Coconut is a versatile fruit that everyone loves. All parts of the fruit are usable, not only for eating and cooking but also for other necessities. The coconut flesh, water, and shell have their functions. But to consume the fruit, you need to open it. Most people are still confused on how to peel a coconut.
So don’t worry because this article will give you a guideline and tips and tricks on how to peel a coconut easily. Check this out!
The Easiest Way On How to Peel a Coconut
Peeling a coconut might seem a little intimidating, especially if you are unfamiliar with cutting big fruit. Coconut’s outer skin is full of layers and it can be pretty tricky. But don’t worry, follow these steps below and you will manage to cut your coconut easily.
1. Wash the Coconut
The first thing you have to do is wash the coconut. It’s important because there might be dirt or bacteria on the coconut’s shell. Thus, you should make sure the coconut is clean before cutting it as the bacteria could transfer inside the coconut if not cleaned well.
2. Puncture the Hole
Near the bottom of a coconut, usually, there are 3 holes similar to eyes. It’s referred to as the coconut eyes. Among the three eyes, one of them is soft. You need to feel it with your hand to find the softest eyes.
After finding the soft eyes, take a screwdriver and twist it inside the coconut hole until it’s open. That hole will be a way to drain the coconut water.
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3. Drain the Coconut Water
The next step on how to peel a coconut is to drain the water inside the shell. Prepare a glass or bowl and bring your coconut. Make sure the coconut that has been punctured faces the bowl and the coconut water will come out naturally. If it gets stuck somehow, just give the coconut a gentle shake.
Don’t throw away the coconut water. Instead, you can drink it directly or use it to make a beverage or smoothie. It’s highly nutritious and delicious.
4. Cut the Coconut in Half
After making sure the inside of the coconut is empty, it’s time for the next step. Find a thin line in the middle of the coconut shell. This is the coconut’s central point that will make it easier to break open.
Hold the coconut with your non-dominant hand, and get a tool to tap around the coconut shell using your dominant hand. You can use a hammer or a knife to do this, but make sure not to use the sharp part of the knife. It can be dangerous for your hand.
Be gentle when you tap your coconut’s center point, soon there will be a crack and your coconut will be split in half. If your coconut doesn’t get cut naturally, tap a little bit more while rotating it.
5. Put the Coconut in the Oven (Optional)
If you have an oven, it will be a good idea to heat your coconut before peeling the outer layer. Why? Because this process will make it easier for the coconut’s skin to be peeled. Just put the coconut inside the oven for 10-15 minutes and then let it cool down first. Don’t rush, since you might burn yourself.
6. Cut the Coconut into Small Pieces
The half coconut is too big to peel off directly, so cut it into smaller pieces using a knife. To do that, hold the coconut with your non-dominant hand and use the dominant hand to cut the coconut. As you slash the coconut, you can twist your knife inside the shell to pull out the coconut meat as well.
7. Peel Off the Shell
Last, there must be some coconut shells left on the flesh, so you need to peel off its shells. You can use the same knife, or a vegetable peeler to do this. Just hold the coconut and then peel the shell like you’re peeling off vegetables.
Related Article: How Long Do Coconuts Last? How to Tell If Coconut Is Bad?
Desiccated Coconut
- Desiccated Coconut is a versatile ingredient and ideal for fillers, toppings, and ingredients, especially in baking biscuits, snack bars, cakes, cookies, and many more.
- Our Desiccated Coconut has a sweet aroma of coconut and mild characteristics of coconut without being rancid.
Tips and Tricks on How to Peel a Coconut
In case you are still worried about the process of how to peel a coconut, here are some tips and tricks to make your job easier.
A. Refrigerate the Coconut
A day before peeling the coconut, put your coconut inside the refrigerator. This will help your process of cutting coconut easier. However, make sure that you cut off the husk before doing this process or it will not work properly.
B. Freeze the Coconut
If you don’t have the time to put the coconut in the refrigerator, just put the coconut in the freezer for a few hours. The same condition still applies, you need to cut the husk beforehand. If the coconut is frozen, it will be easier to tap the middle and the crack will appear sooner.
C. Heat the Coconut
As stated above, it’s recommended to heat the coconut before tapping it gently. If you don’t have access to an oven, you can use hot water instead.
First, peel off the hush of the coconut. After that, put the coconut in the hot water until it’s warm. Just like that, the coconut will be cracked easily.
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Where Can I Get Processed Coconut Products?
The easiest way to obtain a peeled coconut is by purchasing it from a coconut supplier. Many coconut suppliers offer various types of coconut products, such as desiccated coconut and coconut oil.
Indonesia is one of the largest coconut-producing countries known for its high-quality products. Discover how to buy coconut products from suppliers in Indonesia!
Virgin Coconut Oil
- Virgin Coconut Oil has a fresh, delicious tropical coconut scent and flavor
- It can be used for cosmetics, ayurvedic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications, and healthy food
FAQ
How do you peel off coconut easily?
Drain the coconut water by puncturing the soft coconut hole. Next, you can either heat or freeze the coconut shell first to make it easier to crack open. Lastly, peel off the coconut skin using a peeler or knife.
How do you peel a coconut husk?
By using a knife or a peeler. Gently peel off the husk away from the coconut meat.
How to store the coconut meat?
You can put it inside the refrigerator. It can last for around 4-5 days. If you want it to last longer, put it in the freezer, it will last for up to 3 months.
How to store coconut water?
It’s better to drink it directly. However, you can store it inside a refrigerator for 1-2 days, but no more than that. Putting it in the freezer is a different thing, it will last for a month.
