Young Coconuts and Virgin "Crackers"

Since being introduced to young coconuts several weeks ago, I have been longing to make a first attempt. Thankfully to some great readers I was alerted of some great places to buy them in bulk. Oriental markets are usually the best. But I first just headed to the health store to buy a couple and try my luck.

This is what they look like.

A young coconut is actually is a young coconut, but the outer green husk has been removed. We shaved off the white husk to reveal the familiar brown, hairy outside of a coconut. Who knew? Who also knew, we would need a hammer and a new knife? Once Brent got the feel, he easily cracked open this little baby.

We had our collection receptacle ready and actually harvested almost 1 1/2 cups of coconut water. Why would you want coconut water you may ask? I also would have asked this question to myself until last year at the Boston Marathon Runners Expo.

Coconut Water an Ideal Sports Drink

The Expo had about every health product imaginable. The only one I was sold on, hook, line and sinker was coconut water. All athletes understand, when working out for extended periods at high intensity, we lose a lot of electrolytes. And if I took anything away from Physiology in College it was that our bodies better have electrolytes or we are sunk.

I struggle however to put down the typical gatorade. They are chock full of high fructose corn syrup, sugar, fructose, cane juice, whatever euphemism you choose, I don't like it. And also food dyes and salt. Lots of salt. Which is an electrolyte. But these drinks tend to be heavy on salt and low on potassium, with little or no other nutritive value.

According to nutritiondata.com coconut water is... very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Vitamin C, Riboflavin and Calcium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Magnesium, Potassium and Manganese.

They claim as a negative the high sodium. However the sodium levels are just right for an electrolyte drink. I began using coconut water in my races last summer. I have just bought it prepackaged until this recent adventure in coconut cracking. Coconut water has also been proven to reduce blood pressure. Scientists believe this is because of its high potassium and vitamin C concentrations. You can bet I will really start pounding this as my pregnancy progresses.

Now on to the "meat." We simple took a spoon and scooped out the inside. The results were a 1/2 cup of gelatinous coconut meat. The taste was pleasant. But I really wanted to try it in was vegan ice cream. It was amazing! My best textured ice cream yet. The flavor this time was Banana Almond Butter Cup. Below you will see a picture of the Almond Butter Cups I made. The recipe came from Everyday Raw, but actually think I can improve it quite a bit. So I will work on it and keep you posted.