In fact, Kerala means ‘land of coconut trees’, so as he was born there and had grown up drinking coconut water, it seemed natural to him to commercialise it. He was also at that critical point, just out of university and having finished travelling, when he knew it was the time to get real and get a job, or create one that was interesting for himself.
Apparently, coconuts do not all taste the same and are rather like wine, in that it depends on the terroir and the time of year when they are harvested.
“If they grow by the coast, the coconut water will taste more salty,” he explained. “There are different varieties of trees, and coconuts can be orange, green or yellow. Of course, they all end up brown once fully ripe.”
Cocofina uses a small coconut from Thailand and The Philippines (and not surprisingly is currently experiencing availability problems) as water from the big nuts grown in Brazil are less sweet. The company sells it as a low-calorie hydration product aimed at a female audience, but without any health claims.
What’s hardest here is consistent supply, as Jacob explained: “If the company were buying from Brazil, it would be possible to have one farmer with a 15,000 hectare plantation, but in Asia farming is very fragmented. It relies on strong relationships and the promise of future revenue.”
Did you know the shocking fact that after just one hour, coconut water starts to go off? “We continuously move small quantities,” he said. And the cost of these raw materials? Well since launch, the cost of raw materials has more than doubled. Today, the global coconut market is worth $400m, and that’s after just five years.
There is seasonal variation too. With groundwater being used to grow coconuts, they tend to be sweeter in the hotter months, as there is less water in the coconuts.
For Jacob, life is busy: “We are tripling our sales every year,” he said, but it’s not easy to keep up with demand. “Do we blend or do we keep the taste the same?”
There are no easy answers. The company has just launched three ‘from concentrate’ flavoured variants that are very stable, and with no need to refrigerate. These are in apple & blueberry, mango & guava and tea & passionfruit variants.
The company has been approached by the major players, but Jacob is keen to keep the company independent and sell away from mainstream distribution.
“We are selling through ABC1 outlets, through health clubs and ‘grab and go’ outlets,” he said. “The Tour de France team and Team GB both were drinking it and now we are targeting yoga clubs.”
Customer expectations are high, though, and they are currently undergoing a packaging revamp. I have to finish with a few impressive facts regarding product processing waste. It just has to be the best ‘end to end’ product when it comes to sustainability: the coconut water from green coconuts does not have a pulp around it and goes directly for use as a beverage. However, the coconut milk from older coconuts is submitted to centrifuge and the resulting coconut oil is cold pressed, the white coconut is dessicated, while the brown husk is used as fuel and as a water filter. Wow!
FAQs
Apparently, coconuts do not all taste the same and are rather like wine, in that it depends on the terroir and the time of year when they are harvested. “If they grow by the coast, the coconut water will taste more salty,” he explained.
Do different coconuts taste different? ›
Which Coconut Tastes Better? There are mixed reviews about which one tastes better, but most people would agree that young coconuts taste better. They are sweeter and tastier in general, with an unmistakable tropical taste.
Which coconut doesn't taste like coconut? ›
Refined coconut oil does not taste or smell like coconut and has a higher smoke point (400 to 450 degrees; check product labels for guidance), making it better suited for high-temperature cooking techniques such as frying, searing or sauteing.
Why do different brands of coconut water taste different? ›
Added Flavours & Sweeteners. If you are truly getting young, fresh coconuts, they taste delicate, sweet and so refreshing, but if a manufacture is using more acidic, older coconuts, or heated or concentrated water, they may add 'natural' flavours or sweeteners to enhance the taste.
Why do Thai coconuts taste different? ›
Ratchaburi Province, home to Copra's factory and source of all its coconuts, is an agricultural powerhouse in Thailand because of its soil and weather. Its dark, mineral-rich soil, abundant water and year-round sun ensure that the coconuts are extremely sweet.
Are all coconuts the same? ›
Interestingly, young coconuts, white coconuts and brown coconuts all come from the same coconut palm, they just differ by stage of maturity! All coconuts contain a husk, which is kind of like the rind of the fruit and under which you can find the delicious meat.
Is there a difference between coconuts? ›
Tender coconuts are young, green coconuts that are about 5 to 7 months old and have a soft, white meat inside. Hard coconuts, on the other hand, are fully mature coconuts that are about 10 to 12 months old and have a harder, brown shell and a thicker, firmer meat inside.
Which part of coconut is not edible? ›
Pericarp is the fruit wall and it is not edible in coconut. Pericarp is differentiated into an outer epicarp, middle fibrous mesocarp and inner stony endocarp.
What is the sweetest coconut? ›
The Tender King Coconut is described as having high sucrose, sweet and nutty flavor, making it popular amongst locals. In fact, it is a prized fruit for its extra sweet nut water that is also aromatic. It is native to Sri Lanka and described as being sweeter than regular.
What is the best kind of coconut to eat? ›
Generally speaking, a big green coconut has more water than a brown one. So, if you are interested in drinking the water only green one is the best. However, if you want to use the coconut flesh for cooking choose the brown one. It has better culinary uses in Indian style cooking.
It IS 100% coconut water...but it's also not what you think. Most of these cartons are actually a mixture of young (green) AND mature (brown) coconut water. What's the problem with that? Well, mature coconut water doesn't taste nearly as good, it's actually quite bland.
What is the healthiest coconut water to drink? ›
Fresh, non-concentrated coconut water is generally considered better in terms of taste and nutritional value. Non-GMO and organic: If you prefer organic products or want to avoid genetically modified organisms (GMOs), look for coconut water with these labels on the packaging.
Is it safe to drink pink coconut water? ›
Temperature, age, sugar content, and how long the water has been exposed to air can all affect the coloration of coconut water. It's similar to how an apple turns brown after being cut and exposed to the air. Rest assured that, just as you can eat a brown apple, you can safely consume pink coconut water.
What country has the best coconut water? ›
Young Thai coconuts are well known for being the best in the world, even compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. The variety most commonly grown in Thailand is called “Nam Hom," which translates to “fragrant water." Indeed, these coconuts are unique for a variety of reasons.
What should fresh coconut taste like? ›
Flavor Of Coconut
They can be slightly sweet and nutty at the same time. The texture of white flesh is chewy and almost dry. It can have a taste of woodiness to it. However, most coconut tastes pretty neutral with a tropical edge.
Is Vita Coco actually coconut water? ›
All over the globe - including in Southeast Asia, Brazil, UK. HOW ARE VITA COCO® PRODUCTS MADE? We pick and crack the best coconuts before extracting the coconut water.
Can you eat all types of coconuts? ›
The best coconut to consume is a young coconut. However, it is the water with which caution should be exercised. Every coconut comes with a warning on what to do with its water. Generally, white coconut is fit for consuming coconut water and not the ripe brown coconut.
Are green or brown coconuts better? ›
The water from green coconuts also contains less sugar and fewer calories compared to the water from mature coconuts. Which Coconut water is good, Green Coconut or Brown one? Both coconuts are good, as in green coconut all the nutrients are present in water only.
Are there 2 types of coconuts? ›
Coconuts can also be broadly divided into two general types based on habit: the "Tall" (var. typica) and "Dwarf" (var. nana) varieties.
What type of coconut is best? ›
Green coconuts are perfect for drinking, but if you choose one that's a bit more mature, you can enjoy its very soft and tender meat along with its water. Green coconuts are much easier to open than mature ones, though they require a little bit of work.
