How to know if coconut is spoiled? (5 methods)

In this brief article, we are going to answer the question “how to know if coconut is spoiled”, discuss the different methods of identifying spoiled coconut and the potential side effects of eating spoiled coconut.

How to know if coconut is spoiled?

If you want to know if your coconut is spoiled or still edible, you can check the following signs that will help to take a wise decision:

Important: Eating spoiled coconuts can cause severe health problems including stomach aches, diarrhea, vomiting (1-3). If you notice any of the following signs of spoilage, it is best to discard your coconut immediately to avoid the risk of food poisoning.

  1. Appearance: If you open the coconut and notice that now the interior has gotten discolored or notice mold forming inside, this is a clear sign of spoilage. Your coconut will have to be thrown away.
  2. Texture: If the coconut feels soft or squishy to the touch, it may be spoiled. Fresh coconuts should have a hard, firm shell.
  3. Smell: A ripe coconut would have a pleasant, clean scent. So, if it does not seem to, and instead smells the same as alcohol, rancid, sour, or even has a musty scent, it’s most likely ruined. In this scenario, you must toss the coconut out. It’s not a good idea to eat it.
  4. Sound: When you shake your coconut, you should not hear any liquid sloshing around.  If you do, it may be a sign of spoilage. The riper coconut is, the less and less fluid it contains. Consequently, the flesh inside the coconut would eventually exceed the water. Take the fruit in your palm and shake it to see whether it’s still good or not.
  5. Taste: If the coconut water or flesh inside tastes sour or off, it may be spoiled. Consuming rotten coconut milk and flesh is unpleasant and can lead to severe digestive issues (1-2).

Can you get sick from eating a spoiled coconut?

Yes, you can. Eating a spoiled coconut can lead to food poisoning (1-3), be careful!

You may experience typical symptoms of food poisoning after eating a spoiled coconut, which includes nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, headaches, dehydration, fatigue and weakness (1-3).

Spoiled coconut can contain different pathogenic microorganisms that can cause foodborne illnesses. 

Some of the most common harmful microorganisms that can contaminate coconut are Salmonella, Escherichia coliListeria monocytogenes, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Clostridium botulinum (2).

Some people may be allergic to coconut or may develop an allergy to it over time. Consuming spoiled coconut may trigger an allergic reaction, which can cause symptoms such as hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing (4).

Be aware that severe cases of food poisoning can be very dangerous and even fatal, so you should avoid eating spoiled coconuts!

If you suspect that you have eaten spoiled coconut and you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, you must seek medical attention right away.

What should you do if you suspect you have eaten a spoiled coconut?

If you have eaten spoiled coconut and you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms of food poisoning, you should:

  • Monitor your symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms and seek medical attention if they worsen or if you develop additional symptoms. It is very important that you take food poisoning seriously!
  • Seek medical attention: If you have a weakened immune system, are pregnant, or are experiencing severe symptoms, you must seek medical attention immediately. They will find the best treatment for you!
  • Avoid future consumption: Avoid consuming any more coconut or any other foods that were in contact with the spoiled coconut. Most probably that food could also be contaminated!
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water or electrolyte drinks to replace the fluids lost due to vomiting or diarrhea (5). This will help you to recover a bit while receiving the proper treatment.
  • Rest: Get plenty of rest and avoid demanding activities until you start feeling better.

Finally, you should contact the seller to let them know about the spoiled coconut. Certainly, the seller could check other coconuts for spoilage and offer you any assistance or compensation.

How to properly handle a coconut to avoid spoilage?

Proper handling and storage of coconuts will help you to prevent spoilage, thus ensuring that they stay fresh, delicious, and safe for longer. If you do not know how to properly handle coconuts, you can follow these tips:

  • Choose fresh coconuts: when purchasing coconuts, look for ones that have a firm shell, no cracks, and no discoloration. You can also give them a shake to ensure that there is no liquid sloshing around inside as previously described.
  • Store at room temperature: Coconuts can be stored at room temperature for up to a week. However, keep them away from direct sunlight and heat sources, which can accelerate spoilage.
  • Refrigerate for longer storage: If you want to store coconuts for longer, you can refrigerate them. Coconuts can last up to two months in the refrigerator. Place them in a plastic bag or wrap them in plastic wrap to help retain moisture.
  • Freeze for even longer storage: If you want to store coconuts for several months, you can freeze them. To do this, remove the coconut meat from the shell and place it in a resealable plastic bag. Coconut meat can last up to six months in the freezer.
  • Young coconuts (which have a green shell) have a shorter shelf life than mature coconuts. They should be consumed within a week of purchase, or they may spoil. While mature coconuts (which have a brown shell) can last up to two weeks at room temperature or up to two months in the refrigerator (6-7).

Follow these tips if you want to enjoy a fresh, delicious, and safe coconut.

Conclusion:

In this article,  we answered the question “how to know if coconut is spoiled”, we also discussed the different methods of identifying the spoiled coconut and the potential side effects of eating spoiled coconut..

References:

1. Birkelund T, Johansen RF, Illum DG, Dyrskog SE, Østergaard JA, Falconer TM, et al. Fatal 3-Nitropropionic Acid Poisoning after Consuming Coconut Water. Emerg Infect Dis [Internet]. 2021 Jan 1 [cited 2023 May 13];27(1):278. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7774558/  

2. Gabriel AA, Colambo JCR. Comparative resistances of selected spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in ultraviolet-C-treated, turbulent-flowing young coconut liquid endosperm. Food Control. 2016 Nov 1;69:134–40. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956713516302158  

3. Lawrence DT, Dobmeier SG, Bechtel LK, Holstege CP. Food Poisoning. Emerg Med Clin North Am [Internet]. 2007 May 1 [cited 2023 Apr 24];25(2):357–73. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482025/   

4. Patel P, Komorowski AS, Mack DP. An allergist’s approach to food poisoning. Ann Allergy, Asthma Immunol. 2023 Apr 1;130(4):444–51. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36334721/  

5. McRobert GR. THE TREATMENT OF BACTERIAL FOOD POISONING. Br Med J [Internet]. 1934 Aug 8 [cited 2023 May 10];2(3841):304. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2445530/  

6. Haseena M, Kasturi Bai K V., Padmanabhan S. Post-harvest quality and shelf-life of tender coconut. J Food Sci Technol 2010 476 [Internet]. 2010 Oct 20 [cited 2023 May 13];47(6):686–9. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13197-010-0097-y  

7. Sinigaglia M, Corbo MR, D’Amato D, Campaniello D, Altieri C. Shelf-life modelling of ready-to-eat coconut. Int J Food Sci Technol [Internet]. 2003 Jun 1 [cited 2023 May 13];38(5):547–52. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1365-2621.2003.00695.x  

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