Post #600174 by jingleheimerschmidt on Sun, Jul 31, 2011 7:20 PM

Fresh young coconuts, ideally purchased from a reputable source, will be bright white with no mold or exceptionally soft spots on the bottom. To open, use a machete, hatchet, or knife you don't care about. I use a wood shake hatchet (half hatchet, half hammer). Weight is an attribute. Carefully remove the husk (the white part) so you see the wood of the nut. Hit the top in a circle fashion in an approx 2-3" diam with intention but not Conan like force. You want to crease the opening not destroy it. Once you've gone all the way around, pry the top open. The water should be sweet and coconut flavored. Salty is no bueno. Coconuts contain a lot of electrolytes IIRC.

FYI, thai or vietnamese stores carry the best. Also, a golden jamaican rum with fresh coconut milk (nothing else) is sublime.

Also, the coconuts you show look really old. Young coconuts have thin jelly like meat.

[ Edited by: jingleheimerschmidt 2011-07-31 19:21 ]