coffee painting - Kukur Kelapa/ Coconut Grater

KUKUR KELAPA – The "Kukur kelapa" or coconut grater used to be an essential tool in a Malaysian household, once used to grate or scrape the flesh of the coconut from its shell. The seat of a traditional coconut grater is carved out of a piece of wood with a sharp-edged metal spur attached to the 'head' which functions as the scraper. The seats of the traditional 'kukur' were usually beautifully designed; with carvings inspired by animals and nature with intricate motifs.

 However, a beautifully carved traditional 'kukur kelapa' is now a rare and a much sought after item to be found in museums and has become an important part of a family heirloom rather than to be used daily. A more convenient electric gadget is now used to extract coconut milk, an essential ingredient in Malaysian cooking.