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.

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