The clear sweet water is a good diuretic and a neutralizer for any kind of food poisoning or excessive drug use. It can cleanse the body and calm the nervous system.
    Some young Balinese men even claim that the juice of the young coconut is an aphrodisiac. They will, with raised eyebrows and a shy grin, tell you to make sure that you drink one green coconut fresh from the tree every day. The very shiny bright green coconut is recommended, just make sure it is freshly picked and has no tinge of brown on the outer shell. If you ask them what happens as a result of daily consumption of this sweet elixir, your answer will more than likely be an animated Balinese version of the French expression, “oo-la-la!” (Now there is a way to spice up your holiday!)

STEP 3:    Eat of the flesh
After your thirst is slated, you can enjoy a great tasty treat which is found inside the nut. The treat varies in texture from a soft jelly-like substance found in young green coconuts to a crisp, white, chewy substance found in more matured, brown nuts.
The jelly is a very nourishing and easily digested natural baby food, which is not to say that adults can’t join in the treat - some jelly is so sweet and creamy it is like ice cream in taste and texture. Besides enjoying the sweet taste of the soft jelly, the Balinese also use it for medicinal purposes. It settles the stomach and improves the appetite. For those who are weak and debilitated from illness, it is used as a nourishing tonic to renew strength and vigor.
The meat of the brown coconut is chewy and tasty eaten from the shell, but is more often used in cooking. (A trip through the village will certainly attest to the fact that this chewy coconut meat is great for teething babies.) Ground coconut (nyuh mekikih in the Balinese language) is sometimes toasted lightly before grating to give it a heartier taste. This slightly nut-flavored condiment is added to those wonderful banana pancakes that every visitor tries at least once for breakfast or dessert. Combined with chilli and onions, finely ground coconut makes a spicy dressing for any combination of mixed vegetable salad. Aside from tasting good, the fiber is good for digestion and rich in vitamins.
    Most visitors to Bali, after exhausting themselves touring, visiting temple ceremonies, and shopping, replenish themselves with a delicious meal in any of a great number of restaurants in Bali. The choices are sometimes overwhelming. If you want to go for something a little different why not try what the locals eat? Of course the perfect way to do this is visit a Balinese friend in his home, as many of them will gladly prepare and share a local feast with you.
If you don’t have time to visit a village home, then a simple local warung will offer nourishing and spicy meals at ridiculously low prices. In either case, practically every dish you consume will have some part of the coconut in the ingredients. For those visiting the Ubud area, there is a delightful household warung offering traditional foods. At Rumah Rodah’s, located at 24 Jalan Kajeng, just ask Ibu Sutih for suggestions on what you should try. There is a menu but it is just for guidance. The women in the kitchen will prepare special dishes and if they don’t have the necessary ingredients on hand, a youngster in the compound is quickly dispatched to get them from a nearby stall. Relax and enjoy the friendliness of a Balinese compound while your wait for a luscious repast.

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