HOW TO CRACK OPEN A COCONUT

1. Gather your tools – you'll need a fresh coconut, a towel or glove for a better grip, a sturdy knife and a bowl to collect the coconut water.

2. Locate the coconut's "eyes": Look at the top of the coconut, and you'll notice three small indentations, also known as the "eyes" of the coconut. One of these eyes will be softer than the others.

3. Drain the coconut water: Hold the coconut over a bowl with the softest eye facing downward. Use the tip of the knife or a screwdriver to puncture through the soft eye. Make a small hole, and the coconut water should start draining into the bowl. Set the coconut aside for a few minutes to drain completely.

4. Crack the coconut: Once the coconut water has drained, place the coconut on a towel or hold it with a glove to provide a better grip. With a sturdy knife or machete, carefully strike the middle of the coconut, rotating it around as you hit. Apply enough force to crack the coconut, but be cautious not to hit too hard and injure yourself.

5. Separate the coconut halves: After cracking the coconut, you'll have two halves. To separate them, hold the coconut with one hand, and with the back of the knife or machete, hit the edge of the coconut along its circumference. Gradually work your way around the coconut, striking the edge until the halves separate.

6. Remove the coconut flesh: Now that you have the coconut halves, you can use a butter knife or a coconut scraper to detach the flesh from the shell. Gently insert the knife or scraper between the flesh and the shell, applying pressure to separate them. Work your way around the coconut to remove all the flesh.

THAT'S IT. YOU'VE CRACKED IT

Remember to be cautious while handling the knife, and if you're unsure or uncomfortable doing it yourself, it's always a good idea to ask for a hand, or if you're really struggling, give the coconuts away to a new home and pop down to the shop to buy some coconut milk instead.