Kelapa / Coconut - Part 1

Coconut - the 1,000 uses tree and fruits

In my area, most villagers must have coconut trees planted beside or around their houses.  Coconut fruits from coconut palm tree, Cocos nucifera, are the main menu in our local cookings. Coconut palm is a member of the family Arecaceae (palm family). It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos.^[2] The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling coconut is an old-fashioned form of the word.^[3]

coconut fruit

Found across much of the tropics, the coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many domestic, commercial, and industrial uses of its different parts. Most of the use from the tree came from its fruits. Coconuts are part of the daily diet of many people. Its endosperm is known as the edible "meat" of the coconut; when dried it is called copra. The oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking and frying; coconut oil is also widely used in soaps and cosmetics. In Malaysia, the crushed coconut flesh and the milk are used to make local traditional cuisines and desserts.

 

 

The clear liquid coconut water within is a refreshing drink and can be processed to create alcohol. In my place the soft and delicious flesh from young coconut fruits are a very popular drinks during the dry season.

The husks and leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decorating. It also has cultural and religious significance in many societies that use it.

the coconut rope

the coconut husk

Coconut trees are grown in many types and sizes. Some are tall and reaching 100 feet and some are very much lower. The taller one usually produces bigger size of fruits. The lower one can produce fruits in just 5 feet high, but the fruits are very much smaller.

I cannot deny the significant of the coconut products in my life. Being an Asian, my daily diet is very much based on the coconut products.