Sometimes, the weather in a tropical country like the Philippines can get quite warm, and being outside to relax or just see the sights can be quite a challenge.  Fortunately, being in a tropical country also means you can never be too far from tropical fruits, like coconut.  The coconut has long been known and utilized for the seemingly endless variety of products that can be harvested from it.  Particularly in the summer, coconut is most in-demand in the form of buko juice, which is sold in carts and stalls just about anywhere in the Philippines.

Buko in Filipino refers to young coconut, the ones which are green on the outside.  Vendors are particularly skilled at chopping off one part of the husk to expose the soft, fleshy insides that bear the coconut water. This is done to assure the patron that the juice is definitely fresh.  One can already drink the coconut water as it is, or drink through a straw for a more leisurely experience.  Another preparation for it is to have the water with shredded meat from the same fruit.  The meat is soft, chewey and tender and the strips made from scraping it off the fruit complement the juice well having just a hint of sweetness.  Another popular way to enjoy buko juice is to have the water and meat and add milk to it, giving it a smoother texture and a creamier flavor.


Any way you want it prepared, buko juice is a refreshing drink full of nutrients and minerals that are sure to replenish the fluids in your body that is lost during a hot day. Make sure you don't miss out on this simple yet comforting drink that is as close to nature as you can get.