Health Benefits Of Coconut, Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk And Coconut Water
Coconut tree is called the "Tree Of Life" in Philippines. Coconut refers to the coconut fruit as well as the coconut tree. Coconut is believed to have originated in the Indo-Pacific region or the Southwest America. It grows in the tropical and sub tropical regions of the world. The coconut tree is large and grows to about 100 feet in height. As the tree grows upwards, the lower, older leaves, keep falling off. Some dwarf varieties of coconut are also cultivated.
The leaves are large and pinnate and form a sort of crown on the head of the coconut tree. The fruit is a drupe composed of 3 layers - the outer fibrous layer constitutes the exocarp and the mesocarp and the hard innermost layer, called endocarp or the shell. The endocarp encloses the meat or flesh of the coconut.
The meat or flesh is also called copra. At one end of the coconut is the seed containing a single embryo. This end of the shell has 3 eyes which can be seen once the fibrous layer has been removed. When the seed germinates the roots push out of one of these eyes. The coconut tree grows well in saline soils but in areas having good sunshine and rainfall like the tropical sea coastlines, which offer high humidity which is very necessary for the growth of the coconut tree. The coconut tree lives from about 80 to 200 years.
In India, coconut is cultivated in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu and many other states. Coconut flesh or meat is used in cooking, confectionery and desserts. Coconut milk, flour, chips etc are also produced from it. Coconut water is used to make coconut oil and coconut cream. Grated coconut mixed with jaggery is also eaten as a snack. Coconut meal, which is the residue left after coconut oil and coconut milk has been extracted, is used as an ingredient in livestock feed.
Every part of the coconut tree has some use. The leaves are used to make toys, baskets, brooms, thatching roofs, mats, skewers for cooking etc.See this for some amazing uses of coconut leaves. The trunk is used to make small bridges as it is straight. Drums, containers and small canoes are made by making the trunk hollow. The roots are used in making dyes, mouthwashes and medicine. It is also used as a toothbrush. The husk and shell are used as fuel as well as for making charcoal.
Half shells are used in many musical instruments. The hollow shells can be used as a feeder for birds or pet rodents. Coconut tree sap is got by tapping the flower buds by making cuts. The sap is full of nutrients like aminocids, vitamins BComplex and C, minerals especially potassium and FOS , a probiotic ensuring digestive health. A wide range of products like coconut vinegar, coconut nectar, coconut crystals andcoconut aminos seasoning sauce are made by either aging the sap for a long time or by evaporating the sap slowly at a low temperature.
Once a coconut tree is tapped, the sap flows continuosly for a period of about 20 years. The yearly yield of sap is about 5000 liters per hectare of coconut plantation. Bamboo containers are used to collect the sap by tying them to the thick stems that carry the flowers.
In India,Toddy or Neera is produced from the sap by incising the flower clusters. Toddy when allowed to ferment by just leaving it alone becomes palm wine. Arrack is distilled palm wine. In the Philippines, Arrack is called coconut vodka. 0 of 8192 characters usedPost CommentNo HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked.
Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites. My family and I always have virgin coconut oil and coconut water on hand. I drank coconut water throughout my second pregnancy and felt like it kept me going and active. Coconut is definitely one of my favorite superfoods. Thanks for the very informative article!
AuthorRajan Singh Jolly 5 years ago from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar,INDIA. Thanks Elisha and I hope you liked the article's information as well. Thanks for your visit. I love the quotes at the beginning of this article! They are so, so, so very wise and so very true! AuthorRajan Singh Jolly 5 years ago from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar,INDIA. Thanks for all the compliments and it is an honor to have this hub linked to yours.
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