Can You Freeze Coconut Water?

If you are looking for an all-natural healthy drink that is not sour or sweet, then coconut water is the right one for you. You can choose to drink freshly opened coconut, or a bottled coconut water and they are both refreshing. The only question is, will you be able to drink it all at once?

Sometimes we think we can drink a bottle of juice, or even water after opening but most often than not we have leftovers. If you happen to buy a big bottle of coconut juice, then you would not want to just discard the remainder after drinking. So, you will resort to storing it or to keep it refrigerated.

Refrigerating coconut water may not be enough especially if we want to drink it ice cold, whether its just a remainder or an unopened bottle. So, can you keep it in the freezer? Certainly, you can, and it will still be as nutritious even after freezing. However, its taste may change after it has been frozen. It is not suggested to keep coconut water frozen if you want to drink it, but it will be just fine if you will add it to smoothies, make coconut juice, or use it in a recipe.

Here is the detailed instruction, and tips in freezing your coconut water. Learning these tips will help you keep your coconut water just the way you like it.

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Best Practices for Freezing Coconut Water

If you happen to freeze coconut water before, you might have noticed that it does not freeze like typical water. It will need to be at 27.5 Fahrenheit temperature to freeze unlike water that freezes at 32 degrees. This is because coconut water is rich in natural sugar.

The sugar content of coconut helps stay fresh even without freezing it. So, you need not worry if you have a dozen or more coconut water since you need not store them in the freezer. Coconut milk will stay fresh as packaged and you only need to store it in a dry and cool place.

Coconut Water Ice Cubes

There are different ways to keep your coconut water frozen, but the best option is to freeze it using your ice cube tray. Just pour the coconut water in the ice cube tray and keep it in our freezer.

Once it has totally frozen, pop each coconut cubes and place it in a heavy-duty resealable freezer bag. Seal the freeze bag tightly and place it in the freezer. This process of freezing coconut water will be convenient for you to get only what you amount you want. This is also a good way to store it even for months.

You can be creative when freezing your coconut water. If you think ice cube trays are too small, then you can use the one with extra-large spheres or squares. This is best if you are preparing it for a cocktail.

Freezing Large Quantities of Coconut Water

Another option to freeze your coconut water is freezing large quantities. Instead of using your ice cube trays , you can pour half a liter in a heavy-duty freezer bag and lay it down flat inside our freezer. Be sure the freezer bag has no tiny holes that will cause it to leak, and you can freeze it rock hard.

When choosing freezer bags for this process, you need to be sure that the bag has thick plastic to hold the coconut water. Typically, a 2-ply thick does better and be sure that the seal is tight. You will not worry even if you stack several inside your freezer.

It is not common to freeze coconut water in a container but depending on your purpose, you may also freeze coconut water in a plastic container. It also expands a little when frozen so you need to leave ample space between the container and lid.

Keep in mind that coconut water does not freeze easily like water so it will take some time before you can get it completely frozen. It is not recommended to freeze coconut water in a glass container.

How To Thaw Frozen Coconut Water

There is not much to do if you want to thaw frozen coconut water. You can just take it out from the freezer and leave it at room temperature. You can also place it in the fridge overnight to thaw.

Remember that the way you package the coconut water before freezing should be considered when thawing it. If its frozen in freezer bags, be sure it is totally sealed before thawing.

Here are the three quick ways to thaw frozen coconut water.

Keep frozen coconut water refrigerated until it has completely thawed. Keeping it in the fridge while thawing provides a steady cool temperature.
Take it out of the freezer and leave it at room temperature to thaw. Place freezer bags in a big bowl or container while thawing to ensure that it will not leak, or to simply catch the water from its condensation process.
To quickly thaw frozen coconut water, place the container or freezer bag in another container with lukewarm water until has completely thawed. Never place it in hot water.

Using Frozen Coconut Water

The simplest way to use your frozen coconut water is to add it to your drinks. When it melts, its taste will make your water healthy and refreshing with coconut flavor.

Here are some suggestions on how to enjoy your coconut water cubes:

Add to plain water, fresh coconut water, carbonated water, water with honey and lemon flavor, mint flavored water.
To cool any kind of fresh fruit juice.
Add to your soda especially in homemade soda with carbonated water and other natural flavors.
To cool your hot tea or chocolate (it will taste best with a mild coconut taste)
Best to cool your morning rice or oat porridge when you are in a hurry and wants a quick breakfast.
Blend it with smoothies or just add cubes to smoothies.

Alternative Ways to Preserve Coconut Water

Canned or bottled coconut water is safe to be stored for a few months to a year but also be sure to read its label. You can keep it in a dry and cool room. However, you need to keep it refrigerated or frozen if you have opened it. This is the same if you cut open a coconut to drink its water. The fresh coconut water should be kept in a container with tight lid or in a heavy-duty freezer bag to be refrigerated or frozen.

You may place the coconut water in a pitcher or water jug if you want to refrigerate it, but it will have a shorter shelf-life if other food odor or air can sip into it. The air and food odor may cause bacterial growth or spoil it.

Never leave coconut water in room temperature and exposed to sunlight for more than 2 hours as it can go stale or spoiled. Also, let your cold coconut water get warm naturally by leaving it at room temperature for not more than 20 minutes if you cannot drink it cold.

What makes coconut water go bad?

Like any other food or drinks, once you leave the coconut water exposed to air at room temperature, then it will turn bad within 2 to 3 days. Its nutritive value will also diminish within the day. So, it is best to drink all of it than lose it, or keep it refrigerated right away.

If you are cracking a coconut to get its juice, check the shell if it has cracks or if the flesh has been exposed because chances are its juice may not taste good even if it is not yet spoiled.

So, what should you look into to check if your coconut has turned bad? Here are the characteristics you need to check.

The coconut water should be slightly cloudy or thicker than typical water. If it looked milky then it already turned bad.
Bubbles are signs of carbonation. If you see bubbles on it, then it has already turned bad.
The first noticeable property if our coconut water has turned bad is its odor. It will smell sour or rancid if it has gone bad.

Can You Freeze Coconut Water?