Ingredients
The nut
- 1king coconut, thambili, orange-shelled and fresh
Equipment
- a heavy knife or machete, in practised hands
Optional
- a straw
- a squeeze of lime
- a pinch of salt
To serve
- straight from the nut, at the roadside
Directions
- Pick a nut that feels heavy for its size, which means it is full of water.
- Shake it gently. The shell should be a bright orange, unblemished and firm, without soft brown patches or cracks.
- Trim away the fibrous top with steady cuts until you reach the pale inner shell. Now find the three soft spots, the eyes, at one end.
- Discard it if it smells fermented or tastes sharp, or if it has gone pink or cloudy. A squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt is sometimes added, though most people take it plain.
- Scoop it out with a piece of the shell cut into a spoon, which is what the vendor will hand you.
Technique
- King coconut is a distinct Sri Lankan cultivar grown for drinking.
- The water is sterile inside an intact nut and deteriorates quickly once opened.
- The soft flesh is eaten afterwards with a spoon cut from the shell.
Substitutions
- Any young green drinking coconut, which is less sweet.
- Bottled coconut water, which is a different and much duller thing.
Variations
- With a squeeze of lime.
- Chilled, as served in hotels.
- With the flesh scooped out afterwards.
History
Sold from roadside piles across Sri Lanka; the orange-shelled variety is grown chiefly for drinking rather than copra.
Frequently asked questions
What is Thambili?
Thambili is a drink from Sri Lanka: king coconut water drunk straight from the orange nut, cut open to order. Sold from roadside piles across Sri Lanka; the orange-shelled variety is grown chiefly for drinking rather than copra.
How long does Thambili take to make?
Thambili takes 2 min of preparation and no cooking at all. The recipe makes 1 nut per person. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Thambili?
Yes, within limits. Any young green drinking coconut, which is less sweet. Bottled coconut water, which is a different and much duller thing.
