How to Crack Open a Coconut

Instructions:

1. Aim the midle (the equator) of the coconut directly towards a hard surface such as concrete and smack it down hard. Repeat, if necessary, until it cracks in half. Do not use tiled flooring as it may crack. 
2. To remove the coconut flesh from the hard coconut shell in one piece, microwave the coconut halves for 30 seconds.
3. Place the tip of a dull butter knife between the flesh and the hard shell and push the knife down, if  possible, or try another area around the rim.
4. When the knife slides down, pull the handle of the knife outwards to gently crack open a piece of the hard shell.
5. If enough of the hard shell is removed, try pulling the exposed flesh out of the rest of the shell.
6. repeat if necessary until the hole half coconut is removed.
7. At this point, you can keep each half and use as a cocktail container or cut it into pieces for a snack.
8. The thin brown skin on the white flesh, called the testa, is edible, or it can be removed using a potato peeler.