Discover 12 Ways to Use Coconut That Will Transform Your Health and Cooking!

Coconuts are not just for macaroons anymore, my friends. Mounds bars step aside… and even Thai curries, for a minute, can take a backseat to this proclamation. We’ve gathered here today to pontificate upon the many splendid wonders of coconuts.

Now, for some reason, it seems to be a rare day to discover an actual coconut fruit in the modern pantry/fridge. Even so, coconut products, especially milk (and the ice cream from it) and oil, have made big splashes in recent healthy food marketing. And for good reason: the health benefits of coconut are many. They can build your immunity and are full of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and amino acids.

Just check out all the ways you can use this healthful, hairy little fruit beyond just the store-bought coconut milk:

1. Coconut Meat

Some say shredded. Others want it toasted, but I just like to grab a hunk of raw coconut, straight out of the shell, and snack on it.  The health benefits are well documented now, all that shellac about medium-chain triglycerides rather than run-of-the-mill bad saturated fats. But the point here is that just raw coconut meat is absolutely delicious.

Want to jazz it up a bit? This coconut bacon has become a favorite meal addition at my dinner table, or just eaten by the odd handful when passing by the kitchen.

Recipe for Toasted Coconut Meat:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Shred fresh coconut meat and spread it evenly on a baking sheet.
3. Bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.

2. Homemade Coconut Milk and Yogurt

Sure, it’s available at your nearest grocery store, but ladies and gentlefolk, let me assure you that whipping up some coconut milk is not beyond the average cook’s capabilities. It’s got a rich, creamy flavor that some would say even outdoes cream itself. Awesome in coffee.

No one is leaving you hanging here. Follow this link to easy-to-do recipes for coconut milk and yogurt. Trust me, stuff always tastes better when you make it yourself.

3. Coconut Water

Regular old tap water? Bottled water? Forget about both! Forget about Gatorade, Powerade, and others from the “ade” family. Coconut water comes in all-natural and biodegradable packaging, with no added sugar, and with a healthy dose of electrolytes.

Coconut water is low in calories and has loads of potassium, B vitamins, natural salts, and amino acids. It’s good stuff and doesn’t need fluorescent colors or berry fresh names to sell itself. And, it tastes fantastic. It comes from younger coconuts and should be enjoyed whenever possible.

DIY Coconut Water:

1. Choose a young coconut (available at stores).
2. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut a hole in the top.
3. Pour the coconut water into a glass and enjoy fresh.

4. Coconut Oil

This stuff is no doubt on the upswing, with a benefits list that just seems to be growing and mutating. It’s healthy for hair, for digestion, for wounds, and for skin. Not to mention, it tastes really good and is excellent for cooking at high temperatures, when, technically, olive oil shouldn’t be used.

Truth be told, making coconut oil — or any oil for that matter — is not the easiest of processes. That said, it is possible to do at home, and doing so doesn’t require any special equipment.

Coconut Oil Recipe:

1. Start with dried coconut meat (copra) and blend it in a food processor until it turns into a creamy paste.
2. Continue blending until the oil separates from the solids.
3. Strain through a cheesecloth and store in a jar.

5. Coconut Butter

Easy to make, and think something similar to peanut butter in texture and use. Take the coconut meat (or shredded coconut) and blend it until it gets creamy and nice. Then, throw it in smoothies or on funky jam sandwiches.

• In the garden, I’ve seen the soft outer shells used for liners for hanging baskets, the hard shells for little biodegradable planter pots, and the fibrous husks for mulch.
• Husks can also be used for soundproofing, stuffing (for cushions), and carpets/ mats. A company from the States uses it to prevent land erosion, and the Japanese use it as a water filter.
• Coconut shells can be used for beautiful “woodwork” products, especially jewelry, bowls, and candle holders.

Suffice it to say, these little fur balls are handy to have around. Tell us how you use yours in the comments, both for health and lifestyle purposes.

Coconut Recipes

• Creamy Coconut Panna Cotta [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
• Mini Vanilla Bean Pavlovas With Coconut Whip and Raspberries [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
• How to Make Coconut Yogurt in a Dehydrator
• Raw Matcha Coconut Cream Pie [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
• Raw Matcha Coconut Cream Pie [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
• Raw Matcha Coconut Cream Pie [Vegan, Gluten-Free]
• Coconut Vanilla Cake [Vegan]
• Raspberry and Coconut Glazed Doughnuts [Vegan, Raw, Gluten-Free]
• Raspberry Vanilla Cupcakes With Coconut Cream Frosting [Vegan]
• Easy Coconut Curry Ramen [Vegan, Gluten-Free]