Have you ever wondered how to open a coconut? Because we all know that nothing beats fresh coconut! 

Coconut water is so refreshing and the meat is delicate and sweet—perfect for cooking and baking. Many people shy away from fresh coconuts, however, because they are unsure of how to open them.

Opening a coconut is not hard, but it does require a little know-how. Without a tactical plan, you’ll end up smashing the coconut (or your fingers). There are a few different ways to open a coconut, and we will show you our two favorite methods below.

What Is A Coconut?

A coconut is the fruit of the coconut palm, a tree belonging to the palm family. Botanically, it’s classified as a drupe, not a true nut, due to its fleshy outer layer and fibrous husk surrounding a hard inner shell. Inside this shell is the edible “meat” and a liquid known as coconut water. 

Coconuts are renowned for their versatility, with every part of the fruit and tree having various uses, from culinary ingredients to building materials.

Originating from tropical regions, coconuts have spread globally and are now cultivated in many warm climates. They are a staple food source for millions, providing essential nutrients, healthy fats, and electrolytes. 

Beyond direct consumption, coconut products like coconut milk, oil, flour, and sugar are widely used in cooking and in the cosmetic and health industries. 

The coconut has a significant economic and cultural importance worldwide.

How To Open A Coconut: The Common Way

Step 1:

Using a skewer or a screwdriver, poke the 3 eyes at the stem-end of the coconut to find which one is the softest. Once you locate the softest eye, use your skewer or screwdriver to create a small hole about 1/2 inch in diameter.

Step 2:

Over a small bowl or cup, pour the coconut water out of the hole. You may need to shake the coconut to get all of the water out.

Step 3:

Once the water is drained from the coconut, hold the coconut in your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, use a hammer or meat mallet to firmly hit the coconut around its perimeter until it cracks in half.

Step 4:

Place both halves of the coconut flesh-side down on a cutting board. Tap the coconut shell with your hammer or mallet to loosen the flesh from the shell.

Step 5:

Using a butter knife or a spoon, pry away the coconut meat from the coconut shell. If you’d like, you can use a vegetable peeler to remove the brown skin from the meat. Now the coconut meat is ready to use.

How To Open A Coconut: Using Only A Knife

Step 1:

Working over a small bowl, use the back of a chef’s knife to firmly hit the coconut around its perimeter until it cracks in half. Let the coconut water drain into the bowl. Once you have collected all of the water from the coconut, set your bowl aside.

Step 2:

Begin working over a medium bowl. Hold one of the coconut halves in your non-dominant hand. With your dominant hand, hold your chef’s knife. With the back of your chef’s knife, firmly hit the coconut shell repeatedly until it cracks into smaller pieces. Repeat until the entire coconut is broken down into small pieces (about 2 or 3 inches each).

Step 3:

Use a butter knife to pry away the coconut meat from the coconut shell. If you’d like, you can use a vegetable peeler to remove the brown skin from the meat. Now the coconut meat is ready to use.

We like this method because you do not need a screwdriver or any other special tools. Either method is effective, however, so simply use whichever one works best for you.

Now that we have shown you two ways to open a coconut, the key is to approach it with confidence and a bit of patience. So go ahead, grab a coconut, and give it a try – you might just discover a new favorite healthy snack!

Favorite Ways to Enjoy Coconut

• Coconut Shrimp with Minneola Salsa
• Cantaloupe Agua Fresca
• Thai Curried Sweet Potato Soup
• Nectarine Oatmeal
• Homemade Coconut Milk
• Coconut Body Scrub

Find more inspiration and tips and tricks from our Pinterst and Instagram.