Nature’s Sport Drink-Coconut Water

Sipping From a Young Coconut

Young Coconut Juice-Perfect Beverage?

What is it?  Coconut water (nutrient dense beverage) is the clear liquid inside a young coconut.  As the fruit matures, the liquid is replaced with the coconut meat and air.

My friend, Lisa Harrison, in Santa Monica, California showed me this wonderful treat.  We stopped at a little asian market and she bought a case of young coconuts which are carefully prepared with the outer green husk removed.  She took a big butcher knife and whacked off the top of the coconut, poured the liquid straight into my awaiting juice glass.  (I would suggest checking out this YouTube video about opening up a young coconut) The young meat inside the coconut was scooped out, blended into a smoothie with a banana.  Wow! This is so refreshing and tasty.  It has a nutty/almond flavor.  Not really the typical “coconut” flavor that is comes from the mature coconut meat that is shredded.  It was a pleasant surprise and did I mention refreshing…yes, I did, but worth another mention.

Coconut water is the perfect ISOTONIC beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood.  In fact, as my friend explained, it was used during the Pacific War of 1941-45 with both sides using the liquid siphoned directly from the nut- to give emergency transfusions to wounded soldiers.  Cocunut water/juice can help your body replenish its electrolytes.  Electrolytes allow for the proper functioning of cells by carrying electrical impulses.  Potassium, in particular, regulates blood pressure and heart function.  Severe electrolyte imbalances can lead to heart failure and even death.  Coconut water is naturally sterile; water permeates through the filtering husk.

Cocunut water is “real food” and nutrient dense, meaning that it is not highly processed nor does it have things added back into it.  It’s great all by itself.   It’s made without extra sweetener because it is naturally delicious.  It is full of natural sugars, salts, and vitamins and low carb.  Drinking coconut water helps keep the body cool and can naturally re-hydrate.

A recommend a google search for coconut water (different than the milk)  if you want learn more about it.  Since I have tried unsuccessfully locating a source for young coconuts I occasionally buy it bottled.  Top Food and Drug in Olympia stocks a delicious canned all natural Coconut Juice by “Amy & Brian,”(local distributors) in the juice isle.  They also sell the coconut water canned at the Olympia Co-op.

Amy and Brian Brand Coconut Juice Can-Purchased @ Top Food on the Westside

Its sells for $ 8.79 for a six pack of 10 oz cans.  That’s about $ 1.46 each.  Not bad.  Ingredients: Young Coconut Juice.  That’s it, just plain and simple, but yet so refreshing.