Drink
Coconut water
nước dừa
Also called nuoc dua, young coconut juice, coconut juice
The clear, slightly sweet liquid inside a young green coconut. It is not coconut milk, which is pressed from the grated flesh of mature nuts: coconut water is thin, almost fat-free and only lightly sweet.
Origin
Every coconut-growing coast in the tropics. In southern Vietnam it is a cooking liquid as much as a drink, used in place of water in braises because it gives sweetness and gloss without a lot of extra sugar.
Flavour
Mildly sweet, faintly salty and nutty. Cooked down for an hour or two it turns rich and caramel-like.
How to use it
For braises, use pure unsweetened coconut water from a fresh coconut or a carton. Avoid sparkling, flavoured or sweetened versions. Drink it chilled, or use it to cook rice and in smoothies.
Storage
Fresh coconut water goes sour within a day once opened, so refrigerate it and use it quickly. Unopened cartons keep for months; once open, refrigerate and use within three days.
Recipes using it
Thịt kho trứng
Southern Vietnamese Tết braise: pork belly and whole eggs simmered slowly in coconut water and dark caramel until the pork is soft and the broth turns amber.
Easy
Bò kho
Southern Vietnamese beef stew with lemongrass, star anise and annatto, simmered in coconut water until the beef is soft, then eaten with a baguette or rice noodles and Thai basil.
Easy
