Coconut water is the liquid endosperm inside young tender coconuts. As the coconut matures this liquid largely becomes absorbed into the flesh found in mature coconuts. Coconut water has long been a popular drink in the tropics. It is naturally fat-free and low in food energy (16.7 calories or 70 kJ per 100 g). Due to its sterility, pH, mineral, and sugar content, coconut water had been successfully used as liquid in intravenous therapy in emergency situations.

Coconut water can be found in regular cans or tetra paks, and is also marketed as a sports drink because of its high potassium and mineral content which helps the body recover from rigorous exercise.

Fresh coconuts for drinking should be young and green, and are generally still attached to the tree. While there are various preferences for the taste of coconut water, generally a green coconut with some age spots tastes good. Coconuts from various parts of the world also differ in taste. For example, Indian coconuts tend to be salty where Brazilian coconuts have a sweeter water and flesh.^*

Once the young coconut has been safely removed from the tree, cutting an end down so it is flat with a knife, and then sectioning out a center hole works well to access the juice. In young coconuts the juice may actually be under some pressure, and will spray slightly when the inner husk is first penetrated. Despite high heat and sandy soil, coconuts can have a reasonable amount of liquid inside. If a green coconut has fallen to the ground, check that insects or rats have not eaten or rotted the coconut, evidenced by an obvious hole or a less obvious but significant dark brown rotted area, which makes the water inside taste bitter.

Coconuts for drinking are also packaged and sold in many places. These are typically Thai coconuts whose outer green husk has been removed, and the remainder wrapped in plastic.

See also

• Coconut cream
• Coconut milk
• Tender coconut

References

• Campbell-Falck D, Thomas T, Falck TM, Tutuo N, Clem K (2000). The intravenous use of coconut water. Am. J. Emerg. Med. 18 (1): 108-11. PMID 10674546.
• Ranti IS, Kwee TIEN BOH, Thio IN LIANG, Tan ENG HOEY (1965). Coconut water for intravenous fluid therapy. Paediatr Indones. 5 (3): Suppl: 782-92. PMID 5873766.
• Georg A. Petroianu, Melita Kosanovic, Ibrahim Saad Shehatta, Bahaa Mahgoub, Ayman Saleh, Wolfgang H. Maleck (2004). Green coconut water for intravenous use: Trace and minor element content. Journal of Trace Elements in Experimental Medicine 17 (4): 273-82. PMID 14824551.C
• http://www.onenaturalexperience.com ^*