The History of Coconuts

The modern coconut as we know it was known to have existed 37 to 57 million years ago during the Eocene Period in India and Australia. The origin of the coconut plant is the subject of debate since some scientific research suggests the Pacific Ocean or Indian Ocean. While others see the origin in north western South America since the ‘Nipa’ fruit which is one example of an older palm fossil that has been found.

Coconut palms are the most familiar palm from the tropic which used to be a wild plant and has been spread by human activity and currents in the ocean. In the present day it has become a part of everyday life in many places for its resources like food, shelter and fuel.

Coconuts were even used as currency for the purchase of goods right up till the beginning of the 20th century, on the Nicobar Island (Indian Ocean). Coconut palms were mentioned in written scripts 2,000 years ago in India.

Coconut, the most sustainable crop in the world!

Coconuts are one of the most sustainable crops in the world; every part of the coconut can be used in one way or another:

Coconut water (The clear liquid found inside green coconuts) this is enjoyed on beaches as a refreshing drink. Also known as a natural sports drink, many athletes are drinking after exercise for its rehydration properties. Coconut water is also used in cooking, deserts, smoothies and mixed with or without alcohol for a refreshing cocktail. Coconut water when fermented is used to make coconut vinegar and alcohol.

Coconut husk is used to make coir a kind of eco friendly rope used extensively in the tropics.

The outer shell of the coconut is used as a source of fuel or charcoal. Coconut shells are also polished and sold as souvenirs or accessories like purses, jewellery, candle holders, etc.

Coconut meat (The white flesh that is found inside mature brown coconuts) is edible raw or used in cooking for vegetarian and non vegetarian curries. Young coconut meat known as coconut jelly is eaten raw or mixed with coconut water to make smoothies.

Coconut milk The white cloudy liquid extracted from the coconut meat from a mature coconut) is often used in cooking, most commonly in curries. If you leave coconut milk to settle the liquid would set to the bottom and you would find a thick creamy layer on top, this is known as coconut cream. This is used in cocktails e.g. Pina Colada.

Coconut oil (The pale yellow to almost clear liquid extracted from the coconut meat or coconut milk) is most commonly used for cooking at high temperatures in frying. It is also used in other types of cooking and mostly in skin and hair products. For its moisturizing qualities for example in shampoo, conditioner, creams etc.

Coconuts are used in tradition and religion as well as every day uses, for example:

In the San Pablo on the second week of January the Coconut Festival is held for a week. This is in honour of their patron saint Paul the Hermit, the festival consists of street dancing, concerts etc.

In the Hindu tradition the coconut is offered during worship to gods or goddess once is has been decorated. During Hindu weddings a coconut is also placed on a pot representing a womb and coconut flowers are present during the marriage ceremony.

During the Thai festival called Songkran (Held on over New Years Day in April which goes on for 3 days). Coconut milk and Tart Lemon grass is used to make Thai Coconut Lemongrass ritual to honour Thailand’s joyful festival of renewal.

Coconuts are also used as a prize and target in a British traditional fairground game known as “coconut shy” this is where you knock the coconut off of the stand to win the coconut its self.

How do you make coconut oil?

Coconut oil is a vegetable oil that is extracted from the coconut meat (White flesh) of a mature coconut (Brown Coconut). This is the pale yellow almost colourless oil, which can be used in cooking and cosmetic products.

Like coconut milk, coconut oil has a high amount of saturated fats. The saturated fats found in coconut oil are all medium chain fatty acids for example Lauric acid (Found in mothers milk), Caprylic Acid (Found in the milk of various mammals), etc.

In the market you can find two different types of coconut oil, virgin coconut oil and coconut oil made from copra. Within virgin coconut oil you can have cold pressed oil from grated coconut or centrifuged oil from milk.

How to extract coconut oil?

Coconut oil can be extracted two different ways, through a wet or dry process. Both need time, effort and skill just like the coconut milk process.

The dry process is when the coconut meat is removed from the outer husk and dried, also known as copra. It’s then pressed using an expeller. The protein and fibre are lost during this process as there is no way that you can extract the protein from the left over meat (Known as mash). Coconut oil made from copra has to be refined, bleached and deodorised to make it fit for consumption.

At home virgin coconut oil has been made for centuries but boiling coconut milk or fermenting coconut milk. In a factory virgin coconut oil is made by cold pressing grated coconut or centrifuging coconut milk.

Coconut oil can be used in many different ways in cooking and skin and hair products. When it comes to cooking at a high temperature coconut oil is suitable for frying and in curries. Many skin and hair products contain coconut oil because of its moisturising properties and vitamin E content. Coconut oil is known to help dry skin conditions and moisturize dry hair as it produces protein that is required for nourishing damaged hair.

To discover 101 uses of coconut oil click https://www.cocofina.com/pages/101-uses-for-coconut-oil

How do you make coconut milk?

Coconut milk is the white cloudy liquid extracted from the coconut meat. Many people around the world confuse coconut milk with coconut water drained out of a brown coconut, this is in fact mature coconut water.

Coconut milk is known for its high levels of saturated fat, the main saturated fat found is lauric acid which is also found in mother’s milk. Lauric acid has been known to have a positive effect on the circulatory system its also known to help to support bone and brain development. Coconut milk contains vitamins, minerals and electrolytes for example calcium, chloride, potassium, etc.

In many tropical countries where coconuts grow like Brazil, India, Malaysia, Thailand etc, coconut milk is used in many different ways including drinking it raw and used in cooking for example curries, sea food, stews and even desserts. Vegetarians and vegans often use coconut milk instead of dairy products (Cow’s Milk) in ice cream and yogurt, etc. During spring and summer, sweetened coconut milk is served on its own as a drink in Taiwan and southern China. This is made by adding sugar and milk when extracting the coconut milk from the meat. Traditionally coconut milk is used in cooking but it has many other uses such as in skin and hair products. It can be used in bath soaps, hair care products and moisturising creams which help to soothe dry skin.

If you would like to make coconut milk at home. Follow the instructions below.

If you have access to fresh coconut:

Choose a fresh coconut by shaking and choosing one with lots of water sloshing around. Open it without any major accidents, be very careful since its a risky affair if you are not experienced. Grate the flesh. Blend in a blender with a little water. Squeeze through a cheese cloth. A thick almost creamy milk will be obtained on the first squeeze, this step could be repeated up to 3 times to assure all the coconut milk has been collected. After this process if the coconut milk is left to settle the milk would gather at the bottom and a thick creamy layer would form on top, which is called coconut cream.

If you want to make milk from desiccated coconut:

Purchase a good quality desiccated/dry grated coconut. Ensure that it smells sweet and has not off aromas. Soak in hot water (just enough to cover the grated coconut not too much), wait for it cool. Blend in a blender. Squeeze through a cheese cloth. A thick almost creamy milk will be obtained on the first squeeze, this step could be repeated up to 3 times to assure all the coconut milk has been collected. After this process if the coconut milk is left to settle the milk would gather at the bottom and a thick creamy layer would form on top, which is called coconut cream.

What is coconut meat/flesh?

The endosperm or coconut meat, also known as "flesh" found inside the coconut is the edible part of the fruit. The coconut meat found in green coconuts is thinner and more gelatinous (Also known as “coconut jelly”) than the meat found in a mature coconut. When the coconut matures the outer husk turns brown, at this stage there would be less water and the endosperm becomes thicker and harder.

Coconut meat is known for its high amount of saturated fat, but in fact coconut meat contains less fat than many oilseeds (Oils extracted from plants cultivated for their seeds) such as almonds. The proportion of saturated fats in coconut meat is higher than in butter, around 90% of the fat in coconut meat is saturated. Although in the past saturated fats were seen as bad fats, of late there  has been limited tests and research to conclude that the fats in coconut are a type of saturated fats called MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides) which are beneficial for your body. MCT's are processes in different way to animal based saturated fats.

Although coconut meat contains less sugar and more protein than many other fruits for example oranges bananas and apples, it is also very high in minerals (Zinc and Iron). Coconut meat can be used in many different ways, it can be eaten fresh as a fruit, used in cooking for desserts, curries etc.

From the mature coconut meat, coconut milk, oil and desiccated coconut can be produced.

What is coconut water and what are the benefits of coconut water?

Coconut water or coconut juice is the clear liquid that’s found inside the green coconuts The green coconuts are harvested when they are about about 7 months. When the coconut water reaches the inside of the coconut, the water is clearer than the purest water from any spring - it's 100% naturally sterile. This is because the trunk of the coconut palm, the shell and husk all serve as natural filters for the ground water.

During World War II injured soldiers in the Pacific were without blood plasma for transfusions. Since coconut water is sterile and in perfect ph and electrolyte balance with human blood and it served as an ideal substitute.

Due to the presence of natural potassium and sodium electrolyte salts coconut water is used as a natural sports drink.

As the coconut matures the water inside slowly reduces, the meat in a green coconut is softer and more gelatinous (Known as coconut jelly) than the mature coconut. The thickness of the endosperm (White flesh) increases considerably.

Where do coconut palms grow & why?

The coconut palm tree requires a favourable habitat to grow and bear fruit. It prefers areas with sandy soil, regular rainfall (At least 150cm per year) and lots of sunshine. Coconut trees do not require any shade.

Coconuts require temperatures above 24°C but they are impartial to cold weather. A Coconut is rarely seen in low humidity areas because it needs high humidity to grow. 

So even if the temperature is above 24°C without high humidity the tree will not thrive. The palm tree can withstand winter temperatures of 4-12°C , and long periods of frost are usually fatal. 

This is the reason why coconut trees are found in over 80 different countries around the world mainly to the south of the equator. 

How did the coconut get its name?

The Coconut is believed to have gotten its name in the 16^th Century, in Portuguese ‘Coco’ means ‘Monkey face’. This is because the three holes found at the base of the coconut have a resemblance to monkey’s facial features.

The modern coconut as we know, known to have existed during the Eocene Period (37 to 57 millions years ago) which was found in India and Australia. However, the origin of the coconut plant is the subject of debate since some scientific research suggests an Indo-Pacific origin (Pacific Ocean or Indian Ocean). While others see the origin in north western South America since the ‘Nipa’ fruit which is one example of an older palm fossil that has been found in the Americas.

Why is the coconut tree known as the tree of life?

The coconut tree or palm is also known as 'The Tree of Life'. In fact the Sanskrit name for the coconut palm is 'Kalpa Vriksha', meaning "tree which gives all that is necessary for living.”

In the tropics every part of the coconut tree is used in day to day life. There are many different uses for the coconut palm. The trunks of the tree are often used to make small boats, canoes or furniture. Coconut palm trunks are also being used to build small bridges or used to build the walls of small houses since the trunk is naturally strong and straight.

The coconut palm leaves provide material for baskets and roof thatches, they can also be stripped and tied together to make a broom. The ribs of the leaves are also sharpened to make spears and arrows.

The bud of an adult coconut palm can be eaten, they are also known as ‘heart of palm’. Heart of palm is often eaten in salads, this is often known as the ‘millionaire’s salad’ this is because the heart of palm is very rare.

The root of the coconut palm tree has its own uses it can be used as a dye, a mouthwash and a medicine for diarrhoea.

A coconut palm takes between 6 to 10 years to mature and bear fruit.

How tall does a coconut tree grow?

A coconut palm tree is probably the most well known of the palms. The botanical name is cocos nucifera. Although there are hundreds of varieties of coconut trees in terms of height they can be classified in to the tall variety and the dwarf variety. The dwarf tree grows up to 6 meters and the tall tree can grow up to an incredible 30 meters!

A Coconut tree requires humidity and a stable temperature to bloom. The trunk of a coconut palm is one to two feet in diameter. It has no branches but has crowns of leaves, which resembles a bunch of feathers with many segments and are usually about 3 meters to 3 meters long. 

You will find wild coconut trees on tropical seacoasts. When coconuts ripen, they fall from the tree and are often washed out to sea. This is one of the ways coconut trees propagate. When the coconuts are in contact with salty water they do not sprout but when the reach land with fresh water it starts to sprout. After about 6-10 years the tree will begin to bear fruit. Hybrid varieties these days could start producing coconuts much earlier.

A coconut palm tree could produce up to 200 coconuts a year, but the average is about 40 coconuts.

To find out more about how tall does a coconut palm tree grow :https://www.cocofina.com/blogs/everything-coconut/how-tall-does-a-coconut-palm-tree-grow

Welcome to our coconut facts & recipes blog

Hello Coconut Lovers

In 2004 Cocofina was the first to launch coconut water in Europe. During those days we had to explain the difference between coconut milk and coconut water. We have come such a long way from the coconut water being mostly consumed by ethnic communities to mainstream super market shelves. Fast forward to now Cocofina produce over 32 products. Our products are sold in health food shops all over the UK and in 28 countries outside of the UK. The reason we shunned the super markets was because we wanted to keep to our original mission. We believe in doing a great job with what we can rather that taking on more that we can handle.

We are relaunching our blog, we want to share coconut facts and yummy coconut recipes. Watch this space. Please feel to reach out to us with feedback.

All the best

Elena - Cocofina - The Coconut Experts