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Thambili (king coconut water)
තැඹිලි: chilled orange king coconut, opened at the roadside and drunk straight from the nut
All along Sri Lanka's roads, from Galle Road in Colombo to the highways into Kandy and the beaches of the south coast, vendors stack bright orange king coconuts in pyramids under umbrellas. The thambili is a variety grown on the island for drinking: smaller than a green coconut and sweeter, with a faint saltiness that makes it more refreshing than any bottled drink. It is drunk any time of day in the heat, after a long bus ride, after a cricket match, and given to people recovering from a fever because it is gentle on the stomach. The water is clear, lightly sweet and nutty, and the soft jelly inside is eaten with a spoon made from a slice of the husk. The common mistake is hacking at the side of the nut; the blade glances off and the water spills. Trim the pointed top with downward strokes until a pale circle shows, then pierce it. It is ready to drink when a small hole opens straight into the water without husk fibres. Outside Sri Lanka, young green or Thai coconuts are the nearest substitute. Chef's tip: chill the coconuts for a few hours before opening; the water tastes sweeter cold, and use a heavy knife and a towel, keeping fingers well clear.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
For the drink
- 2 king coconuts (thambili)chilled; or young green coconuts
To serve
- 1 pinch salt (optional)
- 2 lime wedges (optional)
- 4 ice cubes (optional)
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Hold one of the 2 king coconuts (thambili) upright on a board, wrapped in a towel. With a heavy knife or cleaver, shave the pointed top with firm downward strokes, turning the nut, until a pale, soft circle of shell shows. Repeat with the second coconut.
3 minStep 2: Cut or pierce a small hole through the pale circle, keeping your fingers clear, until water bubbles up.
1 minStep 3: Push in a straw and drink straight from the nut, or pour into a glass over 4 ice cubes with a pinch of 1 pinch salt and a squeeze of 2 lime wedges. Afterwards split the nut and scoop out the soft jelly with a spoon.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 45 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 10 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does thambili (king coconut water) take?
- About 5 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
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