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. The Late Night Gourmet

    Recipe Thai Coconut Miso Soup

    I've made Thai coconut soups before, but always with shrimp and fish sauce. This is one removes those, and instead leans on the miso paste to provide the savoriness. The result is a very good coconut soup that is also completely vegan. Ingredients 1 tablespoon sesame oil 2 tablespoons ginger...
  2. medtran49

    Recipe Coconut, lime, cilantro dipping sauce

    We used this for the shrimp spring rolls we made last night. Craig and I both absolutely loved it. We are going to try it with some coconut shrimp or coconut chicken fingers next. 2 ounces canola oil 1/2-ounce garlic, chopped 1-ounce shallot or sweet onion, chopped 1-ounce lemon grass...
  3. medtran49

    Recipe Chicken massaman curry

    We have made this several times, though not recently, and really like it. I'll have to look back for a picture. It freezes very well. Also, it can be made vegan by substituting tofu for the chicken and gluten-free tamari for the fish sauce, vegetable broth for chicken stock. Ingredients 3...
  4. medtran49

    Recipe Encapsulated Pina Colada with coconut snow

    This was my first experiment in molecular gastronomy. It's not perfect, but it was fun, wasn't difficult, just time consuming. Materials needed Spherical or half-sphere somewhere between 3-4 inch across silicone molds Metal or freezer safe glass 8x8 or 9x9 dish Immersion blender measuring...
  5. medtran49

    Recipe 4 milk cake

    ETA: Finally got the picture up obviously. I like this version better than the tres leches. You can't really even tell there is coconut milk in there with just the 1/4 cup, but between that and the brown sugar and the amaretto, it's just a richer tasting cake to me. Picture to come later...
  6. medtran49

    Recipe Italian wedding cake

    This cake has been around forever in the southern part of the U.S. It is also called Italian cream cake. I sincerely doubt it is actually Italian and I have no idea how it got its name, but it's great. I remember having this cake as a very small child. Once again, no picture because I haven't...
  7. medtran49

    Recipe Fresh coconut cake

    Again, no picture, as it's been several years since I've made this cake. I got the recipe from my Aunt Pat, who had made it for a family gathering one year. I've made it several times and it really is worth getting fresh coconut. If you don't have access to fresh coconut, you can sometimes...
  8. medtran49

    Recipe Ring of coconut fudge cake

    I don't have a picture of this as it's been several years since I've made one but this was a favorite of my mother's when I was a child, so I've helped make, as well as made many on my own. This was a 1st place winner in a Pillsbury baking contest many, many, many years ago, probably in early...
  9. Elawin

    Recipe Whole Eggs in Coconut Masala (Egg molee)

    Serves: 2 Cooking time: 15 minutes, plus 8 minutes to hard-boil eggs Ingredients: 2 tbsp vegetable oil 3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and left whole ½ tsp turmeric ½ tsp chilli powder 200 ml coconut milk 1 medium red onion, finely sliced 10 g/2 cm ginger, finely shredded 1-2 fresh green...
  10. Kake Lover

    Recipe Coconut Cake

    Coconut Cake (or as titled by my collegue) Auntie Evelyn's coconut loaf We were discussing easy to make cakes that don't necessarily need any icing and a collegue mentioned this old family recipe. I have made it a few times and is very popular with my daughter-in-law who likes all things...
  11. SatNavSaysStraightOn

    Recipe Coconut Chutney

    Intrigued? I was. Enough to go and defrost the coconut flesh in my freezer. It is simple enough to make Ingredients For Tempering 1 tsp cumin seeds 1/2 tsp black mustard seeds +6 curry leaves 1 tsp dried chilli flakes or 1 dried red chilli 1tsp safflower oil or similar neutral tasting oil...
  12. SatNavSaysStraightOn

    Recipe Coconut Milk

    Homemade coconut milk where you can control the ingredients... And you can freeze it. You'll need a coconut and some water. Ingredients Grated coconut Spring Water Method Depending on how much of the whole coconut you grated, you'll need 250ml per 1/8th of the coconut. Soak the grated...
  13. SatNavSaysStraightOn

    The easy way to open a coconut

    So as I promised, here is the easy way to open a coconut. It may look long, but this is one of those processes that takes longer to describe that actually do. You need a bowl, a kitchen knife and the coconut. Place the coconut in your hand so that the ends are at your wrist and fingers and the...
  14. SatNavSaysStraightOn

    Recipe Tomato and Coconut Soup

    Given my allergy to dairy proteins (not an intolerance to lactose), I have to be rather creative with my alternatives sometimes and this is one of them. I was fancying cream of tomato soup. Normally I would use creamed cashew nuts to make such a soup but there's an ingredient challenge on at...
  15. Herbie

    Recipe Vegan caramel sauce

    A very easy recipe. 1 packet dates (200g) 1 tin full fat coconut milk 1/4 tsp salt Chill coconut milk in fridge for 1 hour Pit dates and cover in boiling water. Leave to soak for 1 hour. Drain dates and drain coconut milk (you want just the thick bit). Blitz. Add a little salt. Nice warm too...
  16. ElizabethB

    Recipe Coconut Shrimp with Coconut Risotto and Coconut Salad

    My first entry in a Recipe Challenge Coconut Shrimp with Coconut Risotto and Coconut Salad Coconut Shrimp Ingredients 1 lb. large shrimp - 15 to 20 count. 1 cup plain bread crumbs 1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut 2 eggs Sea salt & fresh ground pepper to taste Coconut Oil Method...
  17. The Late Night Gourmet

    Recipe Coconut Beet Samosa

    This falls just short of a vegan dish because of the butter in the crust. The butter gives the crust it's beautiful, biscuit-like character, but this is still a tasty recipe without it. The focus here was supposed to be coconut - and there's no denying that it's prominent - but really, the...
  18. The Late Night Gourmet

    Recipe Coconut Macaroons

    Using fat free condensed milk reduces the calories while still highlighting the coconut. Ingredients 14 ounces sweetened flaked coconut 14 ounces fat-free condensed milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 extra large egg whites, at room temperature 1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt Directions Preheat...
  19. Morning Glory

    The CookingBites Recipe Challenge: Coconut

    Congratulations go to @Elawin who won the ingredient challenge "Mint" with a recipe for Spicy Potato and Lentil Patties and has chosen Coconut as the next challenge ingredient. The deadline for entries is Saturday 4th November at midnight (GMT). A Reminder of the "Rules" (revised May 2017)...
  20. The Late Night Gourmet

    Recipe Thai Coconut Soup

    I used to call this a light Thai coconut soup because I make it with light coconut milk. I really can't tell the difference. But, putting light first in the name detracts from that fact, so I'm leaving it out. One of the foundations of this recipe is the creation of the stock. If you're pressed...
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