Should I Buy a Coconut Bowl and Spoon?

Spoons and bowls made from coconut shells help them stand out amidst the many synthetic and processed products. They reflect the willingness to embrace the use of natural and organic products that are all-natural. Coconut shells can also double up as décor for your home as they are a versatile product and, in the right hands, can make your dwelling exude an air of sophistication.

Coconut bowls as a product symbolise both uniqueness and sustainability. They are born out of waste. In that sense, they portray that natural products never truly run out of use, even if that appears to be the case. 

When you consume food with a coconut bowl and spoon, there is the feeling that one is close to mother nature. The raw material source for coconut bowls and spoons is coconut shells that, if not used, would otherwise be discarded. Utilising these ready-to-discard shells is an excellent example of recycling products.  

Coconut Bowls & Spoons -  From Shells to Finished Product:

The coconut shells are sourced from many locations the world over, and instead of them being dumped are used to make coconut bowls and coconut shell spoons. 

The raw shells end up with talented artisans who use their skills to make coconut spoons and bowls in many unique designs and patterns. Coconut cutlery is super safe as they are a 100% natural product and use no BPA, synthetics and plastics, unlike other mass-produced products. When used, you are doing your health a favour.  

Process of Making Coconut Bowls & Coconut Shell Spoons:

The method of making bowls from coconut shells and coconut shell spoons begins with identifying the raw materials needed to make a coconut bowl and spoon. They are:

• Mature coconuts
• Handsaw
• Sandpaper
• Brush
• Linseed oil

The first step to making a coconut bowl is to cut the coconut evenly in half with the handsaw. Next, empty the coconut of the water and scoop out the meat for later consumption.

It is now time to put out the sandpaper to use to sand the surfaces of inner surface of the now-empty coconut shells till it obtains a smooth texture. Medium-grit sandpaper is the best option as it will not affect the naturally occurring patterns on the shells. 

Cleaning the inside of the shells and ensuring that they are evenly scraped will leave behind a flawless and smooth texture which will help the bowls and spoons a sight to behold. 

The outer layer of coconut shell spoons always lets off their natural shine. They can however be polished in case you are looking to accentuate their beauty further. Now you may proceed to lacquer the shells with linseed oil, both outside and inside. If you prefer to retain a more natural look, stick to polishing the inner side alone.  

Once the lacquering process is complete, let the bowls and coconut shell spoons dry at room temperature. 

The artisans may proceed with carving intricate designs on the outer layer of the bowls and spoons. The carvings highlight the talent of the artisans who create these wonderful works of art. 

The cost of the coconut cutlery may depend on the intricacy and precision of the craftwork. 


Also Read: Reasons to Eat in a Coconut Bowl with Spoon

Standout Features of Coconut Bowls and Spoons:

Even though they are made out of coconut shells, they have the look and feel of food once finished. This gives them a premium look and, due to their neutral appearance, will blend in well with your home decor. Coconut bowls and spoons are effectively a gift from nature. Unlike mass-produced products, these can be disposed of safely with no harm to the environment. 

Let’s get into the benefits of using coconut bowls and spoons:

• Coconut bowls and spoons are highly sustainable, and what’s more, they are 100% biodegradable.
• Coconut bowl and spoon production give employment to many craftsmen and artisans who would otherwise be without a job. Having meaningful work helps them to provide for their families. 
• Purchasing coconut shell spoons offer a sense of comfort in the sense that we are doing our bit to contribute to the environment and help take care of the planet. 
• When we use coconut shell spoons, even if it is just one coconut bowl and spoon, it helps reduce the impact of plastic pollution in the environment as it is an all-natural and zero-waste product. 
• As coconut shell spoons are reusable, they do not pose any threat to marine life and wildlife in the oceans and on land. 
• Organic Coconut bowls and spoons are very presentable forms of cutlery, and they are suitable for meals when you may have guests over. They are, in fact, comparable in aesthetic value to any fancy china. 

Steps to Care for Coconut Bowls and Spoons:

It is an effortless endeavour to look after a coconut bowl and spoon due to it being a sustainable and eco-friendly product. However, like everything else, coconut bowls and coconut shell spoons too require to be showered a little love now and then if they are to keep their beautiful and shiny appearance for a long while. 

Now, as coconut bowls do not undergo any artificial processing techniques with chemicals of any kind, they are not as durable as plastic or mass-produced synthetic bowls. Thus, the only way in which they can be kept in an ideal condition is by frequently polishing them. When frequently polished, they keep up with their shiny new appearance and also last much longer. 

Cleaning coconut bowls and even a regular coconut and spoon set is effortless when compared to your everyday pots and pans being used in the kitchen. All that is needed is for you to rinse the coconut bowls and spoons with warm soapy water and wipe it down with a gentle cloth. Once rinsed, let it dry for a while. 

These steps will ensure the longevity of coconut bowls and spoons. It is best if they are stored at normal room temperature. 

The surface of any coconut bowl and spoon is known to get a coarse texture over time due to its exposure to oxygen in the atmosphere. Coconut Shell Spoons may also get damaged when there is sustained exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The best possible way to counter this is to polish all coconut bowls and spoons. Take any soft fabric on hand, drop a few drops of flaxseed, coconut or linseed oil on it and give the coconut bowl and spoon a good rub down to restore the shine. 

Extra Precautions While Using Coconut Bowls:

Avoid placing any coconut bowl and spoon in the microwave oven, as they can be very sensitive to heat. Excess heat, like that from a microwave, can make organic coconut bowls expand and then perhaps even crack. This happens by thermal expansion. 

For the very same reason, it would be advisable to keep any coconut bowl and spoon away from the dishwasher as it uses hot water to clean the dishes. 

Likewise, placing organic coconut bowls in a freezer will also adversely affect their quality. Both excess heat and cold are best avoided. The moisture content in coconut bowls and spoons increases manifold with an extreme drop in temperature, which will lead to it getting cracks. Leaving any food items overnight in the coconut bowls will also affect their lifespan as a coconut bowl and spoon are known to be porous. The bowl will absorb the moisture from the food and its flavours, too, if left overnight. 

Be sure not to use any other oils apart from coconut, linseed or flaxseed oils for taking care of your precious coconut bowls and spoons, as vegetable oils negatively react with these bowls and make them give off a foul odour.   

Conclusion:

Coconut shells, when used, help save nature. Not only are many useful coconut shells stopped from ending up in landfills, but buying coconut bowls and spoons means plastic products are not purchased. 

So there are two benefits for mother nature. The first is that plastic products are very polluting and take many years to decompose, and natural products are being used as a substitute. 

Secondly, when you purchase beautifully crafted organic bowls from talented and hardworking artisans, you help them by giving them means of livelihood. They also feel encouraged and appreciated and will continue making beautiful coconut bowls and spoons with complicated and intricate designs that will leave the buyer spellbound by their beauty.





Authored By: Bhavishya Pahwa

About the Author: Bhavishya Pahwa is a budding writer who has always confided in a pen. He believes that art is a cure-all and that introspection followed by writing can add to the sanity of the world.