African proverb: The person on whose head coconut is broken does not eat of it.
This week I am writing about the #coconut as this coming Monday (2nd September) is World Coconut Day, established in 2009 by producing nations.
The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera, Arecaceae)originates in the coastal region and islands of South-East Asia, where it was domesticated in neolithic times. The familiar nut or fruit is actually both –called a “drupe” in botany. Island peoples used coconuts as portable, nutritious and durable food for their sea migrations. On reaching their new home the migrants would plant uneaten coconuts to grow new palms.
The hardiness of the coconut evolved, of course, for survival of the tree species rather than man. Coconut can germinate after floating in seawater for long periods. However, speculations that coconut reached Africa and South America by natural sea currents have largely been dismissed; more likely humans had a hand in those migrations.
Coconut milk/water is in rich in electrolytes making for a healthy sports drink. The flesh has minerals, vitamins, some protein and lots of dietary fibre; the dried flesh (copra) can be pressed to extract coconut oil. The “coir” (from the husk) can be made into brushes, mats and baskets.
Coconut has been used traditionally to treat numerous ailments, even the husk to treat diarrhea (see Lima et al, 2015). The wide-ranging pharmacological activities reflect the rich assortment of phytochemicals. Coconut oil provides a healthy dose of vitamin E, but the fat content is mostly lauric (C₁₂) myristic (C₁₄) acids, both saturated fatty acids, provoking controversy about its nutritional benefits. However, “Coconut Fatty Acid” is a well-regarded cosmetic ingredient, used in cleansers, and you can even apply them with a coconut-fibre scrub pad.
Happy World Coconut Day. You can celebrate with a suitable food, beverage, cosmetic or weaving activity.
Further reading
🥥 World Coconut Day (2023) “Date, history, significance, amazing benefits of coconut". Hindustan Times. 2023-09-01 https://lnkd.in/dkuBtcdY
🥥 Harries HC & Clement CR(2014). Long-distance dispersal of the coconut palm by migration within thecoral atoll ecosystem. Annals of botany, 113(4),565–570. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mct293
🥥 Lima EB et al (2015). Cocos nucifera (L.)(Arecaceae): A phytochemical and pharmacological review. Braz J Med BiolRes. 48(11), 953–964. https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-431X20154773
