IMPORTANT: Please read --

I had a significant problem from the coconut water. I only recently bought a few (two each from different stores) to try what is reportedly so great. I should state that, for the most part, I am pretty healthy; my only health issue is that I have rather extreme chemical sensitivities. Upon drinking the water from the first coconut, I immediately noticed an undertaste that was similar to the taste of Anbesol (a numbing agent for tooth discomfort). It was faint, but definitely discernable. I'm new to these coconuts, so while I hoped that the strange taste was something to which folks adjust, I was still a little spooked by it. After drinking only about 1/3 of the water from the first coconut, I had an immediate reaction and vomited. It was like a knee-jerk reaction. Not a lot of nausea...just an immediate reaction. This was followed by ongoing stomach upset for about a day. When I opened the next coconut (intending to freeze the contents), a small amount of the liquid splashed onto the back of my hand. Within three minutes a huge welt formed and the itching was intense...like poison ivy itching. So, I began to do the research, and sure enough, I discovered that these young coconuts are literally soaked in a few chemicals, the purpose of which is to kill mold, extend shelf life, and to bleach the outside. It is a routine thing, and many people mistakenly believe that the chemicals do not penetrate the coconut shell. The truth, however is that a recent investigative test revealed that a sampling of coconut water contained some eleven pesticides. You can read the abstract at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TG8-4...

I must emphasize that this is not an allergy situation. It is a chemical sensitivity reaction. What that means to you is that when I get poisoned my body immediately rejects it. You will be poisoned and possibly never feel the effects until more serious damage is done.

There is only one way to impress the folks who market these coconuts...until the product can be delivered via stringent organic standards, we should not be giving them our money. Most of us are willing to pay extra for purity. Until it's a safe product we shouldn't even want it. Let's send the message that we will pay for organic, untained coconut water, and nothing less. It works every time.

To be sure, until I am guaranteed that the fruit has never been chemically treated, I will not go near coconut water. FYI, I have had no problems eating other produce that probably contains pesticide residue, but these coconuts contain enough chemical to elicit a relatively serious reaction. As far as I'm concerned, I've been hit on the head with the proverbial brick. After all, I'm only into "raw" because it's healthy. These coconuts are not.