When it comes to coconut, nothing is a waste.
Here are the steps I normally take
1. I used three medium sized coconuts (dehusked), the husk is usually used as part of herbal tea used for malaria.
2. Break open the coconut, you can drink the water, it's quite nutritious and refreshing.
fresh coconut water is believed to be mother nature's energy drink.
3. Remove the meat from the shell and slice or cut into pieces.
Pour into blender, add some hot water, and blend till smooth enough
4. Strain using a fine mesh sieve, add more hot water to the residue and sieve again, make sure you get as much milk as possible from it.
There you have your coconut milk just like what you buy canned.
The residue can be dried if you have a dryer and there you have your coconut flakes.
5. You have the coconut milk and at this point you can boil straight away or do what I normally do.
I leave the milk unattended for quite a few hours.
if you make the milk in the evening you can leave it overnight.
Cover it to prevent particles falling in it or contaminants.
As it sets, the coconut milk and oil will separate and a layer of curd will appear on top.
6. Use a spoon to carefully scoop this layer, there you have your coconut cream used in cooking and baking.
You can use the remaining water for coconut rice (which I had this afternoon).
Boil the cream, stirring constantly (using only the cream saves time on cooking), until the water evaporates and the cream separates from the oil and turns brown.
Pour into a sieve or clean handkerchief and squeeze out as much oil as you possibly can.
There you have it, Virgin coconut oil
7. Remember, coconut oil can also be used for skin care and hair care.
I learnt how to make this when my baby had a case of tinea versicolor also known as Ela.
I used it as his body lotion and it cleared up fast.
Please be aware that as great as the benefits of coconut are, it and its derivatives should be avoided if you have heart disease, kidney disease, are on a low-potassium diet or are allergic to nuts.
At best consult your doctor before taking it.
