How to Open a Coconut the Right Way

Though sweet, refreshing, and wonderfully versatile, store-bought, pasteurized coconut water can get pricy. But if you know how to open a coconut, voilà, that tasty source of vitamins and nutrients is part of the package. Cracking open the hairy husk takes a bit more effort, but the liquid will be richer in flavor, and, as an added bonus, you'll get all that delicious coconut meat inside that's perfect for cooking and baking. Bottom line: Opening a coconut and extracting the water is much easier than it looks—just follow our test kitchen's top tips and tricks.

How to Extract the Water

1. First, locate the three "eyes" at the stem end of the coconut.
2. Then use a screwdriver to test which one is the softest before piercing.
3. Next, invert the coconut over a bowl or glass.
4. Shake if necessary to get all of the water out.

Once it's empty of liquid, it's time to open the coconut to extract the meat.

How to Open a Coconut

Cracking open a coconut to remove the meat might seem like an involved process, but it's actually quite simple. Rich in fiber, vitamin C, and magnesium, the meat is worth saving—and savoring. Our preferred method is to bake and cool the whole coconut, which makes opening it much easier.

Bake

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the whole coconut on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until the hard outer shell begins to crack.
3. Remove the coconut and set it aside until it's cool enough to touch.

Once the coconut has cooled, the next stage in the process is a piece of cake.

Wrap, Tap, and Pry Open

1. Wrap the coconut in a kitchen towel.
2. Holding it with one hand, tap it with the back of a cleaver or chef's knife.
3. Alternatively, hit it with a hammer, in the same place several times before prying it open.

Separate the Meat From the Shell

1. Use a spoon to separate the coconut meat from the shell.
2. Finally, remove the brown skin with a vegetable peeler, if desired.

Then munch the sweet chunks, or shred, grate, or chop the white meat for recipes.

Using Your Coconut

There are countless ways to enjoy the fruit of your labor, from coconut bars and gelato to granola and spiced brittle. And if all of that snacking leaves you parched, just reach for your stash of freshly extracted coconut water. Coconut heaven.