coconut

The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is a member of the palm tree family (Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus Cocos. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which botanically is a drupe, not a nut. The name comes from the old Portuguese word coco, meaning "head" or "skull", after the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features. They are ubiquitous in coastal tropical regions and are a cultural icon of the tropics.
It is one of the most useful trees in the world and is often referred to as the "tree of life". It provides food, fuel, cosmetics, folk medicine and building materials, among many other uses. The inner flesh of the mature seed, as well as the coconut milk extracted from it, form a regular part of the diets of many people in the tropics and subtropics. Coconuts are distinct from other fruits because their endosperm contains a large quantity of clear liquid, called coconut water or coconut juice. Mature, ripe coconuts can be used as edible seeds, or processed for oil and plant milk from the flesh, charcoal from the hard shell, and coir from the fibrous husk. Dried coconut flesh is called copra, and the oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking – frying in particular – as well as in soaps and cosmetics. Sweet coconut sap can be made into drinks or fermented into palm wine or coconut vinegar. The hard shells, fibrous husks and long pinnate leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decoration.
The coconut has cultural and religious significance in certain societies, particularly in the Western Pacific Austronesian cultures where it features in the mythologies, songs, and oral traditions. It also had ceremonial importance in pre-colonial animistic religions. It has also acquired religious significance in South Asian cultures, where it is used in Hindu rituals. It forms the basis of wedding and worship rituals in Hinduism. It also plays a central role in the Coconut Religion of Vietnam. The falling nature of their mature fruit has led to preoccupation with death by coconut.Coconuts were first domesticated by the Austronesian peoples in Island Southeast Asia and were spread during the Neolithic via their seaborne migrations as far east as the Pacific Islands, and as far west as Madagascar and the Comoros. They played a critical role in the long sea voyages of Austronesians by providing a portable source of food and water, as well as providing building materials for Austronesian outrigger boats. Coconuts were also later spread in historic times along the coasts of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans by South Asian, Arab, and European sailors. Coconut populations today can still be divided into two based on these separate introductions - the Pacific coconuts and Indo-Atlantic coconuts, respectively. Coconuts were introduced by Europeans to the Americas only during the colonial era in the Columbian exchange, but there is evidence of a possible pre-Columbian introduction of Pacific coconuts to Panama by Austronesian sailors. The evolutionary origin of the coconut is under dispute, with theories stating that it may have evolved in Asia, South America, or on Pacific islands. Trees grow up to 30 m (100 ft) tall and can yield up to 75 fruits per year, though fewer than 30 is more typical. Plants are intolerant of cold weather and prefer copious precipitation, as well as full sunlight. Many insect pests and diseases affect the species and are a nuisance for commercial production. About 75% of the world's supply of coconuts is produced by Indonesia, the Philippines, and India combined.

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  1. martinoaro

    Recipe Sugar-Free Coconut Key Lime Pie

    Some may recall me relating for several days I was planning on making my key lime pie. I finally got around to it 😁 Living in Florida, key lime pie is our state treat. Especially as you travel to the Florida keys it’s even more prevalent and so many restaurants here all claim to have the best...
  2. karadekoolaid

    Recipe Potato & Carrots, South Indian style

    This recipe is adapted from the book "660 Curries", by Raghavan Iyer. Ingredients: 3 medium potatoes, cut into chunks 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tsp black mustard seeds 1 tbsp urid dal 2 medium carrots, cut into strips 1 1/2 tsps salt 1/2 tsp turmeric 2 tsps coriander seeds 1/2 tsp fenugreek...
  3. karadekoolaid

    Recipe Peanut Coconut Squash

    Ingredients: 500 gms butternut squash, de-seeded and cut into cubes 30 gms roasted peanuts 40 gms freshly grated coconut (the flavour will NOT be the same with decimated coconut) 1 tbsp white sesame seeds 2 dried cayenne or chile de arbol chiles, broken into pieces 1 - 2 tbsps oil 1 tsp black...
  4. GadgetGuy

    Plastic Coconut Mugs With Straws

    A while back, I was going to buy some ceramic coconut mugs that I saw on Amazon. Then I remembered the cute plastic coconut mug that I bought some time ago somewhere else. I still have it! So I saw a set of 6 of the same type on Amazon & bought them. They are made to look just like coconuts, are...
  5. msmofet

    Retro Recipe Ambrosia Salad

    Retro - Ambrosia Salad 1 (12 oz.) NON-DAIRY whipped topping (NOT DAIRY WHIPPED CREAM) 1 (8 oz.) pineapple - chunks or crushed - drained 1 (11 oz.) mandarin oranges - drained 1 (7 oz.) flaked coconut-sweetened 1 (5 oz. Or 1/2 a 10 oz. bag) mini marshmallows 1 (10 oz.) maraschino cherries WITHOUT...
  6. Windigo

    Recipe Simple butter chicken

    As requested, here's the recipe for the butter chicken I made yesterday. Warning: it's very rich. And delicious. Ingredients for 4 portions: 400 g chicken breast (or thigh if you prefer juicier meat) For the marinade: 4 tbsp greek yoghurt 2 tsp fresh ginger 2 garlic cloves 2 tsp garam masala 1...
  7. Bubble Tea Lady

    Recipe & Video Tom Kha Gai Soup (Creamy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)

    👩‍🍳Ingredients👨‍🍳 (serve 2) 4 pieces of Chicken Fillet 19 Oyster Mushrooms (Straw Mushrooms will be more authentic) 1 Onion 40g Galangal 1 stalk Lemongrass 3 Kaffir Lime Leaves 1 Thai Chili a few sprigs of Coriander 1 can of Coconut Milk 350ml Water 2 tsp Fish Sauce 4 tsp Lime Juice...
  8. Ramana

    Recipe Spring onion greens, coconut in melon seeds and cashew gravy

    Today I am going to share with you an unusual recipe of Spring onion greens, coconut in melon seeds and cashew that you might not have even heard of. Have you ever tasted vegetable prepared with this combination? No! Then you must give this amazing recipe a try at least once. Ingredients (Serve...
  9. A

    Curry Powder and ginger powder in coconut dahl

    I have some frozen crushed ginger (1 cube = 1 teaspoon) and some ground ginger and some medium curry powder. Can I use these in place of the ginger and curry leaves mentioned in this recipe? If so, how much would you recommend? One-pan coconut dhal recipe | BBC Good Food
  10. JAS_OH1

    How long will canned coconut milk keep after being opened?

    So about 2 weeks ago I opened up a can of coconut milk but didn't use the whole can. I poured the remainder of the coconut milk in a glass jar, sealed it tightly and put it in my refrigerator. Online sources state it will last about 7-10 days, but I am hoping it lasts longer. It still looks...
  11. murphyscreek

    Recipe & Video Pandan and Coconut Jelly

    Recipe Pandan Jelly 6-8 pandan leaves roughly chopped 600ml water 3/4 cup sugar 3 tsp agar agar powder Process leaves in 300mls water until water starts turning green. Strain mixture in to a saucepan, thoroughly squeezing as much moisture out of leaves as possible. Add remaining water...
  12. karadekoolaid

    Recipe Potato & Tomato with Coconut

    This has to be one of my favourite Indian dishes. Simple to make, extraordinarily tasty, and not hot! Ingredients (For 6-8) 600 gms potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces 2 tbsps Ghee or oil 1 tsp cumin seeds 6 cloves garlic, chopped 2 or three whole dried chiles 150 gms freshly grated...
  13. Oats, Coconut Spice Granola and Shredded Coconut with Apple Juice

    Oats, Coconut Spice Granola and Shredded Coconut with Apple Juice

    Oats, Coconut Spice Granola and Shredded Coconut with Apple Juice
  14. Packaged Coconut Spice Granola

    Packaged Coconut Spice Granola

    Packaged Coconut Spice Granola
  15. karadekoolaid

    Recipe Salted Caramel, Pecan and Chocolate Pie

    This pie is utterly decadent and extremely rich, so a little goes a long way. Ingredients: 16 Marie biscuits, Rich Tea biscuits or Digestive biscuits 60 gms grated coconut 75 gms unsalted butter, melted 185 gms chocolate chips 450 gms pecans, lightly toasted 200 gms sugar 2 tbsps golden syrup...
  16. Oats with Coconut Spice Ganola and Extra Coconut

    Oats with Coconut Spice Ganola and Extra Coconut

    Oats with Coconut Spice Ganola and Extra Coconut
  17. Morning Glory

    Recipe Buttermilk chicken korma

    Buttermilk gives a lovely light tang to this mild aromatic curry. If you want to make a spicier dish simply add some hot chilli powder, to taste. I used Kashmiri chilli powder which is very mild. The toasted spice mix makes twice as much as is required but will keep well in a screw top jar for...
  18. medtran49

    Recipe Coconut panko crusted fish with key lime butter sauce

    I'm going to go ahead and post the recipe but I'm not going to get to make it before the challenge ends unfortunately so no picture. My inspiration for this was a recipe posted on a local grocery store's ad but I'm making some big changes. Serves 2 2 (around 6 oz each) white fish fillets...
  19. Amaretto Banana Coconut Smoothie

    Amaretto Banana Coconut Smoothie

    Amaretto Banana Coconut Smoothie
  20. Iced Honey Coconut Chai Tea

    Iced Honey Coconut Chai Tea

    Iced Honey Coconut Chai Tea
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