How to choose and clean coconut?

A delicious nut with an unusual taste and aroma is increasingly used in cooking by housewives even from those countries for which the growth of the product is not characteristic. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to peel a coconut, so the creation of delicious delicacies often ends with spoiled nerves and even injuries.

In practice, everything is not so complicated, you just need to take into account some of the nuances of the process and choose the right tools. If desired, the coconut can be cleaned so gently that the shell will not be damaged at all. Then it can be used as a container for serving exotic dishes and cocktails, a container for storing bulk products.

What should I look for in the process of choosing a coconut in order to get a fresh and tasty nut?

It all starts with the acquisition of a suitable nut. Many believe that in this case everything depends on luck, but there are several points that can facilitate the selection process and reduce the risk of buying a low-quality product to a minimum.

• First we conduct a visual inspection of the nut. It should be uniform in color and structure, without cracks and dents, drips of milk. On one side there are three clogged holes. If a fresh smell emanates from them and there are no traces of mold around, the specimen is fresh.
• Next, coconut needs to be shaken. If the manipulation is accompanied by a noticeable splashing of liquid in the nut, there is no doubt in its quality. The lack of fullness indicates that the nut is spoiled.
• If the purchase took place, the coconut was peeled, and the inside was a yellowish flesh covered with brownish spots, it is better to discard the product. Its use will not bring any pleasure, and the risk of poisoning is very high.

Tip: In the case of coconuts, the rule applies - the more the better. Considering the fact that in most stores nuts are sold individually, and not by weight, you can safely start the selection with the largest copies. Usually they turn out to be the freshest, fullest and resistant to negative moments during transportation and storage.

Affordable and Effective Nut Cleansing Techniques at Home

At home, you can peel a nut in one of several ways. The choice depends on the desired result and the availability of appropriate tools.

• How to clean coconut with a screwdriver and a hammer. First, we find on the surface of the nut the three points already mentioned and push one of them with a screwdriver, if necessary, help ourselves with a hammer. Through the formed hole, drain the liquid and begin to clean the fetus. We lay several layers of towels on the countertop, lay out the coconut, fix it with our hand and begin to tap on the surface with a hammer, causing the formation of cracks. When the nut breaks into two or more parts, put them in a shell on a baking sheet and place it in a preheated oven for a quarter of an hour. Thanks to this simple trick, it will be much easier to clean the nut.

• Complete removal of the shell with a hammer without damaging the kernel. Quite a complicated and troublesome method that requires proven skills and a certain strength. Take a coconut in one hand and a hammer in the other. Holding the fetus tightly, we begin to knock on it with a hammer, constantly turning the product in the shell. After some time, the durable carapace becomes covered with cracks and then it can be easily cleaned, leaving the core itself intact. Having received the desired core, gently pierce it in the right place and drain the juice. Next, cut the flesh into the desired pieces and use as intended.

• Using a hacksaw to maximize shell preservation.An option that needs to be cleaned with coconut, if then it is planned to use the shell with decorative purposes. First, milk is drained from the nut, then several notches are made along the perimeter of the shell, along which it will be necessary to saw the material. It is important to understand that nuts sawn close to the top of the head look very attractive, but it will take a long and problematic to pull out the coconut flesh from them. A very thin and sharp hacksaw is used to remove the cap. With a large tool, work will go faster, but there is a high risk of forming unaesthetic chips. Breaking the shell after doing most of the work is also not recommended for the same reason.

To clean the inside of the nut from the pulp, it is best to use spoons of various sizes and diameters, rather than sharp tools. The pulp will leave without problems if you slightly dry the opened coconut in the oven, microwave or hold for some time in a dry container in a water bath. The main thing is not to overexpose the product, otherwise it will lose its juiciness and converge only on crumbs for confectionery.

First, it will take a lot of time to peel the coconut. After a little practice, confidence will come and work will go much faster. The main thing is not to rush and find exactly your approach, which will be the least troublesome and will give the desired result.

The shell left from the coconut can be used in the manufacture of home-made decorative ornaments; oversized indoor flowers that do not need drainage look attractive in whole products. Some craftsmen make aquarium catfish feeders and whole sets of dishes of unusual design from durable material.