Some
interesting facts on the Coconut Plant and fruit
The coconut is
considered among the top ten useful and valuable trees in the world and is
rated as one of “Nature’s Greatest Gifts to Man”.
The Coconut tree
has played an important role in many cultures.
It is more than a food crop. It
is also a social and an energy crop.
Once planted, this prolific tree is productive and can yield 1000s of
coconuts over a lifespan of about 70 – 100 years.
Every part of this
tree is useful to humans, including the
roots, trunks, leaves, husk, fiber, fruit, water, milk and meat.
It has several
names and has been called as the “Tree of Life”, “King of Trees”, The Jewel of
the Tropics”, the Fruit of the Gods”, “The Miracle Tree”, ”Tree of the Heavens”
and many more.
Coconut plants grow
in tropical countries along sandy
shorelines where the temperature has a mean average of 70 – 80 degrees
Fahrenheit. It is a large palm that
grows to over 30 meters in height.
Trunks may reach a diameter of 16 inches. Leaf life span may be 3 years. The age of a tree can be computed by the
total number of leaves and leaf-scars visible on the trunk, devided by 12.
The coconut leaves
are among the largest of any plant and can reach up to 20 foot. A normal adult palm produces 12 – 16 new
leaves annually.
The coconut is a
monococious plant producing male and female flowers on the same tree but in
different parts of the same flower cluster.
The fruits are the
coconuts and bear fruit all year round.
It takes about a year to ripen and can weigh up to 2.5 kilos.
The heart of the
coconut is the tender young apex at the top of the stem located just below the
crown of leaves. The heart can be as
long as a human leg and can weigh up to 12 kilos. It is a delicacy and sometimes eaten as a
vegetable.
The coconut tree
has a thick growth of a string-like root system and the normal length of the
root is about 5 – 7 meters and numbers between 2000 – 10000 depending on the
soil conditions.
The Tree of Life
This tree is
concidered a “Three-generation-tree”, supporting a farmer, his children and his
grandchildren. It is perhaps the most
useful plant on earth.
The Pith :
•
The pith of the
stem contains starch which may be extracted and used as flour.
•
The pith from the
top of the tree is sometimes pickled in coconut vinegar and called coco
pickles.
•
Vegetable roll
called “lumpia”.
•
Native dish called
“Guinataan”.
•
“Guinit” can
produce shoe straps, handbags, fans, picture frames and decorative accessories.
The
Heart :
•
Fresh juices from
the hearts are used against fever.
•
Coconut palm hearts
are nourishing and are regarded as good for the digestion - it is a delicacy.
•
It is sometimes
eaten as a vegetable and sometimes referred to as the “Millionaire’s salad”.
•
To regulate
menstruation, a paste is made from grinding the hearts together with molasses
and is to be eaten daily.
The
Trunk :
•
Benches, tables,
boxes.
•
You can make lumber
out of old mature trees, building timbers.
•
Dried coconut bark
can be used to ignite coals.
•
Used to make small
canoes, rafts, building sheds.
•
Bottom part of the
trunk can be used as a drum.
•
Ornamental wood
carving.
•
Paper pulp can be
extracted.
The Spathe and Guinit :
•
Used to make
handbags, hats, packaging materials and baskets.
The Leaves :
•
As fuel.
•
As fish bait.
•
Midrib brooms and
good quality paper pulp.
•
Provide thatching
materials for roofs and matting for floors, walls and for sun shades.
•
The fronds can be
woven to make nice hats, bows, toys, fans, baskets, trays, lamp shades,
placemats, bags, clothing, furnishings, screens and many more.
•
The “wrapper” of
the palm can be used for toilet paper.
A – Stem :
•
The center veins of the frond pinnae can be bunched
together to make a good whisk broom, or used as a toothpick.
•
Sections of the
stem after scooping out the pith are used as flumes or gutters for carrying
water.
B – Stiff Midribs /
leaflet midribs :
•
Used to make
skewers, arrows, brooms, brushes, fish traps.
C – Leaf fiber :
•
Used to make mats,
slippers, bags, short lined torches.
The Florescence :
From Sap :
•
Tuba, coconut
sugar, coconut nectar syrup, wine liquor, vinegar.
•
Fruit trays,
placemats.
•
Artificial flowers.
•
Hats, picture
frames.
•
Blinds, curtains.
The Sprouting seeds :
•
May be eaten like
celery.
•
Used as a treatment
for skin and nasal ulcers.
The Roots :
•
Used as a
toothpaste and mouthwash.
•
Boiling the roots
to create a dye.
•
Medicine for
dysentery.
•
Frayed out makes a
natural toothbrush.
•
Scorched, used as a
coffee substitute.
•
Used for a host of
ailments.
•
Source of tannin.
•
Beverage (root
beer).
The Flower :
•
Often used for
fashion shoes, caps, pressed helmet for soldiers.
•
Provide honey for
bees.
•
It produces a
steady dripping of sweet juice (sap) up to a gallon per day.
•
It contains 16 – 30
mg ascorbic acid / 100g.
By products of Sap :
•
Sugar.
•
Nectar syrup.
•
Vinegar.
•
Distilled liquor.
•
Wine, Champagne,
Gin.
•
Mixed grated
coconut make candy.
•
Beer (8% alcohol).
•
Boiled toddy when
mixed with lime makes good cement.
•
Yeast for making
breads.
•
Fresh beverage.
•
Tuba.
The Young Nut :
•
If a nut is allowed
to germinate, cavity fills with a spongy mass called “bread” which is eaten raw
or toasted in a shell over fire.
The Husk :
•
Coir and abaca pulp
are a good combination to make Book paper.
•
Coir is the fiber
from the husk – used in ropes, yarns, carpets, rugs, brushes, caulking boats,
stuffing fiber, mulch for plant growing.
•
Cooking fire,
mosquito coil and smudges.
•
The smoke of the
husk is a natural mosquito repellent.
•
The dried fibers of
the nut can be shredded as stuffing for pillows, mattresses, car seats.
•
For planters,
flower pots, plant holders.
•
Sound proofing,
aquarium filters.
•
The resin of the
inner husk is used for toothache relief.
•
For erosion
control, geotextile, electrical insulators.
•
Fiber is resistant
to sea water and is used for cable and rigging on ships.
•
Used for olive oil
filters.
The Water :
•
Can be drank like a
juice.
•
Can be cooked with
or mixed with rum for cocktails.
•
Vinegar.
•
Embryo culture.
•
Coconut water is
produced by a 5 month old nut and is pure and sterile. During WW2 it was used in emergencies in
place of sterile glucose solution and was injected directly into the patient’s
veins as a substitute to dextrose.
•
Coconut water as a
“softdrink”.
•
Food jellie.
•
Yeast.
•
Alcohol.
•
Wine by yeast
fermentation.
•
Also contains
growth substances, minerals and vitamins used for plants and anti-aging
skincare products.
•
Used in the
production of the chewy, fiber-rich “nata de coco”, a desert and serves as a
laxative.
•
Ethyl acetate.
The Meat :
•
Virgin Coconut oil
is extracted from the meat and is used as a dietary supplement and also for
skin and body care.
•
Deodorized oils and
called copra. This oil is rich in
glycerin that is used for cooking, margarine, detergent, candles, shaving
cream, toothpaste, lotions, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, synthetic rubber,
cosmetics and bath and laundry soap.
•
Animal feed. It is rich in protein and sugar.
•
Oil is used to
produce bio-diesel.
•
For salad, butter,
frying, as affordable food extenders, medicines, glycerine emulsifier,
anti-pollutant, resin, esters. Toothpaste, skin-care, sodium lauryl sulfate.
•
Produce flour and
desiccated coconut.
•
It is the source of
the coconut milk and coconut cream (used for cakes, pies, candies, curries,
sweets, coffee creamer, ice-cream).
•
Produces vegetarian
butter, cheese and yogurt.
•
It is also converted
into coconut chips, jams, biscuits, candies.
The Shell :
•
To buff floors.
•
Useful as
“microporous filters” in aquariums
•
Can be used to make
bowls, cups, storage containers, placemats, accessories for gifts, furniture,
handbags, earings, bracelets, necklaces, buttons.
•
Used to make small
drums, guitars, wind chimes.
•
Fuel for copra
kilns, charcoal.
•
Floor and wall
tiles.
•
Decorative lamps
and mirror frames.
•
Briquetted charcoal
and activated carbon to use as domestic filter for drinking water and to remove
poison.
•
Coconut shell flour
is used in the industry as filler in plastics.
•
Used in air
purification systems.
Coconut water :
•
Called the “fluid
of life” and is high in potassium, is fat-free, and is the best natural source
of cancer-fighting cytokinins. It works
well on a cellular level. It contains
the most cytokinins than any other food source which is the cell’s DNA that
protect the cells as they undergo cell division.
•
Coconut water is a
natural isotonic beverage and contains fiber, proteins, anti-oxidants, vitamins
and minerals. It is bacteriologically
sterile, pyrogen-free and does not destroy blood vessels. It will keep you young and virile and
relieves burning sensations and hot flushes and restores emotional stability in
menopousal in women.
•
It acts as a
general blood purifier.
Natural
Carbohydrate comparison per cup ;
Carbohydrate Diet
Fiber Sugar
Coconut water 8.9
g 2.6 g 6.3 g
Carrot
juice 22 g 2 g 9 g
Grapefruit
juice 22.7 g
Orange
juice 25.8 g 0.5 g 20.9 g
Apple
juice 29 g 0.2 g
Pineapple
juice 34.5 g 0.5 g 34 g
Calorie
comparison per cup :
Calories calories from fat
Coconut water 46 4
Carrot juice 94 3
Grapefruit juice 96 2
Orange juice 112 4
Pineapple juice 140 2
Sports drinks vs
Coconut water per mg / 100 ml :
Sports drink Coconut water
Potassium 11.7 294
Sodium 41 25
Chloride 39 118
Magnesium 7 10
Sugars 6 5
Coconut meat for a healthy diet is used in some recipes :
•
Coconut steak
(cooked with soy sauce, kalamansi, black pepper and onions)
•
Coconut pasta (Add
spring onion, oregano or basil and Italian seasoning, tomato sauce)
•
Coconut nuggets
(fry in coconut oil and serve with ketchup or sweet and sour sauce)
•
Coconut chips (Bake
in the oven until crisp and slightly brown.
Sprinkle with garlic / onion salt)
Coconut creams and milk is used to make the following :
•
Ice-cream.
•
Coconut jams to use
on pancakes, syrup, sponge cake filling, ice-cream topping, marinade for meat.
•
Lime coconut desert
squeeze to be used for simple toppings, garnishes, cupcakes, cheesecakes,
yogurt topping.
•
Coconut butter.
•
Coconut cheese
(looks yummee!).
•
Coconut yogurt.
Coconut flour :
•
It has a high fiber
content.
•
It is fermentable
and produces high amounts of butyric acid which helps in inhibiting tumor
formation.
•
Effective in
moderating blood sugar and insulin levels.
•
It does not contain
phytic acid (this pulls out calcium, zinc, and iron from your body).
•
Does not contain
gluten.
•
It has a naturally cream
colour. No need to bleach.
•
Has the capability
of expelling intestinal worms.
•
It provides the
limiting amino acid in baked products.
•
Enhances the
flavour of most products like chocolate and vanilla.
Fiber content of various flours
Coconut flour 61%
Wheat Bran flour 27%
Oat bran flour 16%
Rye flour 15%
Wheat flour 13%
Cornmeal flour 11%
Rice flour 0.8%
Comparison chart for saturated / unsaturated fatty acid :
Saturated Unsaturated
Canola 6% 94%
Olive 14% 86%
Sunflower 11% 89%
Corn 13% 87%
Soy 15% 85%
Peanut 18% 82%
Palm 51% 49%
Dairy 52% 48%
Coconut 92% 8%
•
Chutney.
•
Candy.
•
Shrimp paste.
•
Coconut liquors and
coconut vodka.
•
Coconut Champagne –
Kahal.
•
Coconut wine - Don
Alfonso wines – cherry (red), gold and rose.
•
Coconut vinegar.
•
Pickles.
•
Tea.
•
Makapuno – use as
pastry and flavouring in the ice-cream industry.
•
Nata de Coco –
substitute for pork fat, thicken soup, addition to salads.
Also
used in :
•
Skincare products.
•
Soaps.
•
Shampoo and conditioner.
•
Body and facial
wash.
•
Handgel and insect
repellent.
•
Petroleum jelly.
•
Body scrub.
•
Soap granules.
•
Laundry soap.
•
Oils for wood
surfaces.
Other
fashion accessories :
•
Handbags.
•
Necklaces.
•
Earings.
•
Bracelets.
•
Headpieces.
•
Belts.
•
Hats.
•
Shoes.
•
Garments.
•
Vases.
•
Lamps.
•
Candle holders.
•
Baskets and utility
boxes.
•
Throws and pillows.
•
Wall decor.
•
Draperies and
curtains.
•
Picture frames.
•
Desktop and
stationary accessories.
•
Doormats, carpets
and rugs.
•
Decorations.
•
Placemats,
coasters, napkin rings.
•
Cups, plates and
ladles.
•
Furniture.
•
Packaging material.
•
Tiles and wood
parquet flooring.
•
Fiber-cement board.
•
Wall panels and
roofs.
•
Planter pots.
•
Enhancer for plant
growth.
•
Biodiesel.
•
Oleaochemicals.
•
Peat.
•
Mosquito coils.
•
Chicken feed.
•
Charcoal.
•
Bricks.
•
Used at Spa’s and
resorts as a beauty treatment
ALL OF THIS INFORMATION WAS FROM THE BOOK “COCONUT PHILIPPINES”
AUTHOR : LALAINE VILLAFUERTE-ABONAL
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