How to Open a Coconut

Though opening a whole coconut may seem impossible, there are actually several different ways to go about doing so. I have found one way that is especially easy. Here are the six steps towards enjoying this wonderful dish:

1. First, you must find a coconut. For those who love coconut but don't have any coconut palms nearby, the best option is to buy a whole coconut at the grocery store. While half-coconuts can be purchased at many stores, they are not as fresh and all of the sweet milk has been drained away. The best season to buy coconuts is from October to December. It should feel heavy for its size, and you should be able to hear the liquid inside. You should also be able to find three 'eyes' at the smaller end of the coconut. Make sure that your coconut has no cracks or other damages.

2. Once you have taken your coconut home, use a hammer to drive a nail through each of the three eyes. Then place the coconut over a container and wait for all of the milk to drain from the holes you have just made.

3. Once there is no more coconut milk inside, place your coconut in the middle of a towel. Wrap the coconut up inside of it so that it is completely covered, and tuck the loose ends of the towel underneath the coconut.

4. Take your hammer and start smashing away at the towel-covered coconut. You will need to hit it rather hard, so it may be best to not do this on the counter. Eventually the coconut will crack. At that point, you can continue hitting it in order to break it up into smaller pieces.

5. Unwrap the towel to reveal the coconut cracked into pieces. Use a knife to pry the meat away from the shell, but be very careful not to cut yourself on the knife or the shell edges. This process usually takes some time. Some of the shell may cling to the meat; this can be cut or scraped away with the knife.

6. Rinse off the coconut meat, and enjoy it with a refreshing glass of coconut milk. This dish is especially wonderful when eaten

Remember, coconut is a fresh fruit, so it doesn't keep forever. It can last for up to a week in the refrigerator, and for one to three months in the freezer. Enjoy your newfound knowledge on how to open a coconut!