Milking Coconuts.

We got given some mature coconuts and our neighbour was kind enough to teach us how to grate the flesh for coconut milk, Cook Island style. He told us that as a boy, the only way to get coconut milk was to DIY because canned ones were expensive. He would get together with a bunch of other boys to collect coconuts, grate then and squeeze the milk out. It was an interesting opportunity to share his culture and in turn, we shared a little about wet markets in Singapore and how hawkers would do that too, albeit in a more sophisticated way.

The grater. One would sit on the wooden bit, and use the sharp edges to shred the coconut flesh.

The children reaped the rewards of our work. They enjoyed some coconut water, and we made a dessert with canned fruit, ice cream and freshly-squeezed coconut milk. The milk tasted sweeter than the ones we get in cans! 

It's great to have learned something new today.