How to make a coconut milk

Movie related to this post: Making Coconut Milk (for dummies)

During our stay in “The Last Resort” in Northern Belize we are learning new things every day. Trying vegetables and fruits we have never seen before, observing tropical animals (tarantulas, scorpions, etc). We will stay in the holiday resort for one more week or two, as we have to finish creating them a website and helping to promote the place on the Internet.
One of the new things we have learned here – is the process of making a coconut milk from the coconuts collected around. In this letter we will step-by-step explain the procedure of making a fresh coconut milk. 🙂
Let us know if you will succeed to follow our description and do the milk yourselves 🙂

1. FINDING THE COCONUT-TREE
The coconut-tree will look more or less like this one.
High in the tree you will see green unriped fruits.
And at the bottom of the plant you might find some of fallen nuts.
If you leave them untouched, they will sprout into a new tree.
2. CHECKING TO FIND THE JUICE IN THE COCONUT
Shake the nut and listen for the splashing noise inside the fruit.
Select the ones with the water inside.
Bring them to the sharp wooden pole.
It is really sharp… 🙂
3. PEELING THE SHELL
Peel the shell of the coconut using the wooden pole.
It may take several minutes.
It is a hard job.
However dry fruits will be much easier to peel.
Finally you will reach the main part of the coconut.
4. OPENING THE HUSK
Use a strong sharp tool to open the husk.
Hit in the middle carefully without injuring yourself.
Split the nut into two parts.
This nut was already in the process of growing a plant. The bulb inside is a sweet delicious for the kids.
5. GRINDING THE COCONUT
Use the grinding tool to process the coconut.
One more hard job to do.
Make sure you clean the tool after using it.
Do not forget to taste the coconut after grinding it. 🙂
6. SEPARATING THE FAT
Pour cold water as much as it covers grinded coconut.
Pour a little bit of hot water. It will make the fat to separate easier.
For few minutes…
Knead the nut with your hands.
7. FILTERING THE COCONUT MILK
Filter the nut traces from the milk.
8. DRINKING THE MILK!!!
Drink the milk with a pleasure or use it for cooking. It is only good for 1 day though, so consume it quickly!

Last notes about the coconuts:

• The milk from green (unripe) coconuts is a good thirst quencher. However, the milk from mature coconuts contains an oil that acts as a laxative. Drink in moderation only. Drinking too much of this milk may cause you to lose more fluid than you drink. (US Army Survival manual)
• The white coconut meat might be applied for relieving the itching and discomfort caused by insect bites. (US Army Survival manual)
• After pealing the shell of the coconut keep the husk in a dry and cool place. The hot sun will make them to brake and the inside will become winy.
• You may produce an oil from the coconut fat.
• Use the coconut milk the same day! In the fridge the fat will separate from the water and it will become solid. It might be difficult to mix it up again.