Have you tried coconut water yet? Since the commercial-scale introduction of coconut water to the US in 2004, this product has experienced a surge in popularity unrivaled even by pop stars or charismatic politicians. If you’re not familiar with coconut water (sometimes called coconut juice), it’s the liquid inside young, green coconuts. Clear or slightly yellow in color, coconut water has a delicate flavor and contains no fat. Coconut water should not be confused with coconut milk, which is an opaque, white liquid, high in fat, used mostly for cooking. Fresh coconut water has been consumed for millennia in the tropics. Those of us who live in cooler climes, however, have access only to the shelf-stable, pasteurized varieties in cans or tetrapaks (the rectangular, recyclable containers used so often for shelf-stable beverages). At least, that was the case until Harmless Harvest came along.
To eliminate pathogens Harmless Harvest coconut water is treated with a process called HPP or High Pressure Processing. This minimally affects the flavor of products, unlike heat pasteurization, which is known to change taste significantly.
Using a technology relatively new to the food industry, Harmless Harvest offers a raw, organic coconut water. Their coconut water is treated to eliminate pathogens (bacteria unfriendly to humans), but the treatment is done with pressure, not heat. This type of treatment, called HPP or High Pressure Processing, minimally affects the flavor of products, unlike heat pasteurization, which is known to change taste significantly. As I write this, I finished an article on coconut water last week for another website. I tasted 43 coconut waters, and the one I tried from Harmless Harvest really was like a different product. It was much more complex and nuanced than other coconut waters I tried.
Because they have not been hybridized with shorter – more practical – varieties, these coconut trees grow up to 100 feet high.
The harvester climbs up a bamboo ladder and cuts a cluster off, then gently ropes it down into the canal below.
A gatherer paddles through and collects the clusters.
That same evening, the day’s harvest is brought to a small facility where the water is extracted and bottled.
But that’s not the only reason I like this small company. I talked to one of the two heads of this business for over an hour. He’s done his research, but more importantly he’s genuinely concerned about the type of product he’s bringing to market, and how it will be marketed. It’s taken these folks roughly two and a half years to get everything in this product to their satisfaction, from sourcing (farms in northern and central Thailand who have never used pesticides) to keeping coconut water’s nutrient integrity.
Electrolytes get their name from the positive or negative electrical charges they utilize to get their work done. Generally they help cells make energy and keep their physical integrity. Harmless Harvest water contains these five.
The emphasis isn’t on trying to convince you that coconut water is responsible for miracle cures or which celebrities they can pay to drink their coconut water. Instead, the focus here is on the product: how it tastes, how it’s obtained, keeping it safe for consumers. Call me crazy, but I think that’s the way companies should be.
Harmless Harvest will be sold exclusively at Whole Foods Markets until December 2001. Look for this happy bottle in the refrigerated section.
Harmless Harvest will be sold exclusively at Whole Foods Markets until December of 2011 (you might have trouble finding it outside of the NY/NJ area until autumn); look for it in the refrigerated foods section. As usual, I urge you to do your own coconut water taste tests (though you needn’t try 43 kinds!) and see what you like. But I regard this coconut water as something special.
kara rane
August 14, 2011
hi Stephanie-
very informative-Thank YOU*
being lucky, I have had coconut water as a native so am always disappointed with anything less than the real thing. I look forward to trying Harmless Harvest brand.
& completely agree, it is important to support companies and small business with our $.
Nellie RM
September 10, 2011
Hi Stephanie,
Very informative and True. I was born in. A Tropical Island, and have tasted the real
Deal. Of all the commercial coconut water I have tried Harmless Harvest is the best.
I tried it at a Demo in Whole Foods in Milford CT. I liked so much I purchased a case
Right then. Love it. I am happy to support a company with Respect for the environment
And the consumer’s health.
David Lobo
November 25, 2011
We are into coconut hybrid seedling production and are entering the value added industry. We wish to know more and possibly buy the technology that you have for the sterilization of Tender Coconut Water.
I have tried to phone you at 347-688-6286 a few times but no one answers and I have left a recorded msg. I look forward to hearing from you.
With best wishes,
David Lobo
Giuseppe
December 12, 2011
I have tried the Harmless Harvest Raw Coconut Water and the taste is the absolute best of any commercial bottled coconut water that I have tried.I imagine the price point ($2.49 plus tax in NJ for an 8 fl. oz. bottle) reflects the organic young green coconut source, cost of production, and grab-and-go convenience (i.e. hop into Whole Foods and grab a refrigerated bottle instead of having to juice a coconut yourself). If the product is indeed safe and poses no risk of bacteria then this really is something special.
Ilse
December 19, 2011
I love the 100% Raw Coconut Water but noticed the 247mg of sodium per bottle.
Could you please tell me if this is naturally in the water or if you have added additional sodium?
Thank you for your reply
Jeanie
January 13, 2012
I have tried every coconut water on the market and nothing compares to Harmless Harvest. You only taste the pureness of the coconut. I am so pleased I have found something I love. I have a question how long can you keep the water before it goes bad, I noticed it becomes pink in color if I do no drink it right away.
Harmless Harvest
February 15, 2012
We’re blushing! And yes, our coconut water sometimes does too! Thanks for the great article and kind comments.
Just to clear some things up: our coconut water is only that, coconut water. Nothing added and never heated. It contains only naturally occurring sodium, without treatments or preservatives like ascorbic acid to subdue natural color variations. The pink blush the coconut water sometimes has is exactly how nature made it, and tastes just the same! Our bottles have a “best by” date on them, which tells you how long your bottle will be in its prime. Thanks again for all the love! Check out our website or facebook for more info!
michael macaluso
February 17, 2012
i live in miami and like to buy few cases of coconut water for my home,. wholefoods on southbeach is always out, i check everyday,they said they are afraid to stock up on it because it turns pink and goes bad very fast,. 631 903 2177. i would like to carry this product as well for my gyms that i own. michael macaluso. pleae help i want to buy your product and its been impossible and its reflecting on your company that things arent oerating smotthly at all. when u try to spend your money in these hard times and u cant, somethiung must be very wrong,. can u help or should i buy your competitors products…
Harmless Harvest
February 20, 2012
@Michael – Glad you’re enjoying the coconut water but very unhappy to hear you’re having trouble getting it!! Some stores are selling out much faster than they expect, but of course, we want it to be easy for you to get our coconut water. We will be in touch shortly.
Also, see our comment above or http://harmlesscoconut.com/Harmless_Coconut/pink.html for more info on why our coconut water is sometimes pink (hint: NOT because it has gone bad).
Karen Cappuccio
March 2, 2012
Hi – I’m still trying to get the answer to my basic questions – WHAT IS ORGANIC COCONUT WATER GOOD FOR – HOW DO YOU USE IT ? Can any one out there help me? Please give it to me as simply as you can – THANKS!
Debbie
March 8, 2012
I live in Columbia, South Carolina. What stores sells the 100% coconut water? We will have a Wholf Foods in our area in the fall. We do however, have a Fresh Market, Publix and other helath food stores. Would we be able to find it in those stores? Thank you.
Reine Sarmiento
March 10, 2012
This water is AWESOME and is worth every penny. The most frustrating thing is trying to find it in the store. Whole Foods carries it, but not every store. I’d like to see if there is a way of buying in bulk in the hopes of getting it cheaper.
Sofya Prezhemeslyaner
March 14, 2012
Best coconut water I have ever tried. Really. And I’ve tried many different brands. This is the only one that is raw and has authentic taste. Good job, Harmless Harvest. Im looking forward to try more products from you.
Katrina
March 23, 2012
I grew up in a tropical island drinking the real thing. I’ve tried everything from Zico, Vitacoco, naked, One, and the ones from Asian food stores. Harmless Harvest is the best one out there. I bought a case after two days of drinking this and I bought out every bottle in Whole Foods today!
Harmless Harvest
March 28, 2012
Thank you so much for the kind comments!
@Debbie-Right now the closest location we have is in Greenville, SC at the Whole Foods Woodruff. You can see different locations here:
http://batchgeo.com/map/?i=7b61acb1250fab33249652f91a2f2f73&q=29201
We are still a very young company so hopefully you all will have patience with us as we grow! Thank you again!!
evelyn smith
April 8, 2012
I am a Jamaican ,living in America. This is the only coconut water that tastes
like the real thing in America. I have tried them all. Please tell me if your
bottles are BPA free.
Georgia
April 12, 2012
I wanted to buy by the case from Amazon, but they are out of stock. Need to get the best $$ on your fine product. Amazon is supposed to notify me when it is in stock. Any idea how long I will have to wait?
GP
April 15, 2012
Excellent product! My wife and I love them and just cleaned out the Orlando Whole Foods of their sole case. Hopefully they’ll see the demand and stock more. I hope this stuff catches on and you guys at HH can further reduce costs.
Love from Florida!
Harmless Harvest
April 30, 2012
@evelyn – Feel free to email us with questions, I think we’ve been in contact via phone and email! Our coconut water is bottled in BPA-free PET1 bottles.
@Georgia – We’re not sold by Amazon quite yet. We’re still looking into the best ways to get our perishable coconut water to you via online ordering and delivery! Our facebook is a great way to stay up-to-date with everything Harmless (http://www.facebook.com/HarmlessHarvest)
@GP -Glad you’re enjoying our coconut water, and hopefully your Whole Foods gets the hint! 😉
emily
May 9, 2012
i just discovered your raw and organic coconut water and I am blown away by how good it tastes and makes me feel. Is it possible to order on line?So far I have only seen it in one store in our area. Keep up the great work!!
emily
Cheryl
May 11, 2012
I have and the flu all day today tried to drink water but could keep itching down. I asked my daughter to bring me some recharge and she brought me this at 5:00 pm. It has been over an hour and I am able to keep it down yaaaaaa. Great stuff
Harmless Harvest
May 14, 2012
@Emily- Thank you! We are working on an option for ordering our coconut water online, just want to make sure quality is maintained every step of the way!
@Cheryl- So glad we could help! Hope you’re feeling better!
Mohini
June 19, 2012
I have been taking harmless coconut water. It does taste very good, but I have a question—do you clean the coconut before you bottle the coconut water. Lot of people are handling the coconut—that is the only concern I have. I want to make sure it is safe to drink —thanks,
Mohini
sandra
June 26, 2012
hi i am from montreal canada and i cant find raw organic cocnut water:( pls help me find a way of buying this product and having it shipped here
Jovie Santos
July 8, 2012
grew up in a coconut country and tried this raw coconut juice – so impressed that it really tastes as IN freshly harvested coconut juice.. so, refreshing!! love it so much..
natalie
July 11, 2012
Hi – I just bought a bottle of this tonight and honestly can’t believe how disgusting it tastes. I’m not being funny but should it smell/taste like burnt sulphur? I think there must be something wrong with the one I bought, especially since everyone else is raving about how fresh and gorgeous this drink tastes.
Please let me know what you think, Thanks.
Fruvy Rivera
August 23, 2012
How is a high pressure processing done?
Harmless Harvest
August 29, 2012
@Mohini – The coconuts are washed before cutting, and hand contact is made with the coconut water.
@Sandra – Right now we’re focusing on the US, but stay tuned to http://www.facebook.com/harmlessharvest to learn about any new options for getting our coconut water!
@Jovie- Thanks for the support!
@Natalie- it sounds like you got a mishandled bottle! Email us at info@harmlessharvest.com so we can’t make it up to you.
@Fruvy – Learn more here: http://www.harmlesscoconut.com/Harmless_Coconut/howraw.html
Shelley
September 2, 2012
I agree with Natalie somewhat! It’s not disgusting but the taste is ‘off’! I’m shocked to hear so many island born people actually enjoy this! It tastes like the husk is in there!! Well I’ll give it a try again, I bought some pink ones! I hope they are not spoilt.
Harmless Harvest
September 3, 2012
Sorry @Mohini, we had a typo in our previous comment *NO* hand contact is made with the coconut water.
@Shelley – PINK color variation is completely normal for our coconut water. Read more here: http://www.harmlesscoconut.com/Harmless_Coconut/pink.html
Sue Nieves
September 18, 2012
I also have tried other coconut waters easily found at any local grocery store. This past week I happened to be at whole foods and noticed this raw coconut water. I decided to give it a try and I’m sold. I will never buy any other brand. It’s delicious!!
Gautam
September 29, 2012
The closest to real and fresh coconut water, if not the same. My wife is very picky about the foods and we have tried a bunch of your competitors, before settling on your product. Great product. Please keep up the good work. Would like to buy some online as the Whole Foods in my area sometimes is out of stock.
Cheri Baumgartner
September 30, 2012
i noticed it was on sale at wholefood. I bought one to try. Every other coconut water i tried was awful but this one said “raw” so I thought it might taste better. I tried it as I was walking out of whole food. I turned right back and bought 12 not knowing that they were going to expire in a few days. That is why they were on sale. I thought I might not be able to finish it in 5 days. Well, I drank twelve of them in 2 days! LOL. I am hooked. I don’t even drink water anymore. They are so delicious.
Cheri Baumgartner
September 30, 2012
How safe is the plastic bottle? are they BPA free?
Cynthia Wakeman
November 9, 2012
I tried your water for the first time yesterday. I have had fresh coconut water straight from the coconut and it never tasted like this. Is this suppose to taste like ammonia? IT WAS AWFUL!!!!!!
Debra White
November 10, 2012
I have tried other Coconut waters and they are NASTY. I have been drinking the water straight from the small Thai green coconuts that I purchase at farmers markets or Whole Foods…the only problem is that it can be time consuming to drill the hole, etc….I am soooo happy to have found this product! I love Coconut water as I really do feel more energetic after consuming it. And this product tastes like I just got it fresh from the real coconut…it’s the real thing…with no crazy chemical taste and is extremely fresh. LOVE IT! Great product.
Mirveena
November 15, 2012
doesn’t putting the coconut water in PLASTIC bottles defeat the whole purpose of healthy?
Harmless Harvest
November 28, 2012
Thanks for all your kind comments!
@Cynthia- It sounds like your bottle was mishandled. Our coconut water is perishable and can spoil if it is not kept properly refrigerated. Mind emailing us at info@harmlessharvest.com so we can make it up to you?
@Cheri & @Mirveena – Our coconut water is bottled in PET1 plastic which is BPA free and very easy to recycle. We didn’t choose plastic easily, and decided to use it because of our quality standards. In order to maintain the nutritional and organoleptic qualities of the coconut water, we use a high pressure system which keeps our coconut water raw and allows a longer refrigerated shelf life. Glass bottles would be crushed under all this pressure.
Ivonne
December 5, 2012
Hi
Love your product! I drink it at least twice a day!! My question is how far past best by can I feel safe drinking it? Bought a case and realized the date was two days away!!!! To expensive and good to toss. Will always check sell by before purchasing a case again!
Luciano Rama, Jr.
December 10, 2012
Hi, I am the municipal mayor of a small town in the Philippines, where coconut trees are in huge abundance. Coconut trees in fact are the main forest cover of our place to protect us from the sun’s heat. But due to limited opportunities, people are cutting coconuts trees here and use them as housing materials. Very unfortunate because it will take 15 years for a typical coconut to bear fruit if we had to replace those that were sold as lumber. I’m writing to inquire if there is a possibility of you introducing me to U.S. buyers of coconut water so that I could provide alternative opportunities to my people and keep them cutting the coconut for building materials.
Thank you.
Christina
January 15, 2013
Living in So Cal … you can buy this wonderful product at Mothers Market !! So not just at WholeFoods!
Rita LoSciuto
March 24, 2013
Dear All:
Of course I will take a picture of my self if you mail me a T-shirt of your product (Large or Medium) . I really dig your product.
Many thanks,
Rita LoSciuto
329 93rd Street
B4
Brooklyn, NY 11209
Sharon Davis
April 30, 2013
Are you selling online yet?
Elke Dean
June 21, 2013
Yes! Yes! Yes! finally a true taste
to what coconut water taste out the actually coconut – High 5!!!!
Luisa Velez
February 13, 2014
Addicted to HARMLESS HARVEST COCONUT WATER…
Nothing like it on the market, I’m from the tropics.. Therefore I know what coconut water should taste like.
I’m very pleased ,thank you
debb
February 15, 2014
Is it available in Canada
Shelia Moore
March 13, 2014
It is the best! Can I buy it on line?