regular ol' coconuts?

[Zaphirah]

is there any specific reason that every thing calls for young Thai coconuts.(that's what they are called right? I am suddenly experiencing fasting-brain fog :p Why doesn't anyone use the brown hairy ones? Is it just personal preference? nutritional value? how they are treated? something else?

[diali36]

Hey I need the answer to that also as no one in this area even carries the young coconuts, including the big stores and the local co-op. I do think there is a different texture for the recipies allthough I have never tried making any using the thai coconuts as I can't find any! I did talk to the QFC manager today and she thought she could get some that were allready out of the shell, in a bag in the cooler section. Will look back next week to see if she was able to. I am assuming I could use that?

[raweater]

The texture is completely different, young coconut is a bit like avocado, but more jelly like, while mature coconut is very tough and fibrous and cannot be subtituted (I once tried putting mature coconut in a smoothie, it makes it completely undrinkable, as you try to drink it, the coconut fibers will form a wall against your mouth, sealing it shut, making it completely impossible to drink, a young coconut would work fine though as it's not fibrous at all).

I found young coconuts after 2 years in a nearby asian market, for 2 years I thouhgt there were none around here when I just didn't look enough, try/call your nearby asian/indian/etc markets and see.

By the way, do not get the white pointy trimmed ones, those are dipped in formaldehyde and taste absolutely horrible compared to natural young coconuts (which are still in their green husk). I had tried another formaldehyde dipped one this week as they only had 2 non dipped ones left and again it tasted more of formaldehyde than anything else (the meat and water all taste like formaldehyde), the natural ones are to die for though! Except you have to fight with it for 5-10 minutes for 140 calories worth but I still like it (mature coconuts have a whopping 1400 calories, 10 times more, but I prefer the texture and taste of the young ones).

[Conscious Midwife]

Thanks for the explanation

I bought a coconut, the white trimmed one, from an Indo/ Paki market. Took for ever to get to the water inside and then I wasn't impressed. Made a smoothie out of the outside before I could get to the inside only to end up with hair little cocpnut splinters. Drank it anyway cause we dont waste much around here.

[Zaphirah]

WF only carries the white pointy ones and I've never cared for them. I bet it's the formaldehyde! Not sure if I will ever find them around here. I know the asian market doesn't sell them. He doesn't sell any produce, just imported stuff in plastic and cans. :( I'll check a more diverse area about an hour away and see what I can dig up. Thanks for the info!