KR01. Coconut Scrapers and Graters in Animal Shapes. After rice,
coconut is probably the most widely used ingredient in Thai cooking.
Contrary to common western belief, coconut milk is not the liquid found
inside the coconut, which makes a refreshing drink. Instead, it is the
liquid exuded from the shredded white meat of the coconut when
soaked in water. For shredding the coconut meat, Thais have
developed a unique kitchen implement -- the coconut scraper.
It is basically a low wooden stool with an iron grater firmly attached to
the front. To use it, a person squats on the wooden seat to stabilize it
and rotates an opened half of a coconut around the sharp end of the
grater to extract the meat. Over time, this utilitarian instrument evolved
into quirky animal shapes. Most common is the rabbit or cat.
Occasionally seen in elephant or hippo shapes. Call for stock.
