There’s nothing quite like downing a large swig of coconut water on a hot day. But what is pressed coconut water? Is there a difference between pressed coconut water and regular coconut water?
I’ll cover all the details – how it’s made, nutritional facts, benefits, uses, all of it. Let’s dive in.
So, what IS pressed coconut water?
Pressed coconut water has bits of coconut flesh in it. It’s made by pressing a coconut and produces a creamy, thirst-quenching drink. By contrast, fresh coconut water does not have any pieces of the coconut in it – and it is extracted directly from the center of the coconut.
The good news is that both are very nutritious and offer tons of hydration when you need it. Yet, there are subtle differences. Let’s dig deeper.
How to make pressed coconut water
As you might’ve guessed, pressed coconut water is made by pressing the entire coconut, producing a creamy drink. It comes as no surprise that pressed coconut water tends to have slightly more calories than regular coconut water, largely due to the small bits of coconut meat that end up in this drink. Generally, pressed coconut water is what you’ll find in your local convenience or corner store in those rectangular cardboard containers.
Pressed coconut water nutritional facts
Due to pressed coconut water containing bits of coconut meat, it also contains slightly more fat when compared to regular coconut water. (Same with calories and carbs. There’s just more substance to it in general!)
However, both offer ample sodium and potassium, electrolytes you’ll definitely want to replenish if you’ve been sweating profusely. The table below offers a further breakdown of the nutritional comparisons between pressed coconut water and regular coconut water.
| 8 ounces | Pressed Coconut Water | Regular Coconut Water |
| Calories | 60 calories | 45 calories |
| Total Fat | 1 grams | 0 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 12 grams | 11 grams |
| Protein | 0 grams | 0 grams |
| Vegan? | Yes | Yes |
| Keto friendly? | Yes | Yes |
| Allergens? | Coconut and tree nut allergies | Coconut and tree nut allergies |
| Gluten free? | Yes | Yes |
From USDA
Pressed coconut water uses
For the most part, pressed coconut water is used as a hydrating drink to help replenish fluids and electrolytes lost due to heat or intense physical activity – same as regular coconut water. Unlike popular electrolyte sports drinks, coconut water further contains far less sugar, potentially making it a better option for many people.
In general, coconut water has many health benefits.
Key differences between pressed coconut water vs regular coconut water
The biggest difference between pressed coconut water and regular coconut water is in how they’re made. Pressed coconut water is made by pressing the whole coconut to create a thicker, creamy drink – while regular coconut water is just the fluid already in the coconut. The other major differences between them are their nutritional differences and flavor. Let’s dive in.
While similar, pressed coconut water and regular coconut water undeniably have slight differences, as demonstrated by the nutritional table above. Arguably, many prefer pressed coconut water over regular coconut water due to its flavor. However, this could also be a preference due to availability based on where you live.
Ingredients in Pressed Coconut Water vs Regular Coconut Water
As previously mentioned, regular coconut water comes directly from the center of the coconut and doesn’t contain any coconut meat. Meanwhile, pressed coconut water is made by pressing the coconut, where the end product contains the coconut water and bits of the coconut meat.
Comparing How Pressed Coconut Water vs Regular Coconut Water Taste
If you prefer a stronger coconut taste, pressed coconut water is the way to go. This version will have a much more potent coconut-y flavor due to the small bits of pulp present. It is often sweeter than regular coconut water as well.
In contrast, regular coconut water has more of a bland test, similar to regular water. Occasionally, it may also taste a bit bitter. This may depend on the freshness of the coconut!
I generally prefer pressed coconut water over regular coconut water due to its superior flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pressed coconut water is made by pressing the coconut; thus, it contains some bits of coconut meat. Coconut water, on the other hand, comes straight from the middle of a coconut, no processing required!
Coconut water and coconut milk are not one and the same. Coconut milk is a combination of water and grated coconut. Coconut water is merely made by extracting the liquid in the center or by pressing the coconut, without any grated coconut blended in.
Many popular and well-known coconut water brands are pasteurized. This is largely to ensure they are safe for vulnerable populations and pregnant women. Pasteurized means that the water is filtered to remove any bacteria or germs.
This depends on your goals and what’s available to you. Pressed coconut water contains slightly more calories. Yet, more people can access pressed coconut water than unpressed coconut water.
Drinking one to two cups of coconut water daily is completely safe! You’ll likely be hydrated and be adequately replenishing necessary electrolytes.
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