Coconut Buying Opening Storing Tips and Tricks

You should know some basic things about coconut buying opening storing before going to buy from grocery stores.

How to Choose a Coconut and How to Open it. A Guide to Buying Coconuts That Are Fresh and Delicious.

Now you reached the exact right place, and I explain coconut buying, opening, and storing. 

Yes! and ultimate guide about coconut, LOL!

Most of them don’t know exactly how to buy a good one and store it for a long time.

I’m from south India (Kerala). We use coconut in all our meals. Yes! Now and then. 

I still remember after marriage breaking a coconut was my challenging task. A lovely coconut story to share with you, haha!

It was like conquering Mount Everest when I broke my first coconut; my nightmare ended peacefully since then.

So after reading this post, no one doesn’t want to face a nightmare!?

I will explain,

• From where to buy coconuts?
• Learn to choose good quality coconuts
• How to break coconut in different methods?
• Best tips to store coconut properly for a long

Coconut Buying Opening Storing Tips and Tricks

From where to buy?

Image by PIRO4D from Pixabay

Before you decide to buy your coconut, make sure that you have a good selection of coconut to choose from. From a good number of items, you can select excellent quality coconut.

Coconuts are delicate and don’t have a long shelf-life, so while they are available online, it’s best to research them thoroughly.

Autumn is the best time to find the lowest prices on fresh coconut.

If you live in an area with perfect growing conditions, it is possible to grow coconuts at home.

It does require patience as it can take about seven years for the palm to fruit.

Learn to choose good quality coconuts

1. Pick some whole big coconut from a pile you are going to choose from.
2. Make sure to pick the ones that don’t have any cracks on their surface.
3. Good ones have water in them, so shake the coconuts and ensure a water jumping sound.
4. A big brown coconut has white meat inside.
5. Green coconut will be filled with more electrolytes that we drink like coconut water.
6. Avoid coconuts with moldy or wet eyes.

How to break coconut in different methods?

There I will introduce two methods to open a coconut

1. By using a machete.
2. By using a hammer

1. By using a Machete

Personally, this is my favorite method! But it is a little scary in the beginning. Gradually you can master it.

Firstly you have to examine the hard lines ( 3 thick lines) on the coconut and beat on it one at a time with a machete’s sharpened side.

In this method, you may get symmetrical pieces. Do it carefully, don’t hurt yourself.

2. By using a hammer

Image by M W from Pixabay

Wrap the whole coconut in a towel. Hit it with a hammer until it breaks and collect the pieces and rinse them.

You will get some unsymmetrical pieces, which will not be convenient for coconut grater.

Coconut meat taking methods

1. Using coconut grater

This is the traditional way to grate a coconut.

You sit on it and start from the sides, then go for inside meat. Always take care of your hands while grating.

Coconut grating is the best method to get pure white grated coconut and coconut milk.

2. Using a knife

Image by Huyền Lương Ngọc from Pixabay

Hold the coconut properly in your left hand and make an inverted v cut using a knife. I like the tailed knife for this.

Using a kinfe helps you to pop that triangle-shaped coconut meat out of the shell.

You can avoid that brown skin using a small knife.

Coconut storing methods

How you store, coconut is going to depend on which form you purchase. The high oil content makes coconut quickly turn rancid if not kept under the proper conditions. You may like this Proper and safe home food storage.

Dry place

You can store a whole coconut with coconut cap for one month.

Arrange in a pyramid shape order and ensure that the coconut cap must face upwards.

The coconut cap helps to protect the eyes of coconut, thus help to stay water for a long time.

The water inside the coconut helps it to stay for a long time.

In the refrigerator

Dried coconut can be stored for 1-2 months, like roasted coconut for curry, etc.

Grated coconut can only last for one day.

In freezer

Grated coconut can be stored in an airtight container for two to three months.

Make small portions and store. Thus you can avoid defrosting and freezing again, which can spoil the whole part.

The whole hemispherical coconut cut can be stored for 4-6 months. This is my favorite method. When you need it, pop it from the freezer and then allow it to defrost.

To get thick coconut milk to add warm water while grinding. Don’t use boiling water; it creates any bursting in your blender, so always be careful while doing it.

Don’t store the coconut in the refrigerator that once had been in the freezer.

Other store-bought coconut products

Coconut is also more easily found in its many processed forms. You can find sweetened and unsweetened shredded coconut or flakes and, less often, diced coconut meat. 

Coconut milk/cream/water

Coconut cream, milk, and water are also sold in most markets. The milk can be found in either cans or cartons. 

The canned variety is richer and tends to separate in the can. The carton version is ready to drink and a popular alternative to dairy milk. 

Storing => It may last for two to four days in the fridge and one month in the freezer.

You can put the leftover milk in an airtight plastic container and freeze it for its long life.

Coconut powder

Once you opened the packet, transfer it into an airtight container or jar.

It will last for six months in the refrigerator and 12 months in the freezer.

Coconut oil

Image by Marie Osaki from Pixabay

Coconut oil is a popular cooking fat option and alternative to butter. It’s sold in solid form but quickly softens and liquefies under heat.

Store coconut oil in an airtight jar or bottle. It will last for 6- 8 months.

Adding 3-4 peppercorn can increase its shelf life.

Adulteration in coconut oil

Take a sample of coconut oil in a glass jar or bowl and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes.

If the oil is pure, you can see that the entire oil will be solidified.

If the sample is adultered, other oils will be seen as a separate layer.

Notes:-

If your coconut smells or tastes wrong or any color change happens, then don’t eat it.

If you get a lousy coconut accidentally while shopping, return it and get your money back.

Fresh coconut meat is a rich source of fiber and protein.

 It provides a fair amount of minerals and vitamins, the most prominent of which are B vitamins.

There you have coconut buying opening storing tips and tricks.

I hope I have included everything. If I have left anything, please let me know.

 I love to hear from you.

I will see you soon in another blog post!

with

❤️

Nasreen

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