Learning how to open a young coconut is easier than you think! With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy fresh, sweet coconut water right at home. Skip store-bought bottles that are full of sugar and try my easy method!

A hand holding a young coconut with a glass straw inserted, surrounded by coconut husk pieces on a wooden table.

Tip: Once opened, you can use the coconut water to make these fun and refreshing coconut jelly cubes!

The Thai method for opening coconuts

In this post, I’m sharing the authentic Thai method for cracking open fresh coconuts—just like we do here in Thailand!

Living in Thailand and being part of a traditional Thai family, I’ve learned the best method to do it straight from the expert herself—my grandmother. She makes it look effortless, and now I’m passing her tips on to you.

Here’s what you’ll need

Two fresh young coconuts placed on a wooden table next to a cleaver.

A large, sharp cleaver
A sturdy work surface with a cutting board

Step-by-step image instructions

A cleaver cutting through the side of a young coconut on a wooden table.

Step 1: Place the young coconut on a sturdy cutting board, making sure it’s stable. Hold it firmly with one hand and angle your sharp cleaver at the top of the coconut, about an inch below the pointed tip.

A young coconut with its bottom cut flat for stability, placed on a wooden surface.

Step 2: Use the meat cleaver to slice off the fibrous outer layer from the top of the coconut. Work your way around the tip until you reveal a flat, smooth surface.

Side-by-side images showing the process of trimming a young green coconut with a cleaver, removing the outer fibrous layer to expose the smooth shell.

Step 3: Make a firm cut into the pointy side of the coconut, angling the cleaver slightly inward. Remove that piece, then keep cutting around the sides. Trim away the fibrous husk bit by bit until you see the smooth, hard shell underneath.

Step 4: Place the coconut on a cutting board with the trimmed side facing up. Hold it steady with one hand and use the cleaver to make a shallow cut into the side of the exposed top.

Trimming the top of a young coconut with a cleaver.

Step 5: Continue making four cuts in a square shape on the top of the coconut, connecting the lines to create a clean and even opening. Hold the coconut firmly in place as you work, keeping the cuts shallow to avoid piercing too deeply into the shell. For added safety, you can position the knife and tap it with a pestle or another sturdy object to make the cut

A pestle bashing on the back of a cleaver to open the top of a young coconut.

Step 6: Place the cleaver into one of the square cuts and gently tap it with a pestle or another sturdy tool to guide it into the shell.

A young green coconut opened with the top removed, showing fresh coconut water inside and a glass straw ready for sipping.

Step 7: Lift off the square top you’ve cut and admire your beautifully opened coconut! Pop in a straw to sip the refreshing, sweet coconut water straight away. To enjoy the tender coconut flesh, carefully cut the coconut in half using your cleaver, then scoop out the flesh with a spoon.

Conclusion

And that’s it! Opening a young coconut at home is easier than you think with just a little practice. Now you can enjoy fresh coconut water and scoop out the soft, delicious flesh anytime you want. Sip it straight away or use it in one of my Thai recipes, enjoy!