Coconut water has long been served as a refreshing beverage in many countries in South America and Southeast Asia and it is also gaining acceptance in the US. This water tastes good, it is loaded with nutrition and it is natural. It also contains few calories and contains essential minerals that help with dehydration due to exercise or other reasons. Coconut juice is rich in potassium, a mineral that is needed for optimal heart function and normal blood pressure. This water also contains magnesium and calcium and not fat and no cholesterol. It also contains little sodium. Its natural occurring sugars, 14 gr per serving, are a fraction of most soft drinks.
In the 1940's coconut water was given intravenously (American Journal of Diseases in Children and The American Journal of Emergency Medicine) to treat dehydration.
Coconut water is different from coconut milk which is a thick, cream-like liquid commonly used in Thai food cooking. Coconut water is obtained from young green coconuts and most of the supply come from Brazil.
Source: "Coconut Water for Health and Healing" by Bruce Fife, ND
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Extraction:
Coconut Water and Coconut Milk are different. Coconut water (known as endosperm) is carefully extracted from "young" (still green coconuts) This water-like liquid is fat free and low in calories, but is a good source of potassium and other nutrients.
Coconut milk is made by pureeing a mixture of coconut meat and coconut water, then straining it to remove some of the fat. A second straining will yield a lower fat coconut milk.
Coconut cream is made in the same way as coconut milk, but it is made with a higher ratio of coconut to water. This should not be confused with cream of coconut which is the creamy liquid often added to pina coladas (and various other drinks and dishes). Though it starts out as coconut cream, sugars and stabilizers are added to give it an especially creamy consistency and to make it more palate-pleasing in drinks and desserts.
What do each look like and their respective nutritional value/use?
Coconut Water: If the liquid is clear and has the consistency of water then it is coconut water and is good to drink as a healthy beverage and is 99% fat free.
Coconut Milk: If the liquid is white and has the consistency of thick, cows, milk then it is coconut milk and is good to use in tropical drinks and to replace milk in recipes. It is high in fat although some companies offer a "lite" version.
Coconut Cream: If the liquid is white and almost solid with the consistency of whipped butter then it is coconut cream and can be used to make coconut oil, as a replacement for butter or eaten as a spread.
(great oil substitute for cooking too)
Here is a list of best Coconut Water products:
Zico: http://www.zico.com/ (I get this drink for the kids lunch boxes) Great taste!
Amy and Brian Coconut Juice: http://amyandbriannaturals.com/ (although sold as coconut juice, it is really coconut water) - Tastes good. The pulp-free version has a slightly sweeter taste than other brands
Harvest Bay: http://www.harvest-bay.com/productlist.aspx?catid=Coconut+Water Great taste for the pure coconut water. There are other one with mixed fruits
O.N.E. http://www.onenaturalexperience.com/ similar in taste as ZICO
Vita Coco: http://www.vitacoco.com/ contains a little more of potassium and fewer sugars than other brands
June 1, 2009 - 10:49pmThis Comment
Hello Coach Virginia!
Thank you so much for such an interesting post! I had also read that coconut milk is very pure. Do you happen to know how the water differs from the milk and then also where I might be able to buy some? I'd love to give it a try! M
May 31, 2009 - 11:58pmThis Comment
Hi, Michelle:
Coconut milk is sold in whole foods markets, health food stores and grocers with a good selection of ethnic foods. I've always seen it canned.
Coconut oil is also great for cooking. :))
June 1, 2009 - 4:37pmThis Comment
I love coconut, and I have been thinking that I was drinking something somewhat unhealthy (read: caloric), as I found this wonderful juice at one of our local "health food grocery stores". There are several flavors, but it is 100% juice, and my favorite is the Coconut Pineapple juice. It tastes like a pina colada, and reminds me of the beach. Glad to hear there are some health benefits to drinking this juice, too! I need to make sure the juice is from coconut water and not coconut milk...thanks for informing us of the distinction.
May 31, 2009 - 1:18pmThis Comment
I'm not a coconut fan but this CAN be a great source of hydration if you are in a carribean country/region with poor water.
May 31, 2009 - 11:17amThis Comment
Thanks for the share. I am always looking for new drinks being a coconut lover, I would certainly try it. The best part of it, is there would be no added sugars...PERFECT!
May 31, 2009 - 10:28amThis Comment