How do you get a coconut OPEN?

I just bought a coconut... for the first time ever. >_> Its all cool looking and stuff...

...AAAaanyway, I was wondering if someone can tell me how exactly I'm supposed to get this thing open? I don't want to smash it to pieces, because I'd like to keep the shells :D and Id like to use the milk in it for something, so I don't want that spilling everywhere either.

Any suggestions? Should I just go at it with a knife?!?? D:

i've always gone for the smash-it-on-the-sidewalk method.  alternately, you can poke holes in the soft spots where it was attached to the husk with a knife or a corkscrew, drain out the milk, then wrap it in a towel and break it with a hammer.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

you can poke holes in the soft spots where it was attached to the husk with a knife or a corkscrew, drain out the milk, then wrap it in a towel and break it with a hammer.

Same suggestion for getting the coconut water but in order to crack the coconut open, I would suggest using the DULL end of a chef's knife (10 - 12 in) to hit the shell with controlled hits in the same spot several times until it cracks. I usually hold the coconut in my hand as I do this but I'm used to doing this.. for safety try placing the coconut on a chopping board on a surface that is about navel height.

Should add that using the knife is best when you want to cut the shell in half.. the knife will not be damaged by doing this but make sure you use the dull side.

Good luck!

what i do is polk the hole but use a chopstick and then just stick the straw in to drink from it.  if you want to eat the flesh, then crack it with a knife using the edge of it, but it has to be one of those really big rectangular knife.

I use a corkscrew to make holes in all three soft spots.  The milk pours out easily.  Then I hit it with a meat mallet to crack it open to get at the meat.  Most times it comes right in half, crossways.  I wish I had one of those nifty, round coconut graters that fit inside the nut and gets the white meat out easily.  If I keep bringing in one use gadgets I'll have no space at all.

haha, use a machete

 

The only time I ever opened a real coconut, I threw it against a palm tree! That worked well!!!

ok so when i was younger i had a friend over for the first time and as we walk into the kitchen we stumble upon my mother with a 3 foot saw over a coconut... i about peed my pants laughing and its the first story my old friend and i always reflect on when we see each other

i have a peruvian machete and i tilt the coconut to its side and i hack the top of.

im an expert no doubt=]

haha

First of all, the liquid in the coconut is coconut water...not milk. If you are expecting it to be similar to what you get in a can...you will be disappointed! Coconut milk is made from pressing coconut flesh multiple times and getting the liquids/oils from the flesh (this is what gives it the lovely creamy consistency).

The liquid in the middle of the coconut (while delicious) is thin and clear (like water)

Your best bet for keeping the shells, drill the holes (corkscrew, drill, screwdriver, whatever) and drain out the liquid...then use a saw (or a very good bread knife-with the serrated blade) to saw it open.

It's not an easy process....but well worth it.

Have fun and enjoy!!!

Original Post by jesusgirl1:

First of all, the liquid in the coconut is coconut water...not milk. If you are expecting it to be similar to what you get in a can...you will be disappointed! Coconut milk is made from pressing coconut flesh multiple times and getting the liquids/oils from the flesh (this is what gives it the lovely creamy consistency).

The liquid in the middle of the coconut (while delicious) is thin and clear (like water)

Your best bet for keeping the shells, drill the holes (corkscrew, drill, screwdriver, whatever) and drain out the liquid...then use a saw (or a very good bread knife-with the serrated blade) to saw it open.

It's not an easy process....but well worth it.

Have fun and enjoy!!!

Hahaha, thanks! After looking up something about coconut milk online I discovered that the liquid inside the coconut is the water, not the milk. :P So, I know. Heh.

I ended up not being able to save the shells... I poked two holes in it like you guys suggested, but the water* wouldn't come out... I had to shake the stupid thing for 10 minutes to get it all, and I was expecting more! Hahaha... oh well. And then I tried to saw it in half with a small hand saw, but it literally would not cut into the coconut. Eventually I just went at it with a hammer like Pgeorgian suggested, covered in a towel, smashing it to bits. The coconut meat is now sitting pretty in my fridge, waiting to be turned into coconut milk. :D

Thanks guys! It's silly that I couldn't get the darn thing open.. maybe when I get another coconut I'll try again :]