Things You'll Need
Coconut
Scissors
Sealable container
Butcher knife
Rubber mallet
Paring knife
Spoon
Bristled scrub brush
Aluminum foil
Fine grit sandpaper
If you can't be relaxing on the warm shores of a tropical beach, sipping a cool beverage from a homemade coconut shell cup is the next best thing. Coconuts are a member of the nut family and are found natively in the moist tropical regions of the world. Once a coconut has been husked, each part of it can be used, from its nutritious milk to the pure white meat and the hard outer shell. After a bit of cleaning, you can create your own set of coconut cups.
Step 1
Locate the three indents on the outside of the coconut shell. Pierce the softest indent with the tip of your scissors and widen the hole by rotating the blade. Drain the coconut milk into a sealable container for later use.
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Step 2
Place the drained coconut on a counter top. Position the blade of a butcher knife directly in the middle of the shell. Wedge the blade into the shell by applying pressure to the top of the blade.
Step 3
Tap the top of the knife with a rubber mallet. Continue until the blade begins to crack through the shell and gradually splits the coconut into two pieces of equal sizes.
Step 4
Make an angled cut into the white meat with a paring knife. Push the knife through the meat until it makes contact with the inside of the shell.
Step 5
Bend the handle of the paring knife outward to pry the cut of meat up from the shell. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until all of the meat is cut away from the shell. Scoop out any remaining meat fragments with a large spoon.
Step 6
Wash the inside and outside of the shell with a bristled scrub brush. Set both halves on a sheet of aluminum foil and place them in direct sunlight until completely dry.
Step 7
Smooth the rims of the shells with a pad of fine-grit sandpaper. Also sand smooth any imperfections on the outside of the shell.
Tip
Wood stain or paint can be applied to the outside of the shell for decorative purposes. Avoid applying stain or paint to the inside of the shell if you plan to use them for drinking.
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