Aqua Vitae

A couple Sundays ago I was headed to Benson’s (a local mini-mart) when I stumbled across a truck, a couple locals, and a payload of coconuts. The two men were taking machetes to said coconuts, draining the water from inside into plastic jugs, and selling them. I was so enthralled with the chopping rhythms that they (meaning either the men or the coconuts) seduced me into purchasing a bottle of their “coconut water.” After buying it I wasn’t exactly sure what to do with it, but on the way home I stopped at Vanessa’s to pick up a pint of rum. Vanessa’s is another local bar/mini-mart, which I don’t think has an actual name, but Vanessa is the woman who runs it. It’s the place where the old men gather to argue politics and pass the time, and this day was no exception. “OK! Deh coconut water, sir.” One said. “Very good. Mek you healthy.”

I initially thought the comment simply another example of that Bajan provincial wisdom which only hunts about half the time, so I just smiled and nodded. Turns out he was right. In any case, Vanessa suggested I mix the rum and coconut water together with some ice, which I did that evening. At first I tried the water on its own, and wasn’t convinced right away. But with some sugared spirits from the local distillery it was an instant delight. Since then I’ve become acculturated to both a nice rum & coconut each evening, and also to the taste of the water on its own. It has a je ne sais quoi character that makes it tough to explain in text: mostly water-like, with a bit of sugar and oil? In any case, it’s damn good.

So now I’m ever vigilant for the coconut people. It has a terribly short shelf life, so you can’t get it in grocery stores -- only from locals who cut and bottle on site. In a refrigerated bottle it will keep for a few days, but it’s truly best when consumed right out of the shell.

The above pic is from one I got at a Bridgetown vendor. The picture of his cart is below. I’ve also made a habit of going back to the initial guy with the truck near Benson’s. He’s only there on Sunday afternoons, so like a good NFL match in the fall, I arrange that day’s schedule around it. Last time I convinced him to let me photograph his technique in action, to share with all of you in cyberland. Enjoy.