell. The coconut should split nicely, and once it's in two halves, you can place the halves "split side down" to tap with the hammer to loosen up the delicious inner meat for slicing off.
What to do with coconut meat
Now that you've procured a bounty of fresh coconut, the next question is ... what do you do with it? Luckily, coconut is an extremely versatile food product, and can be used in an endless amount of recipes, but it can also just be enjoyed raw, straight from the shell. However, if unadulterated coconut isn't what you're angling for, shredding it using a food processor or grater will allow you to use the meat to add to baking recipes, satisfying your coconut craving during your next dessert. Sprinkle the shredded coconut on top of ice cream, or your cake frosting to both amplify the taste and give it an interesting texture. Or, if you're willing to bring that coconut flair to the breakfast table, try adding them to your next batch of blueberry muffins!
Even though they're rock-like to start, once you've mastered the way to break through their tough exterior, you'll be able to enjoy fresh coconut any time you like. Fortunately, the process isn't too difficult, and with a little practice, it should become second nature. Now that you're secure with this knowledge, you should keep your feet firmly planted in the kitchen, and not propped up in an ambulance gurney! And, with the money you save on hospital bills, you can buy more coconuts... it's a win-win!