How to open a coconut with a knife. How to open a coconut at home: effective methods and tips

So we bought it for the first time. The questions arose: “How to split this coconut? How can I open it without the juice leaking out and the fragments scattering all over the place?!”

First of all, you need to feel for the one of the three holes on the top of the coconut that is softer than the others, simply by inserting a corkscrew into them. How they groped screw in the corkscrew (3-4 cm) and pull it out. If the pulp gets into the hole, you need to push it through.

Turn the coconut over, place it in a cup or jar, and from it juice will flow.

When the juice (or “coconut water”) has all flowed out (by the way, it is very tasty, especially chilled), wrap the coconut in film or a bag and tap it with a hammer(you can use chops, kitchen chops) in a circle at the widest point. You don’t have to hit with all your strength; normal beating movements are enough.

In general, coconuts spread throughout the world, emerging from Southeast Asia. The coconut palm is considered one of the 10 most beneficial plants for humans! Coconut is considered a strong aphrodisiac; it normalizes the functioning of the reproductive system, restores strength well and improves vision.

When the coconut gives in and breaks, remove the film. Now the task is to remove the shell from the pulp. Sometimes it immediately seems to move away slightly, and you can easily separate it with your hands. But more often she sits close, then you need reverse side(with a handle) insert a teaspoon between the shell and the pulp and press, separating the shell. It is much easier to do this if you put the previously split coconut in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.

The coconut meat also has a hard outer skin that can be removed with a regular knife or vegetable peeler.
Now you can enjoy the taste and texture, grate the coconut or make coconut milk.

By the way, coconut milk is prepared by grinding the coconut pulp with water in a blender. It contains a lot of fats and sugars. Milk and pulp are used to make cocktails, sauces, ice cream and other desserts.

Grated coconut can be stored for up to 1 month, moistened with coconut liquid, in bags in the freezer.

Opening a coconut at home is easy. It is necessary to pour out the milk and crack the shell.

• Coconut is considered a fatty nut. Even scientists until recently doubted its benefits - they were sure that it had a detrimental effect on blood vessels, clogging them with cholesterol
• But a lot of research has been carried out, and now the whole world knows that coconut successfully fights cholesterol plaques in blood vessels. It is beneficial due to plant fiber and content large quantity vitamins and microelements
• Many people try not to buy coconuts, despite their benefits for the body. All this is due to the fact that it is difficult to open it at home. If you know how to open a nut correctly, then doing it yourself is not at all difficult.

So you bought a coconut from the supermarket, what next?

How to open a coconut correctly at home?

A ripe and tasty coconut will be large in size. Its shell is hard and durable. How to open a coconut correctly at home so that you can get truly heavenly pleasure from its taste?

Follow these steps:

• Rinse the nut well under running water
• Examine it: the top end of the coconut has three indentations or three large dark spots
• Take an ice pick or screwdriver and push one of the holes
• Now you can insert a straw for cocktail drinks and drink coke milk, or you can pour it into a mug

Important: If you can’t make a hole, then tap the knife inserted into the recess with a hammer.

• After this, place the coconut on the table and tap it with a hammer on all sides - the nut will begin to split into pieces

Important: Be careful with the hammer to avoid damaging your hands and fingers!

• The pulp can be scooped out with a knife into small pieces

Tip: If the pulp is difficult to separate from the shell, then place the split halves in a preheated oven (200 degrees) for 15 minutes. You can use the microwave.

Important: After this, the tasty snow-white pulp will be easily separated even with a spoon.

If everything is done correctly, then there is nothing complicated in this process. Nowadays, almost everyone knows how to peel a coconut. You can buy this nut in any supermarket. Its price is low, and both adults and children like the taste - it is a tasty and satisfying nut.

Tips and reviews from other people will tell you about little tricks that will help you get the treat out of the hard shell quickly and easily.

Tip: If you want to surprise your guests with this dish, then remove the pulp from the nut in advance so as not to spoil the impression of the delicious dessert by cutting it.

Tip: Coconut shells can serve as a decorative addition to your interior. Its halves will look beautiful in an aquarium as decoration or as flower pots for small cacti. In this case, the nut should not be broken with a hammer, but cut in half with a hacksaw.

Important: Before cutting with a hacksaw, do not forget to drain the milk first. This method of cleaning requires a lot of effort and time, but the halves of the shell are perfectly used on the farm.

Tip: When scooping out the flesh with a knife, be careful not to cut your fingers!

Important: The pulp must be eaten within 24 hours. After 24 hours it starts to turn sour.

Feel like you're in heaven - try coconut! Bon appetit!

Video: How to open a coconut?

The video will help you clearly see how to open a coconut yourself.

Video: How to open a coconut at home?

It doesn’t matter why a coconut appeared in your house - whether it’s a gift from fate or your own whim, but something needs to be done with it. Despite the rather harsh appearance, opening a nut is not such a difficult task if you know which side to approach it from.

How to crack a coconut

Of course, this nut is an exotic fruit and not familiar to everyone. But that doesn't mean we can't deal with it.

The fruit of the coconut tree is more correctly called a drupe rather than a nut.

To cut a coconut into a nut, we must stock up on the necessary tools and follow a certain sequence of actions.

Preparing inventory

We will need:

• hammer;
• nail or screwdriver;
• large knife or hatchet;
• cup;
• towel.

Don't be intimidated by the abundance of items listed. Some of them are interchangeable and are indicated in case another item is not at hand. Which tool you use depends on how you open the nut.

Drain the juice

There are three dark spots on one of the “poles” of the nut. It will be easier to make a hole in these places.

Coconut water is often mistakenly called "milk". In fact, coconut water (juice) and coconut milk are two different things. Water is what is inside the nut, and the so-called coconut milk is obtained from crushed pulp with the addition of water.

You need to choose the softest spot and make a hole in it with a nail or screwdriver

1. Place the coconut on a towel to prevent it from sliding on the table.
2. Place a nail on one of the marks and hit it with a hammer. Calculate the force of the blow! If you overdo it, you'll end up with a hammered nail rather than a hole.
3. Make two holes to make it easier for the coconut water to pour out, and tip the nut over the glass.

Do not count on a full glass of juice; there is not much of it in a ripe (brown) nut.

Breaking a nut with your bare hands

It’s hard to imagine a Papuan walking under the palm trees with a carpenter’s kit. Coconuts have been eaten since time immemorial, which means that there are some “primitive” ways to present the sweet flesh to the world.

The simplest way to open a nut if you have nothing but own hands- hit it hard on a hard surface. For example, against a concrete wall. The “right hook” will have the desired effect if you aim: hold the nut so that the blow falls on the most convex part of the “equator” of the nut. As a rule, one decent blow is enough for a crack to appear. The disadvantage of this method is that if the gap is too small, you will not be able to simply break the nut into two halves with your hands and will have to repeat the maneuver. And if you are so strong that you simply smash a coconut against the wall, then you will not be able to enjoy the coconut juice - it will leak out.

How to open a coconut with a knife

If you have at least a knife, then this greatly simplifies the matter. It is advisable that it be a solid tool that inspires respect, for example, a cleaver knife, a hunting knife or a “chef’s knife.” With its help, you can cut a coconut in at least two ways.

Opening through a hole

If you have already made two holes in the shell and drained the juice, feel free to start cutting using the existing holes.

1. We insert the knife into one of the holes with the tip.
2. We hit the handle several times. This can be done with a hammer, or just with a fist.

This method guarantees that the nut will crack, but does not guarantee the symmetry of the resulting parts.

Video: cutting with a knife through a hole

Using a knife on the edge of a coconut

This method is used to open “full” nuts with juice inside. First of all, evaluate the “exterior” of the knife and determine what is heavier, the blade or the handle. The sharpness does not matter, because we will be tapping the nut, not cutting it. If the knife blade is heavier, use the dull side. If the handle is heavier, then grab the knife by the blade.

1. Find a natural break line approximately halfway down the nut. As you remember, this is the very place where the shell cracks the fastest.
2. Act accurately and carefully: with one hand, hold the nut suspended and constantly rotate it around its axis, and with the other hand, tap along this line with the blunt side of the knife.
3. As soon as a crack appears, insert a knife blade into it and slightly push the shell apart.
4. Pour the juice into a glass.
5. Now unseal the nut using the knife more decisively.

Video: how to split a shell into two equal halves

How to open a green drinking coconut

Green fruits are unripe nuts that have not yet had time to “ripen.” In terms of the thickness of the peel, they are somewhat reminiscent of a pumpkin, which means that the green nut can be easily handled with a kitchen knife. Simply cut off one of the coconut poles like a “lid” and enjoy!

Green coconut juice reduces appetite, normalizes digestion, blood glucose levels, work thyroid gland and metabolism

Coconut water is low in calories, quenches thirst well, and helps get rid of infections. bladder and restores physical strength after intense exercise.

Safety precautions when opening a nut

Despite the fact that it is not difficult to handle a coconut, still be careful when using sharp, piercing, or cutting objects. When using a hammer, try to protect your fingers. By the way, if, of all the ways to open a coconut, you just decide to hit it with a hammer wherever you have to, then before doing this, put it in a plastic bag so as not to later look for scattered pieces throughout the kitchen.

Cleaning the tough skin and extracting the pulp

Extraction of pulp will go faster if you take into account the following rule: the more shells, the easier it is to do. Therefore, if you do not use any “life hacks”, then the most difficult thing will be to pick copra from those very perfect hemispheres that were discussed above.

Insert the blade of a knife between the shell and the edible part and separate a piece

The most primitive way to extract the pulp is as follows: insert a knife blade between the shell and the edible part, and, shaking the knife, separate a piece. Then another one. And one more thing. The main thing is not to rush anywhere.

This kind of meditation activity is not suitable for everyone. Things will go much faster if you use the following method:

We won't throw away the shells

If cutting a coconut was so impressive that you wanted to keep these exciting moments in your memory, make a souvenir from the shell. Most often, halves of nuts are used as a salt shaker, candlestick, plate for buttons, keys and other small items. If the shell is quite deep, then by turning it upside down, you will get an excellent eco-house for a hamster. Small and unsightly shards will serve as drainage for indoor flowers.

Photo gallery: decorative and household items made from coconut shells

Candlesticks made from coconut halves will decorate any occasion Coconut shell feeder is very environmentally friendly Box in the shape of an egg - almost Faberge Cacti in a coconut pot feel like home

Terms and methods of storing coconut

One nut, as a rule, is eaten right away, so the question of how to store it does not even arise. It’s another matter when, for some reason, you have what is called “stacks” of these coconuts. Whole nuts can be stored in a cool place for up to three weeks. But if you don’t work in the very store where you happened to stock up on coconuts, then you have no way of knowing how long they had already been on the shelf before you were tempted by them.

Important! When buying a coconut, shake it near your ear: you will hear a noticeable splash of juice. If this sound is not present, there is a high probability of running into a stale, drying fruit.

Store the opened coconut in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, as long as it remains in the shell. It is not recommended to store coconut juice. Microbes multiply quickly in a sweetish liquid, so it would be wiser to drink it right away.

• Pour boiled water over the pulp so that it does not dry out. The lifespan of “soaked coconut” in the refrigerator is 2–3 days;
• Place the peeled coconut meat in the freezer. In this form, she can wait for her fate for several months;
• Grind and dry the coconut, put it in a bag and use the shavings throughout the year. Store in a dry place.

Not everyone can pick a nut from such a height

Interesting: in the south of Thailand, coconuts are collected with the help of trained monkeys. The animal climbs up, picks nuts, and when it comes down, it receives a treat from the worker.

The sweetness and aroma of fresh nuts is much brighter than processed ones. Buy the “symbol of heavenly life” immediately before eating and enjoy the fullest taste.

For residents of our latitudes, coconuts are exotic and interesting fruits. Few people, having watched a beautiful advertisement or a film about life on the island, have not thought about what coconut tastes like.

Some, to satisfy their curiosity, buy a “bounty”. But if the famous candy bar is sold at every turn, then where and how to get coconut milk - a natural product

In fact, it is also sold, although only in large stores. But the fact is that an ordinary tetra bag and ordinary candy kill all the charm of the moment. Therefore, the day comes when a person decides to buy the treasured fruit. He happily brings it home and... realizes that he has no idea how to open a coconut.

All available materials are used. The unfortunate nut (a dry drupe, to be more precise) is drilled with a drill, sawed with a hacksaw, and thrown into the air with a hammer. Knives, axes, chisels, chisels, nails, screwdrivers, scissors - everything is used. It happens that the ill-fated coconut cannot be opened, or the result of the efforts is pieces of shell scattered throughout the kitchen, neighbors angry at the noise, and splashed juice. The desire to associate with this fruit disappears forever.

To prevent this from happening, let's look at the most simple ways how to get to the tasty pulp.

Extracting Coconut Water

Yes, that's exactly what it is, not milk. Milk is an artificial product that is made from ground pulp and water.

Any method that describes this always starts with pouring out the coconut water. Otherwise, when you open it, it will splatter and you won’t be able to try it. However, if the nut is very old, it may not exist. But such coconut should not be eaten at all, since the lack of liquid inside means that it is of little use.

So, wash the coconut and look for three dark spots on it. It is necessary to make holes in two of them. These are the most vulnerable places, but they are still not easy to make holes in, so be very careful not to get hurt! One of the spots, by the way, is softer than the others, but it’s still more convenient to make two holes so that the juice flows out faster.

You can use a knife, a large nail and a hammer, a corkscrew, or, in extreme cases, a drill. After making a hole, turn the fruit over and pour the liquid into a glass. Or you can insert a straw and drink water straight from the coconut.

Now that we have deprived our fruit of “life-giving moisture,” we will figure out how to open a coconut.

Method No. 1

The most civilized. Take a good knife, measure about 1/3 from the side of the coconut where the “eyes” are, and separate this part with an imaginary line. Holding the coconut in one hand, strike along this line with a knife, gradually turning the coconut around its axis. Sooner or later the shell will crack. If it doesn't come off right away, just do a few more tapping motions and gently remove the shell.

Use the method only if you are confident in your coordination! You can place the coconut on a cutting board. Instead of using a knife, you can try using a hammer.

Method No. 2

You will need a knife, a hammer and Place the fruit on the board, measure 1/3 again, as in the previous method, attach the blade of a large strong knife to the imaginary line and hit it with a hammer. A crack should appear. Repeat the procedure, rotating the coconut in a circle.

The result was two neat halves (for some, not very neat, but everything comes with experience). Now we extract the pulp. As a rule, it fits very tightly to the shell, so you will have to pry it off with a knife or spoon. To make this process easier, place the cracked nuts in the refrigerator for an hour or two.

Method No. 3

You will need a towel (bag, plastic wrap) and a hammer.

After wrapping the nut in a towel or bag, start hitting it with a hammer in a circle, hitting it right in the middle (at the widest point). If all else fails, try simply “hitting” the coconut wherever necessary with a hammer, brick or other heavy object. But in this case it is better to do it on the floor, preferably concrete. But don’t expect to get two even halves like in the advertisement. However, you still have to chop the coconut to use it, so don’t be upset.

These were the most popular and simple descriptions of how to open a coconut. Of course, a little skill is needed. But after trying it a couple of times, you will see that it is quite simple.

Useful tips

Those who bought coconut for the first time face several problems.

Being very strong, these so-called nuts (coconut is actually a stone fruit, just like cherries or plums) are difficult to crack, meaning you need to be smart to do it.

We'll look at several ways to open a coconut and start with the most popular.

How to break a coconut - method I

Despite the fact that this method takes some time, it is not at all difficult, since you only have to use a couple of tools. Prepare a towel, a hammer and a large nail.

If you look closely at your coconut, you will find 2-3 dark indentations on the side of the nut. They are its weak points, and it is them that we use to pour out the juice of the nut so that we can further split it.

Using a hammer and a large nail, make a hole in one, or preferably each, of the dark spots on the coconut.

*You can use a screwdriver instead of a nail.

*The time this process may take depends on the coconut, but is usually a few minutes.

*If the coconut is quite ripe, you can take regular scissors and pierce one of the eyes on the top of the coconut.

Turn the coconut upside down over a container to drain the juice.

Now place the empty coconut in the center of a towel laid out on the floor or table.

Wrap the whole nut so that the edges of the towel are at the bottom, which will prevent pieces of coconut from flying everywhere when you start to break it.

* Instead of a towel, you can use a plastic bag.

Now we've reached the most interesting part - grab a hammer and hit the nut.

* You will have to make several blows and quite strong ones. Better hit on the floor, but the most best option is it brick or concrete.

When the nut cracks, break up the largest pieces, which will make the process of separating the pulp even easier.

Use a knife to separate the pulp from the shell of the nut.

* This process will also take some time, but take your time and be careful not to get hurt.

* A thin layer of shell may cling to pieces of pulp - you can cut it off or scrape it off with a knife.

Wash the pulp and you can use it.

How to open a coconut at home - method II

A hammer is also used here.

We measure about a third of the height of the nut from the coconut eyes and begin tapping with the sharp part of the hammer.

* You need to tap along the entire circumference, gradually turning the coconut. The blows should be strong and clear, and when you hear the nut crack, you will understand that you are doing everything right.

If all is well, the nut should crack along the circumference that you marked, and you can split it and then separate the pulp as in Method I.

*You may need to separate the skin from the pulp, it's not difficult, you just need to be patient.

How to open a coconut correctly - method III

To make the coconut crack easier, you can use heat or cold.

Place the coconut in the oven at about 90C and wait 15 minutes.

* Instead of heating, you can use the cooling method by placing the coconut in the freezer for 15 minutes.

* This method will help separate the flesh from the inner walls of the coconut more easily.

Next, simply use a hammer to tap the equator of the coconut while you twist it in your hand. Continue tapping until the coconut cracks and separates into two pieces. (See method I and II)

You can extract the pulp - it will not be difficult, since you have previously heated or cooled the coconut.

How to open a coconut (video)

How to store coconut

Coconut can be stored in the refrigerator, or better yet, in the freezer. But you can keep it for the longest time if you grate it and dehydrate it.

Refrigerate for 2 to 7 days.

In the freezer from 1 to 3 months.

Grated and dehydrated coconut from 6 to 12 months.

How to eat coconut

Coconut, or rather its pulp, can be used for preparing desserts, various salads, baking, or you can just eat it.

You can cut the coconut flesh with a knife, use a food processor or a grater to chop.

By the way, grated coconut can be placed in a plastic bag and stored in the freezer for about a month.

It is also worth noting that coconut pulp consumed with fish, chicken, and added to exotic soups and sauces.

Grated and dehydrated coconut can be used as powders for various confectionery products.

If fresh coconut pulp is poured with warm milk, you can get coconut milk. And if you cool the milk and let it brew, then mix it with coconut pulp, then you will have coconut cream.

How to open a coconut if you have a machete