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I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts... |
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World Coconut Day is observed on September 2nd. commemorating the formation of the Asian Pacific Coconut Community(APCC) in 2009. It is celebrated in the hopes of making people aware of how the coconut plays an important role in reducing poverty. The theme for this years celebration is "Building a Safe, Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Coconut Community Amid COVID-19 Pandemic & Beyond". The APCC is the 18 member countries intergovernmental organization with mandated coconut growth activities in the Asian Pacific Region to promote, organize and harmonize by facilitating most of the coconut production centers. The headquarter is located in Jakarta, Indonesia. How did the coconut get its name? If you de-husk a coconut you will find three indentations on the surface, looking almost like a human face. When the European explorers saw these three indentations it reminded them of a hobgoblin. The word for hobgoblin is "coco"....just add nut and you have coconut! Coconuts are classified as a fibrous one-seeded drupe. A drupe is a fruit with a hard stony covering enclosing the seed. It can be referred to as whole coconut palm or a seed, fruit or nut. The coconut palm is the national tree of the Maldives. Coconuts are thought to have originated in India. It then traveled to the coast of east Africa via the Arab sailors. The Austronesian sailors took it from south east Asia to the west Madagascar in the Indian Ocean and on to the east of the Pacific.
For thousands of year the coconut has been used as a source of food and construction materials and as one of the main oil suppliers. During World War II when IV (intra-venous) solutions were in short supply coconut water was used...it is 94% water. Every bit of the coconut is used, giving it the name of "Tree of Life". It can also be a life taker when it falls on the heads of people walking below! Club Direct, a British travel insurance), says that "coconuts kill around 150 people worldwide each year, which makes them about 10 times more dangerous than sharks". Every year, over 20 billion coconuts are grown. A coconut tree can produce 50 to 80 coconuts annually. The life span of the tree is 60-80 years. It is slow to mature, bearing coconuts in 6 to 10 years, and reaching peak production in about 15 to 20 years. The fruits take about a year to develop and are produced regularly during the year. The largest producer of coconuts is India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Coconut, coconut oil and coconut milk are the major ingredients in many food recipes. It is said to boost immunity as a source of antioxidants and can reduce obesity and promote digestion. The low calorie and high fiber content can help diabetics manage their blood sugar levels. Indians swear by coconut oil for nourishing their hair. It conditions hair leaving it soft and luxurious. Coconut oil is said to be useful for mosquito bites, anti-aging, healing skin from scars, scabs and wounds. Coconut leaves are used to make brooms, baskets, mats and roofs for thatched huts. The coconut coir, the fibrous material between the hard internal shell and the outer coat of a coconut, is a natural elastic fiber which can be used to make ropes and strings. It can be used to make mats, stuffing for mattresses and upholstery, in packaging and fishing net. The coconut shell and husk are a source of charcoal and can be used as fuel. To celebrate this day, crack open a coconut and enjoy the sweet meat. Cook something different. How about making a coconut-based curry, coconut shrimp, coconut-lime rice or coconut crusted onion rings. For fun, throw a tiki party using tiki torches, leis, grass skirts, decorations of orchids and tropical fruit, play ukulele music, and of course umbrellas in the drinks!! "It's one thing to talk the talk; it's another thing to walk after getting whacked with a coconut." -- Rodd Pipery |
