how to open a coconut?

Answer 1

hit it with a sledge hammer

Answer 2

Step 1 - Get the coconut Ready
Make sure the coconut is on a flat surface, and your work surface is free of clutter, and anything the knife blade might bump into while you are cutting.



Step 2 - Get the right tools

I use a $10 chef's knife that was purchased from Target. (Don't use the family heirloom knife!). I have never broken a knife opening coconuts, but it is rough on the knife. It will dull fast, and the tip may break if the knife is too thin, or you use an improper technique (not sticking the tip in enough when opening). You will also need a spoon with a thick handle (many spoons will bend when scooping out the meat)



Step 3 - Cutting off the husk.
Now turn the coconut on its side, and cut off the husk of the coconut, so that you reveal the hard coconut shell. Be sure to cut all the husk off to reveal the hard coconut shell.

Step 4 - Find the Veins
Find the three "veins" that run down from the center of the coconut. You will put the tip of the knife 1" down from the center of the top of the coconut between the veins (as shown in picture).
Step 5 - The Tap
Now tap the handle end of the knife so that it will put pressure on the coconut shell. Some coconuts shells are thinner than others, so this step may require some hard tapping. Once the knife breaks thru the shell, ensure it enters the coconut at least one inch. Be sure the knife is at the angle specified by the picture.


Step 6 - Change the angle
Once the knife has entered the coconut about an inch, it should stand on its own. At this point, you will lower the knifes angle (while still keeping the tip inside the coconut) to make the knife parallel with the countertop that you are cutting on.



Step 7 - Rotate the knife.
Now you will "rotate" the knife to the left. You will move your hand that is holding the knife, as if its a motorcycle grip and you are giving it the gas. IMPORTANT: Be sure the knife blade (ensuring the tip is still 1" inside the coconut)



Step 8 - Rotate the other way.
Now you will "rotate" the knife to the right. You will move your hand that is holding the knife, as if its a motorcycle grip and you are giving it the gas. IMPORTANT: Be sure the knife blade (ensuring the tip is still 1" inside the coconut). Repeat Steps #7 and #8 until the top comes loose, and "gently pry it up. This technique works well on "hard shell" coconuts. Some coconuts may have a soft shell, and will need more work.

That's it!
At this point, the coconut top can be removed. It should pop off. You can now pour out the water, and take a spoon and spoon out the meat.

Answer 3

Everone has a few problems the first time they try and learn how to open a coconut. These little guys must be the most well protected nut in all of the world, but we humans can't just sit around and let monkeys show us up, right? In this site I will detail the most common method of opening up a coconut along with pictures of the process. It is fairly simple, but does take some time to do.

*Are you ready to learn how to open a coconut? Then let's get crackin'! You don't need much to start. A towel, hammer, large nail, and of coarse the coconut we are going to open.

*If you examine your coconut you will see 2-3 dark indentations on one end. These are the weakest points. We will be utilizing these guys to drain the coconut's juice before pulverizing this puppy.

*Take the hammer and drive the nail through each of the holes. I usually do all of them. Depending on the type of coconut you have this could take a few swings.

*Place the coconut over a container and give it some time for the juice to drain. If nothing is coming out you can drive the nail through the other side of the coconut to allow air to enter the top while the liquid drains from the bottom. If your nail bends try using a slimmer one (or even a drill), the hole doesn't need to be big.

*Take the drained coconut and place it in the center of a towel that is large enough to be wrapped completely around it.

*Time for some fun! Grab your hammer and bash away! I wouldn't recommend doing this on your counter, you will need to hit is rather hard. Do it on the floor, or better yet on brick or concrete. Some coconuts have grooves partially cut along the sides to make opening easier, if you have one of these, instead of wrapping up the coconut you can use the opposite end of the hammer and whack it around the groove until it splits in two.

*Once it's cracked open you can hit it a few more times to try and break up the larger pieces some more. This will make seperating the meat from the shell easier.

*Here's your prize, yummy coconut meat. Mmmmmm... Using a small knife, pry the meat away from the shell, be very careful not to cut yourself! Better put on some music, this could take a while.

*The thin layer of shell that will cling to most of the coconut meat shards can be cut or scraped away with a sharp knife. Again, be careful. This will take a while to do so don't try and rush.

*Whew, all done! Go ahead and rinse off your pure-white coconut meat and marvel at it's delicious glow. Mmmmmmm. Your storage options include:

Refrigerator (2-7 days)
Freezer (1-3 months)
Shredded/Grated and dehydrated (6-12 months)

Answer 4

1. Gather the items listed below.
* a sharp knife
* an ice pick
* a bowl or container for the water
* and a coconut of course

2. Place the coconut on a hard, flat surface that will not be damaged, such as a cutting board.

3. Find the soft “eye” of the coconut that will be soft enough to push the ice pick through. If not, use the knife to create the hole.

4. Drain the coconut juice into the bowl.

5. Note the seam that runs between the “eyes.” Follow the seam to the equator of the coconut. A sharp whack with the knife will start a crack that runs perpendicular to the seam. A few more whacks around the crack started by the Frist blow should finish the job. If it’s done right, you should end up with two equal halves.

Answer 5

American Way:

1. Drill a hole with a drill bit and let the milk pour out into a cup.
2. Once dry, cover the coconut in foil and place in oven at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes.
3. Place coconut on hard surface, and lightly tap it with a hammer. It should cave easily, if it does not, put it back in the oven for another 3 minutes, and attempt again.

Eventually it will get soft enough that you can use your fingers to rip it open.


Salvadorian Way:

1. Grab a machete and swing it down hard unto the coconut.
2. Try to pull it enough to drain the milk.
3. Grab the coconut, put way over your head, quickly bring it down to the floor and let it SMASH.
4. Pick up and eat.

Answer 6

Best way is with a meat mallot or a small hammer. First, puncture the coconut at the dimple with a small knife ( I actually use a 1d nail) just piercing it enough to drain the water inside. After you drain it, smash away. Be careful when you pry the meat of the coconut from the shell, those little pieces are sharp!

Answer 7

Use a hammer and nail to poke holes in the top (there are 3 indentations where you can do this) so that the milk can be drained out.

Then, when it's completely drained, you can smash it with a hammer. The best place to do this is outside. Put the coconut in a piece of cloth or bag so that the pieces don't fly everywhere and get dirty.

Answer 8

I looked this up recently on http://www.foodnetwork.com

you can either throw the coconut on the sidewalk and it will crack or if you want the juice inside, use a clean drill and drill directly into the indents on the top. drain the liquid and then crack. Bake in the oven for a few minutes to soften the outside and grate the meat out.

Answer 9

you hold the coconut in the palm of your hand and you hit it with a object and the slightly turn it to the other side and hit it again, this will crack the coconut open for you

Answer 10

Hammer and screwdriver... tap the screwdriver into the coconut on an end, making a hole to empty the milk. then on the side of coconut tap until split.

Answer 11

My answer of course has always been refuted, but how can a lava stream cutting through the coconut fail? I mean, it's lava, that stuff can go through almost everything! Sure volcanoes aren't everywhere, but niether are coconuts!