How to tell if a coconut is good

Coconuts are known for their benefits, but it is rare to hear about when they have gone bad. How can you tell if the Coconut is bad or not? Please read on, dear reader!

Let’s first look at some tips for selecting a good coconut. It’s just as important to know what’s good about a coconut as it is to know what’s bad, so let’s begin here.

Tips For Selecting A Young Coconut

Let’s first take a closer look at the young coconuts, also known as Thai coconuts. They are sold in many stores across the country. The outer green layer (husk), which covers the white interior, is usually removed to reveal it.

Color is the most important thing to consider. When it comes to coconuts, the whiter they are, the better. The coconuts should be “bright” with no dullness, and they shouldn’t show any signs of discoloration.

As they age, the tops (the pointed end) are usually the first to brownish. The whiter the Coconut is, the fresher and more tasty it will be.

When looking at color, keep in mind that green is usually okay and pink is not. The green color is usually the remnants of a coconut’s husk. A pinkish tone is a sign that it is not in good condition.

It is not always possible to get the perfect Coconut because they are imported from far away. You may need to accept some yellowing, even if it’s not ideal. You can choose the best Coconut based on its color, but there are other factors to consider.

If you’re looking for coconuts that are ultra-white with minimal discoloration, then they must be free of any mold. Many store-bought coconuts are marked with mold (usually the underside), which is a sign that the coconuts inside may not be in good condition. These coconuts should be thrown out, and you should keep looking. (2)

When inspecting coconuts in the store, look for any visible holes, cracks, or splits. It’s likely that if the outside casing is damaged, the interior will be as well. These should be thrown away.

Give the bottom of the Coconut a light push with your thumb. You can expect a slight give on the underside of young coconuts, but beware of those that are too soft.

How to Select a Mature Coconut

Next, mature coconuts. The ripe coconuts are those with the outer “hairy” brown husk. They may be more familiar than the younger variety.

These are a bit different to select for a few reasons, but mostly because they’re still in the husks. There’s no way to check for whiteness, but you can look for other signs.

Shake your Coconut until it is mature. You should hear liquids sloshing inside. Coconut water is a nutrient-rich drink that has been sweeping the West over the past decade. The more water you have in your coconuts, the better.

You can also tell by the weight of the Coconut if it has enough water. Fresh coconuts will be heavier than their size. It may take some trial and error if you have never seen coconuts before, but soon, you will be able to tell the difference. The heaviest coconuts will have the most delicious coconut water.

Cracked shells should be avoided, just as with coconuts that are not mature. Cracks in the coconut shell indicate that the interior has likely been exposed to fungus, bacteria, and other undesirable germs. If you buy a coconut that has a cracked outer shell, it is likely to be moldy once you open it at home. It’s not good.

Check the outer husk to see if there are any signs of water. The cracks can sometimes be small and invisible. Feeling the Coconut to check for dampness is a good way to determine if the outer shell is damaged. These should also be thrown away.

Check the eyes. Coconuts do have eyes. You’ll know what I mean if you turn an adult coconut upside-down. Three spots will appear on the undersides of the coconuts, similar to the holes in a bowling ball.

The Coconut has “eyes.” One of the eyes will be softer because the shell there is thinner. It is the best place to check for freshness.

Mold around the eyes can be a problem. It should be clean and brown and not dusty and light-colored. Coconuts that have such issues will be, at best, sour and, at worst, completely rotten. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

How to tell if a coconut is bad

We’ve done our best to choose the freshest coconuts at the store. But there’s one catch: you can’t tell their true quality until you crack them open and look inside.

This video shows you how to open coconuts using tools that are available in most homes. (I’d wash the screwdriver and sterilize it before opening the Coconut, but I wouldn’t do this.)

As you drain the water out of the Coconut, perform the first test for freshness: How does it smell?

Fresh coconuts will have a sweet, clean smell. If it doesn’t smell like alcohol, or if it has a musty aroma, then it is likely that the Coconut you have is spoiled. In this situation, your only options are to throw away the Coconut or return it to the shop. It’s not a good idea to eat it.

Sometimes, when you fully open the Coconut, you will see that it has discolored flesh. This is not a good sign, and you will have to throw away the nut. The same goes for mold.

You shouldn’t worry if you think this task is ambiguous and that you might not be able to spot a bad coconut. Once you crack open the shell, bad coconuts smell pretty strong. You’ll be able to tell if the smell spoils a coconut.

How long do coconuts last?

You may wonder, How long can coconuts be kept once they are opened? Let’s see what we can find out.

A coconut that has been opened can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. However, you can keep it in the freezer for 6-8 months. Coconuts’ shelf life will depend largely on how you keep them. Let’s look at this too.