# Why the antipathy toward coconut? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 27, 2011, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961 "2011-04-27T23:26:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/1 "2011-04-27T23:26:58Z")
Earlier this evening, while picking through a packet of Jelly Belly jelly beans, the sprog bit into one of the white ones before spitting it out in disgust. He does not like coconut in any form and regards it with the same scorn he expresses for liver and other foods he really doesn’t like. I know that a lot of people have that same strong feeling about coconut. It’s the piece you don’t want if you have a box of candy. Or you love it and will gladly eat the coconut candy in the box, the coconut jelly beans, Mounds/Almond Joy bars, and you buy coconut to eat it straight. I’m in the latter category, so I can’t understand why the sprog is in the former. So, if you like it, why? And if you don’t like it, why? And how strong is your opinion one way or the other? ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/2 "2011-04-27T23:28:59Z")
I only like coconut if it’s real coconut. Shredded in a Mounds bar is good, on a cupcake, and a few times I’ve bought one at the store, cracked it open with a hammer, and went to _town_ on that bad boy. But nasty, coconut “flavor” that’s in jelly beans, bad pina colada mix, etc…? Blech. ---
**Author:** ![Sierra\_Indigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/3 "2011-04-27T23:32:51Z")
There’s three different coconuts we’re talking about here: Coconut flavour: Coconut cream/milk as used in curries and some desserts. Nice, rich, mellow and sweet but very tasty. A very definable taste. I like it. “Coconut” flavour: We hates it, precioussss. It’s overly sweet, overly aggressive. It doesn’t meld with anything, it just IS. It’s almost as bad as licorice when we’re talking about candy. Coconut flesh: Never had it fresh, so I can’t comment. But I loathe the texture of shredded/dessicated coconut. If I eat something with coconut (say cookies with it in) I end up with bits of coconut in my mouth for ages, and they seem to multiply. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/4 "2011-04-27T23:51:14Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > Or you love it and will gladly eat the coconut candy in the box, the coconut jelly beans, Mounds/Almond Joy bars, and you buy coconut to eat it straight. I’m in the latter category, so I can’t understand why the sprog is in the former. I think it’s the mouth-feel that turns people off more than the flavor. Some people don’t like either. Some people like the flavor a little, but not enough to overlook their dislike of the mouth-feel. I don’t like nuts in brownies; TEHO. The characters in Peanuts were often shown reacting to unexpected coconut as if someone had spit in their food, but perhaps it is like that for cocophobes. I love Easter, man. Right now I’ve got one (big) coconut egg, two bags of coconut M&Ms, and three bags of those (small) Dove coconut eggs. I didn’t get Almond Joy eggs, but it looks as if Mounds eggs are not coming back, so next year I guess I’ll get AJ eggs and spit out the almonds. :dubious: I’d say the only coconut tidbit I don’t like is a Snowball, but that’s because **I** don’t like the mouthfeel of that white Hostess glop! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/5 "2011-04-27T23:52:46Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > And if you don’t like it, why? I’m tempted to just say “Because it’s _gnasty_!” But that wouldn’t be very enlightening. Why _do_ people dislike the things they dislike? In my case, I’ve never liked coconut. I remember disliking it ever since I was a little kid, and since I know I don’t like it, I’m not going to go around eating it to try to figure out why I don’t like it, though every so often I eat some by mistake. I think it’s partly the texture and partly the flavor. Except that I’ve relatively recently discovered that I love things like curries that are made with coconut milk. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/6 "2011-04-27T23:59:24Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > But nasty, coconut “flavor” that’s in jelly beans, bad pina colada mix, etc…? Blech. > [@Sierra\_Indigo](#): > > “Coconut” flavour: We hates it, precioussss. It’s overly sweet, overly aggressive. It doesn’t meld with anything, it just IS. It’s almost as bad as licorice when we’re talking about candy. Bingo. Like with bananas, there’s coconut, and there’s “coconut flavored,” and while the former is just fine, good even, the latter is universally awful. ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/7 "2011-04-28T00:16:23Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > **I think it’s the mouth-feel that turns people off more than the flavor. Some people don’t like either.** Some people like the flavor a little, but not enough to overlook their dislike of the mouth-feel. I don’t like nuts in brownies; TEHO. The characters in Peanuts were often shown reacting to unexpected coconut as if someone had spit in their food, but perhaps it is like that for cocophobes. > > I love Easter, man. Right now I’ve got one (big) coconut egg, two bags of coconut M&Ms, and three bags of those (small) Dove coconut eggs. I didn’t get Almond Joy eggs, but it looks as if Mounds eggs are not coming back, so next year I guess I’ll get AJ eggs and spit out the almonds. :dubious: I’d say the only coconut tidbit I don’t like is a Snowball, but that’s because **I** don’t like the mouthfeel of that white Hostess glop! Yep, that’s it for me. I am not sure if I’d like the flavor or not, as I can’t get past that nasty, gritty texture. It’s like there’s sand mixed in with it. Ewww. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/8 "2011-04-28T00:33:02Z")
Coconut milk in curries is delicious. Coconut in anything else I can take or leave. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/9 "2011-04-28T00:46:26Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Coconut milk in curries is delicious. Coconut in anything else I can take or leave. If you are gifted with a coconut cake you may send it to me. ---
**Author:** ![Maiira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Maiira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maiira)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/10 "2011-04-28T00:56:11Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > I only like coconut if it’s real coconut. Shredded in a Mounds bar is good, on a cupcake, and a few times I’ve bought one at the store, cracked it open with a hammer, and went to _town_ on that bad boy. > > But nasty, coconut “flavor” that’s in jelly beans, bad pina colada mix, etc…? Blech. Heh, should’ve read the entire first post before I voted. I said “I love it!” but this answer is closer to mine. Actual coconut? Lovely. Fake coconut flavor? Blech. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/11 "2011-04-28T01:31:34Z")
We are over sensitive to it we are … and I really do not like eating anything that gives me stomach upset and the shits, so it and all it’s assorted other parts are off my menu entirely - no coconut, no tropical oils, no palm sugar … no coconut cream, milk, water, jelly. Nothing. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/12 "2011-04-28T01:40:21Z")
I loooooove coconut. The highlight of my Easter meal was eating the coconut cupcake my mom brought 500 miles from her neighborhood deli, the best coconut cupcakes in the world. It just tastes good, man. There is no other explanation. Ooh, and the coconut creme brule at one of my favorite restaurants. Eyes-rolling-back-in-their-sockets good. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/13 "2011-04-28T01:49:38Z")
I can’t stand coconut. I much prefer liver (but that’s one of my favorites). ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/14 "2011-04-28T02:45:35Z")
I like coconut but I can see why a lot of people don’t. Real shredded coconut’s got a gritty texture to it and that can be off-putting. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/15 "2011-04-28T02:50:51Z")
> [@Maiira](#): > > Heh, should’ve read the entire first post before I voted. I said “I love it!” but this answer is closer to mine. Actual coconut? Lovely. Fake coconut flavor? Blech. The poll itself asks about “coconut,” not “nasty fake coconut flavor.” If anyone reading this actually uses piña colada _mix_, I beg you to throw it away. Real piña coladas are _easy_ to make. And oh–so much better. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/16 "2011-04-28T03:00:48Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > So, if you like it, why? And if you don’t like it, why? And how strong is your opinion one way or the other? Category Not Listed: It’s great in some things, not so much in others. Maybe that falls up under a broad interpretation of “I can take it or leave it,” but I really _do_ like coconut certain ways. For me, it’s a good “mix” flavor; by itself, it’s just “Eh” to “okay.” Added with the right other flavor, though… Coconut Jelly Beans: Meh. Actual Coconut: Okay. Mounds/Almond Joys/Macaroons: Good to Very Good Coconut Juice w/“other” juice: Very Good Coconut Juice w/Rum: Very Good ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/17 "2011-04-28T03:08:15Z")
I like mine with lime. ---
**Author:** ![Silent\_Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Silent\_Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silent_Kal)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/18 "2011-04-28T03:14:16Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > And if you don’t like it, why? Can’t help but be reminded of the classic Warner Bros. cartoon “[Much Ado About Nutting](http://www.fandango.com/muchadoaboutnutting_v147289/plotsummary).” Poor squirrel. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/19 "2011-04-28T03:29:06Z")
My husband doesn’t like it but I love it. I even love the chewy grittiness of it. I think it’s fun to chew each little piece and feel it splitting and smashing to pulp. Yay for coconut! It’s a food AND it’s a mouth toy! ---
**Author:** ![NiceGuyJack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/niceguyjack/32/3069_2.png) [@NiceGuyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NiceGuyJack)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961/20 "2011-04-28T03:35:05Z")
I love it in all its forms. Having once almost been killed by a coconut. (Sitting under a palm tree on a beach in Thailand when I heard a heavy thud in the sand. I looked and saw a coconut the size, and in my imagination, the weight of a bowling ball less than a foot from where my head was). I now feel it’s better to reduce the threat of coconut death and injury by consuming them. Good thing I love coconut! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-antipathy-toward-coconut/579961.md?page=2)