Pressed Coconut Water vs Regular Coconut Water: Key Differences

Coconut water has emerged as a popular tropical beverage owing to its potential to replenish electrolytes and provide hydration during warm summer days. Its benefits have been endorsed by renowned professional athletes, and it has become a daily routine for many individuals. However, in recent times, a new variety of coconut water has flooded the market – pressed coconut water.

Pressed coconut water is a drinkable liquid that is produced by pressing the entire coconut into a creamy, cloudy, and grainy drink. It is known to be rich in nutrients and provides a refreshing taste. This novel form of coconut water has garnered attention, and its unique attributes have led to a growing interest among consumers.

But what exactly is pressed coconut water and how much does it differ in characteristics and nutrition from regular coconut water? Keep reading to find out the verdict of the pressed coconut water vs regular debate.

Key Takeaways

• Pressed coconut water is a new type of coconut water that has gained popularity in recent times due to its unique attributes and potential health benefits.
• The major difference between pressed coconut water and regular coconut water is that pressed coconut water contains chunks of the coconut flesh itself, while regular coconut water is just the clear water obtained from cracking a coconut.
• The appearance and taste of pressed and regular coconut water are quite different. Pressed coconut water has a cloudy, milk-like consistency and a more pronounced coconut flavor, while regular coconut water is usually clear and colorless with a neutral to slightly sweet taste.
• The nutritional profiles of pressed and regular coconut water differ slightly. Pressed coconut water is higher in calories, carbohydrates, fat, and sugar but has a lower content of minerals and Vitamin C than regular coconut water.
• Pressed coconut water has a low glycemic index and contains less sugar than most beverages and fruit juices, making it a good option for people with diabetes or those looking to reduce their sugar intake.

Pressed Coconut Water vs Regular

The major difference between pressed coconut water and regular water is the very content. While coconut water is the clear water that is obtained on cracking a coconut, pressed coconut water contains chunks of the coconut flesh itself. More such factors set the two apart and they have been listed below. 

The glycemic of pressed coconut water depends on factors such as added preservatives, flavors, or even the amount of fruit pulp in it, and thus a definite number cannot be ascertained.

3 Key Differences

Below provided is a detailed analysis of the key factors that differentiate pressed coconut water and regular coconut water. Read on to find out:

Appearance

The most noticeable difference between regular coconut water and pressed coconut water is their appearance.

While traditional coconut water products are usually clear and colorless, pressed coconut water has a cloudy, milk-like consistency due to the fat content of the coconut flesh which is normally excluded from regular coconut water. This stark contrast in appearance makes them look like entirely different beverages.

Taste

When it comes to taste, regular coconut water tastes neutral, bland, and sometimes bitter, while pressed coconut water has a more pronounced coconut flavor, similar to coconut oil.

Some coconut enthusiasts say that pressed coconut water tastes just like the fresh coconut water that you would drink directly from the fruit.

Nutrition

The calorific value of pressed coconut water is slightly more than plain unpressed coconut water. Although the difference is not much, it becomes significant when several servings of pressed coconut water are concerned.

Regular coconut water has no fat content but that is not the case with the pressed counterpart as adding the fruit pulp along with preservatives adds a little fat to the drink.

The sodium content of pressed coconut water might be concerning but it is countered well with the amount of potassium it has.

Nutrition Facts

The nutritional profiles of both pressed coconut water and normal coconut water have been provided below. Nutritional profiling helps to know the nutrient content of your food and drinks.

A nutritional chart for both types of coconut water, based on a 100 ml serving, is presented below.

It can be seen that Pressed coconut water is higher in calories, carbohydrates, fat, and sugar but it has a lower content of minerals and Vitamin C than regular coconut water.

Pressed Coconut Water

Pressed coconut water is a refreshing and nutrient-rich drink made by pressing the entire coconut. The process involves using the whole fruit, which gives the drink its unique, creamy, and slightly grainy texture. Many consumers enjoy the frothy and grainy consistency of this drink.

Health Benefits of Pressed Coconut Water 

• It has a low glycemic index, which is rare for packaged beverages and thus it can be safely consumed by people with diabetes. Drinks with a high GI can destabilize blood sugar levels. ^[1]
• 100 ml of pressed coconut water contains less than 5 grams of sugar, which is much less than beverages and fruit juices available.
• Pressed coconut water contains high amounts of Potassium. Potassium in the diet is important to combat the negative effects of sodium as well as reduce risks of blood pressure and coronary heart diseases in middle-aged people. ^[2]
• It also contains satisfactory amounts of other minerals and electrolytes, all of which have proven health regulation benefits.

Storage and Shelf Life of Pressed Coconut Water

If unopened, pressed coconut water can last for 2-3 months given that it is refrigerated at all times. Once opened, it should be consumed within a week.

Pressed coconut water is a perishable product and should be treated like milk. A spoiled cab of pressed coconut water will start to taste sour with a hint of rancidity and that should not be consumed.

What Does Pressed Coconut Water Taste Like?

Pressed coconut water has a distinct coconut flavor, resembling that of coconut oil. Pressed coconut water has a slightly nuttier and earthier taste with a hint of sweetness.  It is a popular choice for those who prefer a lighter and less sugary beverage.

What Is Pressed Coconut Water Used For?

Here are the primary uses of pressed coconut water:

• As a beverage
• In juices, mixed drinks and recipes

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Regular Coconut Water

Coconut water although available in packaged form, can also be sourced directly from coconuts. Most countries in Asia get it by buying fruit and some places do not even charge anything for the water. The same cannot be said for the west where coconut water is sold separately. That does not make it any less fresh or unenriched.

Health Benefits of Regular Coconut Water

• Coconut water contains antioxidants that can help to combat free radicals in the body. ^[3] Free radicals can cause oxidative stress that can lead to deteriorated bodily functions.
• Coconut water may help in lowering blood sugar levels in diabetics. There is proven research ^[4] on this but on diabetic animals.
• The anti-oxidant content of coconut water can help in alleviating risks of diseases such as psoriasis, thyroid, cancer, etc. ^[5]
• Consumption of coconut water may prevent the formation of kidney stones. ^[6]
• Coconut water can reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels similar to the effects of a statin drug used to lower cholesterol. ^[7]

Storage and Shelf Life of Regular Coconut Water

Coconut water, when freshly extracted from the fruit, should be consumed within a day, after which it will start to go bad. Unopened coconut water can be refrigerated for up to 6 months but once opened it should be consumed within a week. 

What Does Regular Coconut Water Taste Like?

Coconut water has a very pleasant and fresh taste with a nutty flavor. It usually has a neutral to sweet taste, but if you drink it directly from the coconut, it can be sour. The taste of coconut water varies based on where the palm tree is grown, the saline content in the soil, the climate, and the proximity to the sea

What Is Regular Coconut Water Used For?

Here are some uses of regular coconut water:

• Used as a sports drink by endurance sports athletes or sports players as it replenishes the electrolyte count due to its high potassium content.
• As a beverage.
• In fruit juice
• In cocktails /mocktails
• Smoothies
• In certain curry recipes

Which Is Healthier Pressed Coconut Water Or Regular Coconut Water?

To properly answer this query, some of the above points should be summarized and overviewed first.

1. Glycemic index– To be fair, both pressed coconut water and the regular one have a low glycemic index but for the sake of argument, regular water has a lower value.
2. Calorific value– Regular coconut water is merely the water that is obtained from within the coconut fruit whereas pressed coconut water contains the pulp of the fruit as well. This is one of the reasons it has more calories than regular coconut water.
3. Carbohydrate, Fat, and Sugar– Pressed coconut water has a higher carbohydrate content and it also contains a little fat whereas regular coconut water does not have any fat content. Pressed coconut water also contains more natural sugar as well as added sugar, which gives it a distinct sweet and savory taste it has. The difference from the regular version is not that much but the amount becomes significant when multiple servings of pressed coconut water is concerned.
4. Nutrition– Although both types of coconut water have modest amounts of nutrients, regular coconut water certainly has an edge in this area.

Thus, after going through these conclusions, it can be said that regular coconut water is certainly much healthier than pressed coconut water.

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Final Verdict

When it comes to appearance, taste, and smell, there are noticeable differences between pressed coconut water and regular coconut water. However, in terms of nutritional content, the differences are not significant.

Pressed coconut water is ideal for those who prioritize taste over nutrition. It is more palatable, making it a better choice for mixed drinks and recipes. However, if used as an ingredient, the addition of fat calories may have an impact.

Regular coconut water is better suited for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who prioritize hydration and electrolyte replenishment over taste. It is also a better option for anyone seeking to manage their weight, as it has reduced caloric and fat contents compared to pressed coconut water.

However, the nutritional differences between the two are minimal, and the added fat calories are relatively insignificant in the context of the recommended daily allowance.

References

1. Miller, J. C. (1994). Importance of glycemic index in diabetes. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 59(3), 747S-752S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/59.3.747s
2. Weaver, C. M. (2013). Potassium and Health. Advances in Nutrition, 4(3), 368S-377S. https://doi.org/10.3945/an.112.003533
3. Manna, K., Khan, A., Kr Das, D., Bandhu Kesh, S., Das, U., Ghosh, S., Sharma Dey, R., Das Saha, K., Chakraborty, A., Chattopadhyay, S., Dey, S., & Chattopadhyay, D. (2014). Protective effect of coconut water concentrate and its active component shikimic acid against hydroperoxide mediated oxidative stress through suppression of NF-κB and activation of Nrf2 pathway. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 155(1), 132–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.04.046
4. Preetha, P. P., Devi, V. G., & Rajamohan, T. (2015). Mature coconut water exhibits antidiabetic and antithrombotic potential via L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology, 26(6), 575–583. https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2014-0126
5. Reddy, E. P., Lakshmi, T. M., & Kiran, S. R. (2018). Tender Coconut Water Uses, Health Benefits, Good Nutritive Value and Antioxidant Capacity. Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 9(4).
6. Patel, R., Asplin, J., Granja, I., Jiang, P., Osann, K., Landman, J., & Clayman, R. (2018). PD17-03 CAN COCONUT WATER CONSUMPTION POTENTIALLY PREVENT KIDNEY STONES?. The Journal of Urology, 199(4S), e384-e385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2018.02.965
7. Sandhya, V. G., & Rajamohan, T. (2008). Comparative evaluation of the hypolipidemic effects of coconut water and lovastatin in rats fed fat-cholesterol enriched diet. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 46(12), 3586–3592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2008.08.030