Coconut

The Cocnut Palm is a member of the palm family. The term coconut refers to the fruit of the coconut palm. Young coconut is green, when the nut has ripened and the outer husk will turned brown. The husk is dry and soft, so that the nut is less likely to cause damage when it drops.

Coconut meat contains less sugar and more protein than popular fruits such as bananas, apples and oranges, and it is relatively high in minerals such as iron, phosphorus and zinc. Medicinal properties show that the monolaurins in the coconut oil have been found to be very powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents. Some people believe that coconut milk can be used as a laxative.

The cavity is filled with coconut water which contains sugar, fibre, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Coconut water provides an isotonicelectrolyte balance, and is a highly nutritious food source. It is used as a refreshing drink throughout the humid tropics and is also used in isotonic sports drinks.

Coconut water from the unripe coconut, however, can be drunk fresh. Young coconuts used for coconut water are called tender coconuts. The water of a tender coconut is liquid endosperm. It is sweet (mild) with aerated feel when cut fresh. The meat in a young coconut is softer and more like gelatin.

The coconut has many culinary and non-culinary uses; virtually every part of the coconut palm has some human uses.