I have a new addiction. A fresh, young green coconut! It's my new favourite drink.
Coconut water is clear (unlike coconut milk) and tastes sweet and fresh. It’s nature's best electrolyte and amazingly, can even be used as blood plasma substitute because it is “sterile, does not produce heat, does not destroy red blood cells and is readily accepted by the body”. (source: Coconut Board)
Nutritionally, it’s a good source of Vitamin C, Riboflavin and Calcium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Magnesium, Potassium and Manganese.
If you’re going on honeymoon on a tropical island, make sure you try one plucked straight from the tree. (Here’s a video on our Honeymoon Testers blog on a fruit plantation) It will be fresh, delicious and surprisingly cold. It doesn’t need any embellishments, except maybe a straw.
If you can get the real thing at home – great! They can be sourced from Asian markets and just inspect them carefully for any mould or signs of decay as they can be shipped from very far away and could be old.
It can be a hassle opening them, but I found this very handy video which makes it look really easy.
Of course, if you are lazy (like me), can’t find the real thing or they are prohibitively expensive where you live then you can buy pre-packaged Tetra packs. Just look for the ones without sugar and the most natural processing you can find.
They are great in smoothies, juices or just by themselves! YUM! See my gorgeous friend Jacqui enjoying one right off the tree in Zanzibar!
Photo credit: Jacqui Evans
