Sealed
Cans are sterilised, cartons are UHT-treated, and both are packed light-tight. Sealed, they need no refrigeration: cool, dry and at room temperature is entirely enough. The best-before date on the pack applies to the sealed unit, stored properly.
In practice that means a supply can live in a cellar or a cupboard. Only what is about to be drunk has to go cold first.
Once opened
Every opened pack belongs in the fridge and should be finished within a day. The reason is the same one that keeps the ingredient list so short: there is nothing in there holding the product stable beyond that.
The carton's screw cap helps, but it is no substitute for cooling. With the litre pack it pays to plan for several glasses at once.
Serving
Cold, but not ice-cold — too cold and the fine finish disappears. A glass, a few ice cubes and a little lemon or mint are plenty.
As a base, coconut water works anywhere water would otherwise stand: in smoothies, in a punch, in an alcohol-free long drink. It brings almost no sweetness of its own and lets the other ingredients speak.
Frequently asked questions
How long does opened coconut water keep?
About a day in the fridge. After that the taste changes noticeably.
Does sealed coconut water need refrigerating?
No. Cool, dry and dark at room temperature is enough until the best-before date.
Can you freeze coconut water?
As ice cubes it works well and is a practical way to use up a remainder. Thawing it to drink is not something we would recommend — the texture suffers.
