How do you crack open a coconut and eat it?

Question

Okay, so I went to the grocery store last night and bought a coconut for the very first time. How do I crack it open and what do I do after it has opened? I was thinking of throwing it against the wall (being sarcastic), but I'd be afraid its contents would go everywhere. How do I eat it? Is there even anything to eat? Is there like milk or something in there? If so, do I drink it? Is it okay to drink? I am all new to this, sorry. (lol)

Answer 1

does the nut have a husk ? if so then you need a sharp stick (ive done this )the needs to buried in the ground 12inch or so sharp bit up useing

both hands push down swiftly in a forward backward sort of motion hittting nut against pointy bit and very slowly work away the outside husk then you will find the nut shake it there should be milk inside about a small glass depending on the size of the nut at the pointy end there are three holes youll see em poke something through one of them and the  milk will flow theres coconut inside (the real stuff) youll have to break it open to get to it (hacksaw works good)have fun mail me tell me how ya went  

Answer 2

Get a bolo or a butcher's knife and open it right in the middle while rotating it. There's juice inside, and it's very delicious, so be careful not to spill it. You can grate the coconut meat and use it as part of a fruit salad or, together with the juice, you can make coconut juice.

Answer 3

Well first of all you will need a small rock or something hard (smaller than your fist) there are the 3 little holes in the front. If you look between two of the holes you should see a faint line. stretching along with the husk or the fur of the coconut. Just above the two holes on that line hit it really hard over the sink, because yes there is drinkable juice in there. the juice is different from the milk because you have to  work alot harder to get the milk. and yes the 'meat' inside the coconut is edible and very tasty. use a spoon. :)

Answer 4

With a hammer and a screwdriver of some sort.

Use the screwdriver like a chisel here. Hammer the screwdriver into the coconut so that the sharp bit makes a hole into one of the hole-like divets in the top(if there are any. If not, just make a hole) and let the milk flow out into some kind of container, like a cup, or a pot or jug.

If you want to drink it, you can. If not, get rid of it.

Then, it's hammer time again. Use the hammer and chisel arrangement to open up the coconut. You can remove the coconut flesh from the hard skin with other utensils, like a spoon or a knife I guess, and eat it, or even just eat the soft part from the hard skin, too.

That's just my recollection. The last time I had coconut was as a boy.

Answer 5

The liquid inside isn't really milk.  The only reason why I think some people call it "coconut milk" is because they think it's going to be like that stuff they sell in the cans (it's not).  It's a clear, colourless liquid, with a flavor to it that ranges from tasteless (like bottled water) to slightly sweet with just a hint of coconut flavor.  I suspect it's normally tasteless, but I might have contaminated the liquid by drilling into the coconut (see below).

I don't know if this is the best way to utilize a coconut, but the way I usually do it is:

1. Orient the coconut with the "finger holes" up.  (There are usually 2 or 3 dents in one end of a coconut that remind me of finger holes in a bowling ball).

2. Drill these out.   If you've got a clean drill bit and a power drill, it'll be easier, but a knife or a cork s***w will work.   Drill out two of these at least.   This will let you pour out the liquid inside into a glass or bowl.  Some people mix it with milk or use it for mixed alcoholic drinks.   You may need to strain it to get the coconut "saw dust" out.  You can stuff in a straw if you want to drink it straight.

3. Wrap the coconut in a strong (and clean) towel that you don't mind losing or staining.   You'll see why if you try this without it.

4. Place the wrapped, and emptied coconut on a stable surface that isn't likely to be damaged by an impact.

5. Hit it with a hammer.  Light taps around the outside will help loosen things up inside, followed by a good "killing blow" to shatter the nut.

6.  At this point, you'll have access to the inside white edible bits and they'll have broken up into large shards with some still stuck to the shell.  Dig these out with a knife. (be careful).

Don't worry about the brown skin on the outer part of the coconut meat.  These are edible too.  If you don't like them, use a quality potato peeler to shave them off.  DO NOT USE A CHEAP "MADE IN CHINA" PIECE OF JUNK FOR THIS.  Again, you'll find out why if you try it.

If the pieces are too big, you can grate them with a cheese grater, or slice them up.  If you opt to slide them up, use a slicing cleaver, as those are the only things I've found that will do the job without a lot of swearing.

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Do not even bother with so-called "water coconuts" that you see in Chinatown, and at some supermarkets.  I describe these as "Nature's answer to bottled water," as that's about all they are.  There's a shell about the size and shape of a hand grenade, and inside is liquid that's almost pure water.  Unlike a mature coconut, there's little or no nut part.

Answer 6

^^ oo i would make coconut bread and my family drink coconut out of it ^^ here this might help if not there r other ways to open it ^^ http://www.thaifoodandtravel.com/feature...

Answer 7

Have someone you do not like very much hold it while you hit it with a hammer. But shake it first. If you hear a liquid inside, drill a hole in one of the three eyes and drain it before cracking it. A good knife can be used to drill the hole. As far as cracking it, you can use a vise if you have one big enough, or simply be careful. You can actually hold it in one hand and the hammer in another. you might try wrapping a towel around it with the shell still exposed and hold the ends of the towel. Save some for me.

Answer 8

Yes, there is coconut milk inside the coconut. The milk is more an acquired taste, so if you don't mind letting it go, I've found the best way is to simply drop it on concrete until it breaks in half (or three pieces). Then, you can use a strong swiss army knife (don't use a weak kitchen knife, the blade will bend), to get leverage between the coconut meat and the hard shell. That way, you can get all the meat and chop it up later.

If you really want the milk, use a drill on the 3 holes every coconut has, and pour it out. Or just buy coconut milk at your local grocery store, it will save you the hassle and tastes better since it has additives.

Answer 9

AND NOW for the EASIEST method of all .. .and a surefire way to open a coconut.

Put it in the freezer for 1 hour. This will make the coconut shrink away from the shell .Take out of the freezer and give it a whack on the pavement out side.. it will crack easily. The water inside is not milk ,nut coconut water. You have to make coconut milk. The water is really good for yu but not too sweet. To make coconut milk do a search in google. Not very easy i have to say.