If we are thinking of Koh Samui, what would come into your mind?
We believe that most people think about Sun Sand Sea! But, don’t forget the thing that makes this charming island a unique is “Coconut Tree” till well known of “Coconut Island” or “Palm Island”.
Koh Samui is one of Thailand’s top coconut-cultivation plantations. They had been a majority occupation of Samui residents before having tourism industry, and as the same time of being the island symbol. Quality of coconuts grown on Samui are different from elsewhere whether refreshing, fruitful, and mellow that they are able to produce various high-quality products such as utensils and cold-pressed virgin coconut oil which is used by cosmetics manufacturers in Europe and Japan. And yes, when it comes to virgin coconut oil, it becomes a famous top-quality product for consumers all over the world.
“Coconut Museum” is established by native Samui’s family to give visitors know more about story of coconuts; how its planting, growing, harvesting, and producing. Place is also a small factory to produce virgin coconut oil and a base learning of Thai dessert that made from coconut, you can join the class and get real delicious taste. If you are a Coconut Lover, should not miss to visit this museum.
What can we do on our visiting the museum?
Coconut Museum is closed on Sunday and there is no entrance fee. Inside the museum is a spacious room with information signs where visitors can walk around. It is separated to different zones of coconut cultivation, transportation of coconuts to the mainland, and some of traditional utensils made from coconut.
This is traditional foot massager made from coconut shells, step on them and if any part of your feet get hurt it can be indicated the disease on your body.
Coconut utensils, a local wisdom to take all parts of coconuts whether shells, leaves, stems, even roots create to be useful equipment. One of the amazing creations is “Coconut Grater”, a handmade traditional kitchen equipment, carved in different shapes depending on sculptors imagine. You know, coconut milk from coconut grater makes your food more tasty than instant coconut milk.
Coconut utensils, a local wisdom to take all parts of coconuts whether shells, leaves, stems, even roots create to be useful equipment. One of the amazing creations is “Coconut Grater”, a handmade traditional kitchen equipment, carved in different shapes depending on sculptors imagine. You know, coconut milk from coconut grater makes your food more tasty than instant coconut milk.
Why does coconut oil from Koh Samui become popular?
With many chemist researches published to support the health benefits from coconut oil whether using for hair care, skin care to against the dangerous effects of UV rays and healing from sun burns, taking coconut oil in the morning can help to improve your digestion and it’s the great energy booster, and cooking by using coconut oil because there are nutritional properties over other vegetable oils.
When the virgin coconut oil becomes popular, people turn to use it more and more, then you can’t think of other places beside Samui where its coconut story is the legend and the quality of products are guaranteed. Here at Coconut Museum has their own product of coconut oil under the name of “Spaco” that approved as an organic product.
Part of learning, the museum is opened for Thai Dessert Cooking Class that made from coconuts in every menu. Get your unique experience on making the traditional Thai desserts by charcoal stove would make the taste of your dessert more delicious. If you would like to join this fun activity, you can make a reservation in advance with them directly.
We start with “Khanom Khi Man” which is consisted of coconut cream with brown topping. First, we would make a part of coconut cream by adding coconut sugar, sticky rice flour, wheat flour, and coconut milk. Mix and stir them up in the wok over a coconut shell charcoal fire till it turns to be creamy.
Next step, making brown topping called “Khi Man” by pouring thick coconut milk into a wok, stew its until oil separated out and turned to be brown powder. This brown coconut pulps called “Khi Man”, similar taste with cocoa powder. This fantastic dessert originated from local wisdom; the rest of extract coconut oil can also use for cooking.
Here is Khanom Khi Man, put it in a small banana leaf bowl and decorated with colorful flower is ready to serve.
Second menu is “Khanom Ko” or sugar dumplings with coconut, it is a famous traditional Thai dessert in the southern part of Thailand, in Koh Samui we use coconut palm sugar instead of normal palm sugar. It’s made from Glutinous rice flour mixed with hot color water from natural dye like today the green color from pandan leaf. Knead them together, mold into a small round ball and put coconut palm sugar in the middle. Then, bring to boil and mixed with shredded coconut in a bit salt. Balls can be big or small, doesn’t matter because they are real homemade cooking!
Put them into coconut shell bowl, and yes, it’s ready to serve. Salty taste from shredded coconut and sweet taste from coconut palm sugar that’s so delicious. Get the recipe and make it at home, this activity doesn’t take too long, only about 30-40 minutes.
All activities concerning about coconut story are offered at Koh Samui Coconut Musuem, if you are the one who love touching the local lifestyle and get an unseen experience on your traveling, this place always makes a warm welcome to the visitors.
How to get to the Coconut Musuem?
Coconut Museum is located in Angthong subdistrict, not far from Nathon Pier. From the side of Nathon town, drive along the main road and turn left to Angthong Soi 2, keep going straight about 1 kilometer, then you will see Coconut Museum on the right-hand side.
📍 Location: https://goo.gl/maps/tC2hBEmHGvHMwq2K9
📞 Tel. +66 (0) 77 421 211, +66 (0) 89 744 8335