Wanting for some "buko juice" or young coconut water since arriving in Manila, out we went in the streets today!

Usually, just outside where we live, there are pushcarts full of young coconuts for sale. Disappointedly, they're not around today. It's the New Year's day after all.

In our hunt in the neighborhood, we saw these young men selling near the wet market.

$ 0.50 cents each!! Fancy that?

These were harvested yesterday. Accordingly, they can live for a week with their husks on. Compared to those ones that are being imported abroad, that once their husks removed, my experience tells me they are only good for less than 24 hours.

Will you buy these?

In the supermarket for the same price, stamped as fresh, there's no date on when unhusked. As these are quite easily available anywhere, these might not be bought anymore. 

These looks more fresh, they have more chance of being bought...today. 

Importing them and still being edible is possible, but unhusked. Since a week is supposedly their time life, removing their husks early will lessen it. Or worst. 

Consume in 24 hours.

Previous experience I've learnt that unhusked, there is a noticeable smell when already nearing its' 24 hours. Even the taste of the coconut water is a little bit off at this time.

Obviously, business is business. Less husks  means more space, more coconut pieces. Less hassles to the consumers too.

But at what price?

The certainty that it is edible is low. I have seen some being sold in London, in China Town or in some Asian stores. But there is no date or expiration, so I have never bought one. 

Though this might be the case abroad, when buying, I hope they are still edible. And the coconut water isn't off.

The best way to drink them is when chilled. I can imagine seeing people drinking them on holiday in exotic and tropical places. But do they taste the same? Perhaps.

Can my own coconut man invite you to try his own produce?? Only in the Philippines!

All images are mine and taken with Samsung Galaxy S7.