How To Open A Coconut: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1

You can find ripe coconuts at any grocery store or Asian market. I like to look for fresh-looking coconuts with a hard outer shell.

Step 2

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 3

Remove the coconut water from the coconut by poking through one of the three holes on top of the coconut. I use a stainless steel straw or a bamboo skewer, but a screwdriver will work too.

Step 4

Strain the coconut water through a fine mesh strainer and set aside.

Step 5

Place the coconut on a baking sheet and bake it in the oven for 15-20 minutes. This will help to loosen the meat from the shell.

Step 6

Remove the coconut from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes until it is cool enough to handle.

Step 7

Hold the coconut with a towel or oven mitt and use a large, sharp knife to tap around the circumference of the coconut, making a line from top to bottom. This will create a seam for you to crack the coconut open.

Step 8

Once you have a seam, use a hammer, the back of a cleaver, or a flathead screwdriver to pry or break the shell open.

Step 9

Once the coconut is open, cut the coconut from the shell with a butter knife. It should come off quickly now that it has been baked, but if you’re having difficulty getting the meat from the shell, try freezing the coconut halves overnight. Once frozen, the coconut shell comes off the coconut meat easily.

Step 10

Rinse the coconut meat under cold water to remove any remaining shell fragments or brown skin.

Step 11

Cut the coconut meat into small pieces or shred it with a grater if desired. You can use fresh coconut meat to make homemade coconut milk!

Step 12

Remove the coconut water from the coconut by poking through one of the three holes on top of the coconut. I use a stainless steel straw or a bamboo skewer, but a screwdriver will work too.

Step 13

Strain the coconut water through a fine mesh strainer and set aside.

Step 14

Place the coconut on a towel on a countertop.

Step 15

Hold the coconut in one hand and, with the other hand, a hammer.

Step 16

Carefully hammer the coconut until it cracks open. You may need to give it a good whack a few times before it opens.

Step 17

Once the coconut is open, use a knife to cut and scrape the meat away from the shell. It should come off easily now that it has been baked. Note: If you’re having a difficult time getting the meat from the shell, try freezing the coconut halves overnight. Once frozen, the coconut shell comes off the coconut meat easily.

Step 18

Rinse the coconut meat under cold water to remove any remaining shell fragments or brown skin.

Step 19

Cut the coconut meat into small pieces or shred it with a grater if desired. You can use fresh coconut meat to make homemade coconut milk!

Step 20

Lay the coconut on its side on a cutting board and use a cleaver or sharp knife to shave off the top of the coconut, exposing the shell.

Step 21

Using the corner of the cleaver, strike the shell firmly enough to puncture it, then carefully pry off the top to prevent spilling the water.

Step 22

Strain the coconut water to remove any bits of husk or debris.

Step 23

Use an ice cream scoop or a large spoon to remove the white flesh from the coconut. Make sure to scrape the sides of the coconut to get as much meat as possible.

Step 24

Scoop the coconut into a small bowl and reserve it for smoothies or making coconut wraps!

Step 25

Start by selecting a fresh, young Thai coconut. You can find them at many grocery stores and Asian markets. Make sure the coconut is firm and heavy for its size, with no cracks or dark spots.

Step 26

Rinse the coconut with cold water to remove any dirt or debris.

Step 27

Place the coconut jack tool on top of the coconut, ensuring that the sharp ring faces downwards towards the coconut.

Step 28

Hold the coco jack tool firmly with both hands and press it down toward the coconut. The ring will pierce through the top of the coconut.

Step 29

Then, hammer the coconut tool into the top of the coconut. The round device will break through the young coconut.

Step 30

Use the leverage provided by the tool to pry open the coconut by pulling the handle towards yourself.

Step 31

Once the coconut is open, pour the coconut water out of the coconut and into a container. I like using a mesh strainer to remove debris from the coconut juice.

Step 32

Now you can use a spoon or knife to scoop out the soft, jelly-like meat inside the coconut. The meat should be easy to remove from the shell.

Step 33

Rinse the coconut meat under cold water to remove any remaining shell fragments.

Step 34

Cut the coconut meat into small pieces or shred it with a grater if desired.