The right coconut for the job

Green or water coconut

For a refreshing drink

Put a straw in a green or water coconut for coconut water. If the green coconut has been husked, it’s a young coconut with liquid you can sip.

Groovy Coconut

For a refreshing tropical taste

Slice, scoop, shred this mature coconut to toss or add to almost any dish. It takes a bit more effort, but it’s worth it.

Dried or desiccated coconut

Almost any packaged coconut is dried. With less water, look for higher levels of fat.
Watch also for added sugars and preservatives.

Know UR coconuts

Green or Water Coconuts Before it matures or ripens, the coconut is called a green or water coconut. The liquid inside is enjoyed as a sports drink. If the green coconut has been husked (outside shell removed), it’s called a young coconut and must be kept refrigerated. More on green coconuts…

Groovy Coconuts  These are mature coconuts that have been husked. As the coconut matures, the insides solidify to form coconut meat. The liquid inside is no longer coconut water but used to make coconut milk.

The liquid inside a Groovy Coconut helps keep the coconut’s insides moist. So when selecting a coconut, it’s important to shake a coconut and listen for the liquid inside. If there’s “sloshing” inside and if the coconut feels heavy for its sizes, it should be a great coconut for slicing, scooping or shredding as you desire. More on selecting a mature coconut…

Desiccated or Dried Coconuts (copra)  With very little moisture, desiccated coconut has the highest total fat and saturated fat content of all coconuts (immature and mature). Dried coconut is found in almost all packaged coconut that does not require refrigeration. So the packaged shredded coconut you sprinkle on a cake and the bag of coconut chips you snack on are examples of dried coconut. Check the package ingredients for added sugars, whiteners, and preservatives.  Dried coconut is a common ingredient in many soaps and cosmetics.