Where is the best place in Sacramento to buy young coconuts and exotic tropical fruits such as durian?   (We used to recommend Shun Fat 'SF Market'">

Where is the best place in Sacramento to buy young coconuts and exotic tropical fruits such as durian?   (We used to recommend Shun Fat 'SF Market', but they have an inferior product too much of the time.   See highlights below).   From left to right:  1.  Young Thai Coconut with husk shaved to facilitate shipping.  Shrunk-wrapped. 2.  Using a stout kitchen knife cut away the top of the husk, exposing the hard shell of the nut. 3.  Tap with a the butt of your knife around the perimeter to open the 'top.'  When 50% of the radius (a semi-circle) is open use the knife to pry the top off.  Do not act like 'George of the Jungle and hack like a mad-man.  This is a good way to lose a finger or damage your counter.  In this photo the top hangs by a fiber of the husk 4  When you're done, don't forget to eat the coconut meat, or save it for any number of  recipes. Tree Of Life's Depiction of how to open a coconut. Sacramento's Little Saigon:  New:  Friends, I NO LONGER recommend SF Market for Coconuts.  I am again getting MANY spoiled coconuts from them.  In my last 2 cases (18 total) I only had 4 good coconuts.  That is ridiculous!  I have brought this to the attention of the store's management, and they do not care and will not reimburse.  I am now buying my coconuts from either Vinh Phat which is about 2-3 miles north of SF Market on Stockton Blvd. at Fruitridge, or another newer Asian market at the SW corner of 47th St. and Stockton Blvd called 'Khan-Hing.'  Vinh Phat has Durian in plastic boxes for $1 cheaper than SF Market.  Please join me in boycotting Shun Fat (SF) market.  Trust me:  they neither  want nor deserve our patronage. The precise location for the best 2 Asian Markets is shown above.   (Use the upper (northermost) 2 locations). Durian are also available. If you prefer your durian in the plastic boxes, go to Vinh Phat about 1.5 miles north on Stockton Blvd on the East side of Stockton.   As of this writing (August 2003) coconuts generally cost about $7 for a case of 9.  Durian varies between 69 and 89 cents per pound.  I note that some Raley’s stores are now carrying young coconuts in their produce sections for about $1.80 each.  They have been good quality.  What are you looking for?                                                           Look for a stack of cases like these                                                 If you open the case, you'll see 9 coconuts How to pick them out You may want to buy individual coconuts.  In general you will pay a little less if you buy them by the case.  But, you can see & select each coconut if you buy individually.  But, they are easier to carry home and store in the fridge if you have them in the case.  (Yes, they need to be refrigerated)!   Shake them.  If you hear the water sloshing, do not buy it.  If it feels very light for it's size, that means that it is an older coconut and it will have little milk....it will be mostly meat (and a very dense, tough meat) -- don't buy it.  If it has fungal discoloration spots (usually on the bottom) avoid it.  If it appears to have been punctured, avoid it.  If it is no longer cold, avoid it. Are Coconuts and Coconut Oil healthy? Purchasing Durian:  Durian are only affordable in their frozen form:  about 69 to 99 cents a pound.  Fresh they are normally around $4 per pound.  Whole Frozen Durian need about 18 hours to thaw out.   They can also be purchased in small convenience packages in a small plastic container.  SF Market charges about $3.50 per package, while Vinh Phat Market (head North about 2 miles from SF Market on Stockton Blvd) carries them for only $2.50.   These are also frozen and will thaw out in a matter of a couple hours if you remove the durian from the box and set it out. Here is a photo of the plastic durian container: