Cooking With Coconut Water

At this point, if not full-fledged converts, most people have at least heard of coconut water. Within the past few years, coconut water has gone from being a nearly non-existent beverage in the U.S. to a multi-million dollar industry. You can now find this slightly-sweet drink everywhere: vending machines, supermarket shelves and bodegas across the country.

Touting natural health benefits similar to what you'd get with a sports drink, many athletes turn to coconut water as a way to re-fuel after a workout. While there's some dispute as to how well it can replenish your electrolytes in comparison to more traditional sports drinks, it's generally accepted that coconut water is a great source of rehydration, and some say it can even cure a hangover.

Coconut water is the liquid in the center of a young green coconut. It has long been enjoyed in Latin America and Asia, usually straight from the coconut. It's not to be confused with coconut milk, which is a mixture of coconut meat and water and much richer; coconut water is fat free and lower in calories.

Some people love the flavor of this drink, and others feel that it tastes like old gym socks. One thing we can say at Kitchen Daily is that it doesn't quite taste as it would if straight from the tropical fruit. If you aren't the biggest fan of coconut water or if you're looking for a way to up your intake, think about incorporating it into your foods. The water adds a nice tropical flavor and a hint of sweetness to dishes. Click through the slideshow below for delicious ideas on how to do this.

Do you like coconut water? Leave a comment below.

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Comments

[SusanElizabeth1949]

05:48 PM on 04/12/2012

The canned version popular in SE Asia is found all over town where I live, I use it to make a braised pork flavored with lemon grass, ginger fish sauce and garlic. I skim the fat off the stock and serve it with fresh rice noodles.

[ginadeoliveira2008]

06:06 PM on 04/11/2012

Please do not use coconut water in recipes, that's preposterous! Use coconut water as a cold drink straight from the green coconut. If you're going to cook use the milk, coconut milk from the ripe coconut. All Asian countries cook like that. Brazil too. Africa as well, I guess.

[jakenjil]

12:45 AM on 03/19/2012

I only like it if I got it fresh from a coconut. Better if I'm actually drinking it straight from the coconut.

[aripalda]

01:29 AM on 03/16/2012

They use coconut water directly IV in some hospitals in the Philippines.

[hedonistnutritionist]

06:00 PM on 03/15/2012

I LOVE coconut water, but ythe ONLY coconut water I drink is that from Body Ecology Diet and that does taste like it is right out of the coconut.

[Pleasehold]

04:44 PM on 03/15/2012

5 Strawberries, about 20 blueberries, a banana and a vanilla fat-free yogurt. Thats my morning smoothie. I think Im sharper since starting this a few months ago. I think

[Blonde4eva7]

04:25 PM on 03/15/2012

Sounds good. Only problem is, I don't like coconuts :( Any ideas to help, but still use coconut water? Not something that would make a recipe more unhealthy (like adding sugar or something). Thanks!

[florieflowers]

06:10 PM on 03/15/2012

ZIKO dark chocolate coconut water is delicious and you cannot taste coconut, only rich dark chocolate.

[nohopepope2187]

10:37 PM on 03/15/2012

I just use 2% milk for everything. Whole milk is so over-rated.

[subrog8er]

02:48 PM on 03/15/2012

Love it. Good for immune system, digestive and skin. Emergency skin moisturizer too.

[Joan Marie DeVito Burke]

02:35 PM on 03/15/2012

Coconut water is the best. I buy it at "Whole Foods" and use it in all my smoothies or fruit drinks. Been using ever since Dr Mercola talked about how good it is.

[Popopnano]

03:18 PM on 03/12/2012

turns my dung pasty white

[Pleasehold]

04:40 PM on 03/15/2012

Thanks

[lamouriaboyd]

08:59 AM on 03/16/2012

OOOHH, TMI (too much information!)