Coconut Cutters

Coconut cutters, shredders and graters are commonly used throughout Asia as all parts of the nut are used in Asian cuisines. These carved and hand-crafted wood and metal cutting gadgets are an example of the fine artistic skills of Asian wood carvers to transform utilitarian objects into striking decorative pieces. Called boti (also Aruvamanai, Chulesi, or Pirdai) in India and khood maprow in Thailand, they are designed to grate, shave, husk and shred coconuts, as well as large fruits and vegetables. Imaginative pieces were fashioned from one piece of wood in many shapes including crouching animals and long flat boards. These devices were often found in street markets where customers could also purchase the coconut, its milk, grated pieces, or cut fruits. Once a traditional kitchen tool, in modern times they have become a scarce and prized relic of former times.