Coconut

A Crash Course on Coconuts: See How the World Uses this Fruit

 

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You have probably heard me praise the benefits of coconut oil and coconut water. Studies about their health benefits are piling up as we speak. Coconuts carry have a variety of functions beyond just these two products.
However, these functions and benefits seem to be largely overlooked in the United States. Americans have very limited knowledge about this fruit because it is not a traditional part of their diet. And very few stores sell coconut products.
The term "coconut" can be used to refer to both the coconut palm and fruit. Every part of the coconut can be used for myriads of functions, so it has gained significant recognition and has become a steady source of living in many cultures.

Coconut Uses - How the Coconut Proved Its Worth

The physical properties and nutrients of coconuts can vary depending on their maturity. Young coconuts have either a white husk or a green shell, and possess larger amounts of coconut water and softer meat. On the other hand, mature coconuts, the brown and hairy variety, have less water and firmer meat.
Whether they're young or mature, coconuts are considered the "plant of life" due to their astounding commercial and domestic uses:

1. Parts of the coconut palm, as well as the exterior layers of its fruit, are turned into several products, from simple kitchen tools and utensils to strong structures – for both humans and animals. Some of these coconut parts include:
   
   • Coconut husks
   • Coconut shells
   • Coconut leaves
   • Coconut trunk
   • Coconut roots
2. The meat and water within its fruit are rich resources of nutrients. Native cultures in Asia, Pacific Islands, South America, and limited parts of North America use coconut fruit as a staple in their diets. Some popular coconut products are:
   
   • Coconut meat
   • Coconut oil
   • Coconut milk
   • Coconut water
   • Coconut wine
   • Coconut vinegar

Go Nuts about Coconuts - Learn More about This Amazing Plant

Probably no fruit or plant has garnered the level of recognition the coconut has. The list of benefits you can obtain from coconuts goes on and on.
I urge you to read Plant of Life: An Infographic on Various Coconut Uses to discover some interesting trivia about its uses around the world. Share this infographic with your friends and family to help spread knowledge about this astounding plant.