Open a Coconut

Part I: Drain the liquid

Collecting the coconut milk means that your kitchen will stay a lot drier.

1. Find the three "eyes" of the coconut, on the smaller end of the shell.
2. Take that clean screwdriver, and tap the end of it about two inches into one of the eyes with the knife or hammer. If you use a knife, use the back of it to tap the end of the screwdriver through.
3. Remove the screwdriver, and pour the liquid off into the glass.

Part II: Crack the shell

There's a natural fracture point on the coconut's shell which will become apparent as you follow these steps:

1. Place the coconut on a flat surface, and locate a point about a third of the way from the smaller end.
2. Take the knife and give that spot on the coconut a light whack with the back of the knife blade. Rotate slightly and hit the coconut again the same distance from the end.
3. Repeat this several times as you rotate it on the surface.

Once you see the fracture develop, insert the tip of the knife into it and pry upwards. The coconut should separate in such a way that you can easily get at the white "meat."

from learn2.com