Have you ever wondered, Is cocoNUT a nut? Well the point is, depending on its use it can be considered either as a nut, a fruit or a seed. However no matter how you term it, but what matters is the taste we all love .
The scientific name of coconut is Cocos Nucifera.Coconuts are known to be originated in India and Southeast Asia but they grow in warm climates globally in carribean and in some parts of Africa and South America. India is among the top coconut-producing nations in the world, with states like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh being the leading contributors.
This versatile fruit is one of the few fruits with several useful parts. Interestingly when we see a freshly fallen coconut, it’s outer layer is hard and green which is called the exocarp. After the removal of the outer layer comes the next brown and hairy layer which is the husk and its called the mesocarp. And then comes the innermost layer surrounds a seed which is the endocarp. As we break open the seed we get the white layer of coconut “flesh” and water. The white flesh lining inside of a coconut is also called the “kernel.” The Coconut flesh also termed as the coconut meat is used to create coconut oil, coconut cream, coconut milk, and dried coconut. But undoubtedly to a larger extent people love to consume it fresh and raw.
Coconuts are available in a variety of forms with each having their unique nutritional value. However it might vary considering the different brands available.
Well interestingly every year World Coconut Day is celebrated on September 2 .The sole purpose of celebrating Coconut Day is to raise awareness and recognize their importance and benefits of coconuts and to draw national and international attention to coconut as a nutritious fruit, a significant raw material and crop. World Coconut Day was initiated by the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community, headquartered in Jakarta, Jakarta.
However apparently the name of coconut has an interesting origin. As depicted and characterized in cartoons and children’s illustrations, one can see the surface of a coconut resembling a human face because of the three spots. According to the ancient Iberian folklore ,after the Portuguese and Spanish explorers noticed these three spots on the coconut , it reminded them of an imaginary entity of bogeyman or something equivalent to the bogeyman .The mythical ghost-monster similar to the bogeyman character from stories of their native lands was called ‘Coco,’ and so, the word ‘coconut’ was born.
Every year India also observes World Coconut Day to highlight the benefits of Coconuts and the people behind the production. With India being the top coconut-producing nations in the world, the consumption in Karnataka tends to be high. So this special day is seen to be highly observed in Karnataka among the coconut producing states. World Coconut Day is marked as an occasion dedicated for the farmers, experts, and business people to highlight the importance as well as raise awareness about coconut production to help this industry grow. Every year has a theme and likewise this year the theme of 2022 World Coconut Day is “Growing Coconut for a Better Future and Life”.
In Sanskrit the coconut palm is called “kalpa vriksha”, which means “the tree which provides all the necessities of life.” Man can use every part of the coconut. The white nut-meat can be eaten raw or shredded and dried and used in most cooking recipes. The coconut tree provides food, water, fuel, cosmetics, and raw materials such as fiber and wood among many other uses.
Coconut is generally regarded as a source of healthy fat. The white meat inside the coconut contains protein,fiber and some essential minerals such as:
• Iron
• Manganese
• Copper
• Magnesium
Although coconut meat is rich in nutritional value , the food contains moderate amounts of saturated fats, so it’s best to consume it in moderation. So this World Coconut Day, let’s appreciate this versatile fruit and include them into our diet, and make the best use of it to enhance our skin and health.
