I’ve never really paid much attention to coconuts. After all, I live in Northern California. Coconuts don’t exactly grow around here. I remember my grandfather buying one and cracking it open when I was little. It was a complete novelty. Then came the start of my real food education and my new love for coconuts!
No doubt coconut products will stay a staple in our house long after we have graduated from GAPS. Coconut water is one amazing coconut product that has proven to be an extremely pivotal part of the healing journey in our home.
What are the benefits of coconut water?
The clear liquid from the middle of a young, green coconut has a long list of benefits. Coconut water is full of magnesium, potassium, and sodium, making it fantastic for oral re-hydration therapy and preventing dehydration. In fact, it has the highest concentration of electrolytes of anything found in nature, and in the event of an emergency can be put directly into an I.V. Soldiers serving in remote areas of the Pacific during World War II were saved using coconut water.
Coconut water is antibacterial, full of amino acids, helps to remove toxins from the body, and kills intestinal worms. It contains high levels of cytokinins which support cell division and cell regeneration. Even the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has jumped on board in support of coconut water benefits. More than ten years ago it was granted a patent for a bottling process that preserves its nutrients, saying that it “contains the same five electrolytes found in human blood”.
How do you source coconut water?
Once a young, green coconut is cracked and the inside hits the air, the water begins to deteriorate rather rapidly. If bottled properly, it will stay fresh from 10 days to 3 weeks. And regardless of what labels read, it’s on it’s way out when it turns from clear to pink. This means you have to pay attention to how the coconut water is packaged to know if it is worth the money or just a dead, sugar drink inside.
In short, if it comes in a can, if it comes in a tetra pac, or if it comes on the shelf and not refrigerated, there's a 99% chance it is pasteurized, dead, and not worth the money. It needs to have been packaged in a way that it was not heated. Anything shelf stable is going to need either a preservative, or have been pasteurized.
If you can source a young, green coconut, you can harvest the water yourself. You want coconuts that are in the same quality as when they came off the tree. I had a super hard time finding any that were truly raw. If they are big and green, that is perfect. If they have been shaved and are white, they are most likely sprayed in order to preserve them.
I was not able to find an organic coconut in all of Northern California. And growing my own young, green coconuts simply isn't an option for me. While California is full of imported palm trees (often planted next to pines), coconut trees just aren't going to happen. It’s this stubborn climate thing that doesn't allow them to grow.
In the end, I found two sources of coconut water that appear to be entirely raw and preserved properly. They are Exotic Superfoods and Harmless Harvest. My personal favorite is Exotic Superfoods because it comes frozen.
Why would you ferment coconut water?
Coconut water is very high in sugar. If you have trouble with yeast, it may not be a good idea to drink raw coconut water without fermenting it first. In order to capitalize on its amazing healing benefits but not add to the yeast issues, we chose to ferment it at first. Fermenting coconut water eats up the residual sugar, resulting in a vinegary like beverage. Watch out, though. Like other probiotic foods, it is wise to introduce it slowly.
If you would like to give fermented coconut water a shot and not have to make it yourself, I know of one quality brand for purchase — Body Ecology's Cocobiotic. If you want to make ferment it yourself, it’s really easy!
How to Make Fermented Coconut Water
Warm coconut water to 100 degrees. Place in a fermenting jar and add probiotic for starter. For 12 ounces of coconut water I add approximately ¼ teaspoon probiotic. I have successfully used both Biokult and Gutpro. Mix with a wooden spoon and put on a lid. Put it in a warm location and wrap jar with a towel to keep the light out.
Depending on the warmth of your home, it takes an average of 3 days for fermented coconut water to be ready. It is ready for drinking when there is no residual sweet taste left, and the water starts to bubble like a true ferment. There should be a small layer of white foam on the top, and the water will turn cloudy. It should have a vinegar tang with a coconutty aftertaste.
Do you drink coconut water? Do coconut trees grow in your yard making me incredibly jealous? Will you be trying fermented coconut water? Join in below!
This post was featured in 56 Fermented Probiotic Drinks {beyond kombucha & kefir!}.
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Once again I have learned so much in this short article. Freshness, the white ones are sprayed, that it can be put in an IV? Thanks, Wardee and Nichole!
I have been thinking about making water kefir with coconut water, how would that compare to the fermentation that you describe?
Yes, I would like to know how it compares too. When we were making Water Kefir, we were also using coconut water, although know I know which coconut water to be looking for when we start making the Water Kefir again.
Thanks for the article.
I have actually made coconut water kefir only once using standard kefir directions. I made sure the coconut water was room temperature instead of warming it up to 100 because I didn’t want to risk damaging the grains, and then added my grains, covered, and put in a dark place until it was done. The probiotic strains in coconut water kefir are very different than those in a fermented coconut water, so be aware of that if you are trying it for the first time.
Hi! I know this is an old post but hopefully can get an answer here! I have been fermenting coconut water for a while but lately o have been running into a question with the final product. I have been using Exotic Superfoods as the source and a very high quality and potent probiotic that I have successfully used in many other ferments. My coconut water kefir looks perfect, has a pleasant smell and fermented flavor but the consistency is coming out thick! To where when it is being poured it is noticeable. Any insight into why this is happening would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!
That sounds great, have you ever tried fresh coconut?
I’ve tried coconut water a few times & I have always found it quite unpalatable. Every time I see it on store shelves I’m amazed that it sells, because I don’t understand how people could want to drink the stuff. Matter of personal taste I guess.
Agreed! 🙂 In our home one daughter guzzles fermented coconut water, and the other can’t stand the smell.
Nicole, where can I buy the Exotic Superfoods and Harmless Harvest brands? Strictly online or would Whole Foods carry it? I would love to try fermenting my own. Thanks for the article. On a side note, being that I use ONLY Coconut oil for any and all cooking among many other uses, I know the wonderful properties of coconut water and oil and all that they offer. My question is have you heard of “oil pulling”? it is done with olive or coconut oil and it is for teeth. It is an amazing thing and I do it often. It removes stains, kills bacteria, cleans your teeth, etc…many other benefits. Just thought you might be interested. :o) Karin
Hi Karin, I’m also a lover of coconut oil and water, I practically use the oil for almost everything, cooking, weight management, hair, skin, nappy rash cream for my baby etc. I have tried the oil pulling and it’s also amazing.
In my family we all adore coconut water. Not so much the fermented stuff (although I’m inspired to try again). It is excellent if you are dealing with dehydration of any sort and for balancing electrolytes in general. When the girls are sick they know I will give them coconut water and the love it.
Agreed on the dehydration! Certainly a trick I wish I had known a long time ago.
Livung in the tropics, I have a yard full of organic cicinut trees. I love the fresh coconut water. Question, if left out it starts fermenting on its own overnight. Taste is fermented but good. Would this be safe to drink?
Irena — How wonderful! You are blessed!
Yes, I think it’s safe to drink. I would refrigerate it as soon as you can, though — or drink it.
If you ever have a reaction (like maybe upset stomach), look into adding a veggie culture or salt to protect it so it ferments the right way. 🙂
Irena – did you get an answer to support drinking of such overnight fermented coconut water? i too often have such situation, pls let me know.
If I do that it stenches, do you treat it in any way?
I suppose what one could do is prepare a ginger bug culture which takes about a week. Then, one could add coconut water with a bit of the mixture in a flip top bottle and to make it more palatable you could add some blinded pineapple juice and leave the mixture outside in a bottle for 3 days before refrigerating. I haven’t experiment with coconut, but that’s what I do. I make all kinds of beverages.
Great post! I’ve tried this method once before and obviously did something wrong as it started to mold after a couple of days. I was going to try again without a lid (as I do with kefir). I was wonderig if there is a reason you use a lid to ferment? If so, do I need to let it breathe occasionally?
Thanks!
Good question! An important detail! It needs to breathe to ferment. I have not been successful fermenting in a sealed container, like a fido. I use a loosely fitted lid on a mason jar.
I use fido (and others that are all closed no air) jars to ferment and it works perfect for me. I ferment gallons a week with no problem.
Good to know! Thanks 🙂
Hi my question is this…I have approx. 12 one litre tetra pak bots. of coconut water brand ‘cocofuel’ which has just slightly gone off, so the air has got to the product is it still ok to cook and ferment, tastes slightly sour/bitter and then a bit of coconut comes thru, just enuff to tell me it’s not a ok
Lewis
Really, is it fresh and at what temps, I in Philippines its alway hot, I drink fresh but it go’s off quick even refridgerated???
Cheers
Dylinda
Wow, that is so cool! I had no idea you could ferment coconut water! Thanks for sharing, Nichole!
This article says “it’s on it’s way out when it turns from clear to pink.” But Harmless Harvest states clearly on their package that the Pink ones are the “lucky” ones. I have been fermenting young green thai coconuts for a while now and I know when the coconut is pink it is in fact not good!!! Also this article says to heat the coconut water up…which I never do. I do use body ecology Kefir starter for the coconut water and I also use water kefir garins. So this article has some good info…but the facts need to be straightened out. =)
Hi there. You are right….be cautious when that coconut water turns pink. Also, if you don’t heat the water up or at least warm it rapidly to room temperature you risk having the coconut water go bad while it sits and warms. When purchasing bottled from the store it is hard to know how close that particular bottle is to going bad. Fermenting preserves it longer, and if you move it to the fridge when it is done it will last longer still. I have successfully fermented without heating, or with only warming slightly, but have also had it go bad before the ferment got started.
Thanks for the recommendation Nichole.
To clarify: Our coconut water is totally clear when bottled and only afterward do some bottles turn pink due to varying levels of antioxidant interacting with light. This is totally different than a freshly cracked coconut, where pink is a sign that oxygen has gotten into the sterile coconut and is a symptom of spoilage. Each of our bottles has a best by date stamped on the bottle, so you know how long you have to drink it.
Hey..I am from Kerala,India.i am interested to fill coconut water into pouches and I need more life time for packaged coconut water,is it possible?if yes,how?please let me know.Thank you.
So the coconuts I’m familiar with have a brown husk-like exterior…Is the green coconut under that? Is it an older coconut? Probably not worth the effort to get into them!
Yes, the brown ones are older ones. You do NOT want to use those. You need a young green one that is green on the outside. By the time they are brown the meat and water inside have changed considerably.
Is it possible to use fresh unpreservered unpasteurized coconut water?
Interesting subject coconut water I will be embarking on an experiment at home utilizing my Summit Spring Raw Water-with some sort of coconut recipe probably fermented also. I let folks know my results.
Thanks,
BH
Hi, this is an awesome post, thanks for it! A couple of questions. I saw some people posting about water kefir grains. Can coconut water be fermented using water kefir grains? I am not able to use most probiotics as the inactive ingredients usually contain some type of grain or gluten. Could you use milk kefir grains also? Thanks again!
I made coconut water kefir using the Body Ecology Kefir starter culture. I made two batches. The second batch took much less longer to make. Once it is ferminted, i take some out to place in the fridge and leave about 1/4 cup in the jar I used to ferment the water. My question is, If it turns vinegar and all the sugar is used up before I can add more coconut water, can i still use it for another batch until ive dont 7 batches or so?
Do you suppose the whey from kefir would ferment coconut water?
Thanks so much for this info. I had no idea that the shelf stable water i’ve been buying is ‘dead’. Thanks for providing a source for better quality water. I put it in my green smoothies and I can’t get the benefits if it’s not good quality!
Wow! What amazing info. I found this site while trying to learn about coconut spoilage. I am in the Dominican Republic where there are young, green coconuts everywhere. I am trying to help villiages in exporting and put the money into new schools. Here they have many un-used water jugs like we have in north america and lots of coconut water. Is there a way to ferment the coconut water and export it? The people who own the plantation I am at is owned by husband and wife doctors. Any advice would be great and to help the people here with a better life.
I live in Mexico. And where I go grocery shopping there’s a coconut stand. They sell coconut water and the meat topped with chile powder. The nice thing is that they only stock young coconuts. It’s so nice to pick up a litre of coconut water to have for the day. Super fresh! They open the coconut right in front of you.
Can you ferment with the lid on?
Does the ferment need to breath – if so why?
I’m not actually using Kefir culture – instead I have used some wholefood probiotic powder blend mixed with coconut water in a jar with lid screwed on.
I hope someone can clarify my questions. Many Thanks
I am from an Island and I have had coconut water all my life. I have had Water from brown and green coconuts, the tastes are bit different but they are both good. The brown coconuts are what we use to make oil. The best packaged coconut water I have ever had is Harmless Harvest. When I found it at Whole Foods I was in heaven. All others to me taste horrible! Like imitation.
My uncle brought me a coconut around new years and I just now took the husk off got the water out and saved the meat it’s February 27th My wife drank water and started feeling buzzed. Did it ferment and is the coconut meat ok to eat?
Thanks for the excellent tips. I’m fortunate enough to live in Mexico and I get the coconut water straight from the coconut at the local organic market. I haven’t tried kefir but simply grate up a couple tablespoons of fresh ginger and add it to each quart size jar of the coconut water. After about three days in the fridge it has done its own fermentation and the result is a unique, fizzy drink similar to ginger beer but with a nice touch of coconut.
Incredible, nothing but grated ginger, do you treat in in any way?, Is there an alcohol percentage.
I live in the Philippines, I hate to see the water go to waste.
My water even under refrigeration won’t last overnight,.
I will try your method.
I doubt you will respond from 4years ago, but I would sure be happy if you did.
Cheers
Dylinder
I made my first batch of coconut kefir last week using the body ecology kefir starter. It turned out perfect! I made a secon batch this week and it is completely flat. I’m confused at what could have gone wrong. Any suggestions?
if the coco water from young fresh cocos has fermented on it’s own, is it still good to drink? no probiotics added. just did it on it’s own. it is not pink but definitely fermented. and how long would it be good-IF it is still good?
thanx for this great article!!
In the article, you just say to add “probiotics”. Which probiotics would work? I see people saying kefir grains or kefir starter, but would body ecology veggie starter work? whey from yogurt? which probiotic?
We love coconut water! We live in India and actually have a man selling green coconuts right across from our apartment building. He uses a machete to chop off the top and crate an opening for a straw. My 2.5 year old loves to go out for a coconut water and can finish a whole one herself! In Thailand while on vacation we had a coconut shake –scrape out the milky flesh and blends it with the coconut water and some ice. Yumm!
So I made a batch of coconut water kefir last night. I used organic coconut water from a box at room temperature, added the water kefir grains and let it sit on the counter for 48 hours. When I checked it last night, there was a thick white layer on top (almond looked like thick coconut oil) Is this normal and is it still safe to drink? I was making normal water kefir with the same grains and did not have an issue with anything on top of the water, so I am wondering if it’s normal for coconut water kefir to develop a small white layer on top?
Hi Nichole,
I have just had my gardener pick me a huge bunch of green coconuts. I wish I could share the photo with you. I am considering oil. We live on Roatan, Honduras and have a lot of coconut trees. Yes you would be envious but I would rather share with you if you visited. http://www.roatan-guavagrove.com. I do not have access to Coconut Kefir starter or fermentation starter.
I would like your best method for oil
My gardener said the coconuts would go bad in 3 days if we cut them down but if we don’t open them at all I believe they should last much longer.
You advice is greatly appreciated.
Like every home in Kerala, India, there are about 10 coconut palms in my family home and several times a year I get the tender ones plucked/brought down [the palms are all over 60 years old and some 80 ft. tall] for its water. Other time I buy tender coconuts from the local market. Even though Kerala is filled with these palms, fresh tender coconut water has become expensive [by Indian standards], costing around USD$0.50 each. My alternative? Freshly squeezed lime/lemon juice, water and mineral salt at a cost of USD$0.10!
Fairdinkum, I thought that was the price for rubberneck tourists
D
Hi! I have been doing homemade milk kefir for a while, and we get our milk raw from a local dairy farm, and when we had too many kefir grains, we rinsed the milk off and put them in water with sugar and let them continue as “water kefir”. I know they don’t look the same as the translucent “water kefir” grains, but they seem to work just fine and we mix in apple juice for a sort of homemade Martinelli’s.
But I finally decided to try fermenting the organic coconut water we get at costco, and put together a bottle of the coconut water with the meat of a whole mature coconut, along with a splash of our “water kefir” to get the fermenting process going.
After the first day on the counter, I tried a drink and it tasted great! I topped off the jar with another bottle of the coconut water, and a couple days later was shocked when I went to try it again. It was definitely bubbly, but rather than watery, it was almost gelatinous! It almost had the consistency of egg whites! It didn’t taste bad, but it wasn’t at all what i was expecting, which was more of the Martinelli’s light pop and texture.
So what caused the consistency to turn the way it did? Was it the coconut meat? The oil from it? Has anyone ever tried fermenting their coconut water with coconut meat mixed in?
Why does it need to be boiled? I thought coconut water straight from the shell is already sterile?
Hi, I’m wanting to try this since I read a story about a lady named Carol (health rising) who cured her chronic fatigue by having heaps of probiotics. I also have CFS and i’m going to give it a go, but since the probiotics are SO expensive to take in large amounts I will do the fermented coconut water to make them go further. I’m wondering two things
its winter here can i just use my yoghurt maker to ferment?
and
if i leave it three days, using a litre of coconut water and 3 capsules does anyone know how potent that would make the water? for instance would I have turned my 3 capsules in to 33 capsules? any thoughts?
Hi, I have a question. I mistakenly added too much kefir culture to the coconut water, I realized after fermentation that I should have had more. Can I add more coconut water to the already fermented one that I have or do I need to discard and start again at this point?
Coconut water is very beneficial for skin and hair. Apart from this there are many health benefits of it. Thanks for sharing this information.
Can fresh coconut used be u in a ferment in tropical heat?
D.