Is raw coconut safe to eat?
I recently came across this study:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC546945/?page=1
and I am worried about potential salmonella infection in raw coconut meat and whole coconut picked up from my local grocery store (i.e. thai grocery, local organic shop). Is it necessary to pasteurise the meat before consumption? If yes, would the pieces of coconut meat they sell be pasteurised?
Would it be safer to purchase pre-cut coconut meat, or a whole coconut?
Best Answer
IMO, stated again, IMO...
It is an old research paper (1967) about mostly transformed (grated and dried) coconut.
A quick googling does not really give more warnings for whole coconuts (FDA or other sources).
Like all things "exotic", wash the exterior under clean water before opening and use properly clean knives and other kitchen tools.
Enjoy the coconut.
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Quick Answer about "Is raw coconut safe to eat?"
Coconut meat is the white flesh of coconuts and is edible fresh or dried. Rich in fiber and MCTs, it may offer a number of benefits, including improved heart health, weight loss, and digestion. Yet, it's high in calories and saturated fat, so you should eat it in moderation.Can you eat raw coconut?
The raw white meat inside a coconut is referred to as the kernel. It has a firm texture and delicious, slightly sweet flavor ( 2 ). If you have a whole coconut, you can scrape the raw meat out of the shell and eat it.What happens when you eat raw coconut?
Why is eating raw coconut good for your health? Well, that's because it is packed with nutrients. It is extremely rich in copper, selenium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Moreover, the fat content it has is actually good fat which will help you body function better.Is raw coconut hard to digest?
May cause obstructions because they are hard to digest or are irritating to the gut: Coconut, corn, crab, fibrous foods such as celery, fried foods, lobster, mushrooms, nuts, many vegetables used in Asian cooking, popcorn, raw vegetables, salads, shrimp, and string beans.8 Reasons You Should Eat More Coconut - Nutrition Coconut Milk Benefits
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Answer 2
Yes it is :) When I was a kid , we used to have fresh tender coconut from our tress and after drinking the water , we used to cut open the coconut and have the coconut. Like wise its even the same with the coconut in store. But since they are packaged and handle my many, just rinse it before eating .
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Images: Artem Beliaikin, cottonbro, cottonbro, Laker