How to open coconut? The method is simple

Coconut can be opened using simple methods such as knife back tapping, drilling for juice, oven heating, freezing cracking, and smashing to break the shell.

1. Knife back tapping method

Select an unopened mature coconut and evenly tap it several times along the equator with the back of the knife. Maintain moderate force when striking, and stop when you hear slight cracks in the outer shell. Invert the coconut above the bowl, hold both ends with both hands and spread them apart to both sides. The coconut juice will flow into the bowl. This method is suitable for home operation, and attention should be paid to the safety of tool use to avoid splashing coconut juice due to excessive impact.

2. Drilling and Juice Extraction Method

Use a screwdriver or specialized coconut drill to drill holes in the three natural depressions on the top of the coconut. The softer embryonic hole is the easiest to penetrate, and once drilled to a depth of 2 centimeters, a straw can be inserted to drink coconut juice. If you need to take coconut meat, you can enlarge the hole and pour out the juice, then use a knife to pry open the shell along the edge of the hole. This method can preserve the coconut shell intact and is suitable for making coconut container handicrafts.

3. Oven Heating Method

Place the intact coconut in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius and bake for 15 minutes. High temperatures will cause the coconut shell and flesh to separate. After taking it out, immediately wrap it with a towel and gently tap the outer shell to easily peel it off. Heated coconut meat is easier to separate from the hard shell and can stimulate a special caramel aroma. Please note that the baking time should not be too long to avoid complete evaporation of coconut juice.

4. Freeze cracking method

Fresh coconuts are refrigerated for 2 hours and then placed in the freezer for 3 hours of rapid freezing. Low temperature can cause coconut juice to freeze and expand, resulting in natural cracks when gently dropped on the ground after removal. Inserting a cutting tool along the crack can completely separate the two halves of the coconut shell, and the frozen coconut flesh is translucent and easier to excavate. This method is particularly suitable for processing large quantities of coconuts, but it may slightly affect the taste of coconut juice.

5. Smashing and Crushing Method

Lay a towel on a hard outdoor ground, hold a coconut with both hands, and lift it to waist height to fall freely. After impact, check the direction of the crack and use a cutting tool to enlarge the crack to remove the flesh. Traditional methods require attention to selecting cement or slate flooring, and the angle of impact should be perpendicular to the equator. It is recommended to wear gloves during operation to prevent coconut shell fragments from scratching the palms.

It is recommended to consume coconut as soon as possible after opening to ensure flavor, and unfinished coconut juice can be refrigerated and stored for 24 hours. Fresh coconut meat can be cut into pieces and frozen for one month. After thawing, it is suitable for making coconut desserts or curry dishes. Attention should be paid to the safety of cutting tools during coconut processing, and children should operate under adult supervision. If the coconut shell has mold spots or the juice has a sour taste, it should be discarded immediately to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort caused by consuming spoiled coconut. Pre opened coconut products are more convenient to consume in daily life.