The dried calyx is used as fuel in wood-fired stoves. Other cultivars of niu leka may also exist in other islands of the Pacific, and some are probably descendants of advanced crosses between Compact Dwarfs and Southeast Asian Dwarf types.[11][65]. However they are mainly present as decoration, and the Australian coconut industry is small; Australia is a net importer of coconut products. [49][4][48][60], The coconut played a critical role in the migrations of the Austronesian peoples. In addition to its use as a food, the coconut is also a source of oil, which is used in cooking and in the production of a range of products, including soaps, cosmetics, and candles. The coconut oil is in great demand for edible purposes, for soap making toilet preparation. Coconut - Wikipedia [65][64] The fact that all dwarf coconuts share three genetic markers out of thirteen (which are only present in low frequencies in tall cultivars) makes it likely that they all originate from a single domesticated population. . The milk or cream obtained by squeezing the granted kernel diluteded in water is sued in many preparations. Desiccated or shredded coconut is very popular in breakfast cereals and cookies as well. The shell, freed from the husk, and heated on warm ashes, exudes an oily material that is used to soothe dental pains in traditional medicine of Cambodia. the coconut indu stry of g reat economic imp orta nce. [7][8][9] Given proper care and growing conditions, coconut palms produce their first fruit in six to ten years, taking 15 to 20 years to reach peak production. [11] Many modern different varieties are also grown, including the Maypan coconut, King coconut, and Macapuno. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reports the top producers are the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, and India. Though Kerala has the largest number of coconut trees, in terms of production per hectare, Tamil Nadu leads all other states. Demand grew by 8 percent annually during 1993 to 2004. He took the term from the Arabs, who called it jawz hind, translating to 'Indian nut'. [112] Proteins from coconut may cause food allergy, including anaphylaxis. However, admixture, the transfer of genetic material, evidently occurred between the two populations. This mite infests coconut plantations, and is devastating; it can destroy up to 90% of coconut production. Coconut oil, from the seed of the palm coconut, Cocos nucifera, is highly revered in Asia as the "Tree of Life" or as the fruit of the gods. Production is based in Southern Asia, Central and South America, Oceania and southern Africa; Asia accounts for 84 percent. Yet, its high in calories and saturated fat, so you should eat it in moderation. ~The effect will be much stronger when consumed by adding ~When mask made with milk inside coconut, color tone of skin will be opened. Wiki User. Several countries' economies are based on the coconut palm. Full article: Overview and Constraints of the Coconut Supply Chain in The use of coconut branches in corporal punishment was revived in the Gilbertese community on Choiseul in the Solomon Islands in 2005. It is also often stated that coconuts can travel 110 days, or 5,000km (3,000mi), by sea and still be able to germinate. The terms are derived from the Samoan language and was adopted into scientific usage by Harries (1978). The coconut palm thrives on sandy soils and is highly tolerant of salinity. The Coconut Palm (Cocos Nucifera L.) is referred as The Tree of Life due to its incredible value to man and the incredible number of products and by-products that can be created from it. [13] Like other fruits, it has three layers: the exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp. They were commonly carried by Spanish ships as a source of fresh water. "Effects of coconut oil on testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in Sprague-Dawley rats". Efficient utilisation of resources: Fruit production allows for more efficient resource utilisation because it is a perennial crop, allowing growers to remain actively involved in farm operations throughout the year and to utilise all available resources and assets such as machinery, labour and land for production purposes throughout the year, as opposed to agronomic crops. There are currently two major viewpoints on the origins of the genus Cocos, one in the Indo-Pacific, and another in South America. [104], In Goa, the coconut tree has been reclassified by the government as a palm (rather than a tree), enabling farmers and developers to clear land with fewer restrictions and without needing permission from the forest department before cutting a coconut tree.[105][106]. The earliest Cocos-like fossil to be found was "Cocos"zeylanica, a fossil species described from small fruits, around 3.5cm (1+12in) 1.3 to 2.5cm (12 to 1in) in size, recovered from the Miocene (~23 to 5.3 million years ago) of New Zealand in 1926. The know-how of coconut cultivation and necessary soil fixation and irrigation may have found its way into Omani, Hadrami and Al-Mahra culture by people who returned from those overseas areas. Economic importance The palms with the greatest importance in world commerce are the coconut and the African oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ); both are prime sources of vegetable oil and fat. Therefore, heavy turf grass environments (beach resorts and golf courses) also pose a major threat to local coconut trees. 37(9):830-5, 2004. A cloudy white liquid, it has a particularly sharp, acidic taste with a slightly yeasty note.[149]. and Koop Wind (Eds.). Dried coconut is also used as the filling for many chocolate bars. Add an answer. Saturday &Sunday CLOSED, Hybrid Coconut seedlings, Deejay Sampoorna. Lagos and the coconut connection - The Guardian Nigeria News Encyclopaedia Brittanica online. [160], Coir (the fiber from the husk of the coconut) is used in ropes, mats, doormats, brushes, and sacks, as caulking for boats, and as stuffing fiber for mattresses. Chan, Edward and Craig R. Elevitch. Coconut (Cocos nucifera). [118][119] Another method is to shake the coconut. The Pacific group is the only one to display clear genetic and phenotypic indications that they were domesticated; including dwarf habit, self-pollination, and the round "niu vai" fruit morphology with larger endosperm-to-husk ratios. Coconuts were introduced by Europeans to the Americas only during the colonial era in the Columbian exchange, but there is evidence of a possible pre-Columbian introduction of Pacific coconuts to Panama by Austronesian sailors. [14][15], The interior of the endocarp is hollow and is lined with a thin brown seed coat around 0.2mm (164in) thick. In 1987, a "coconut law" was signed by Governor Edwin Edwards exempting from insurance liability any decorated coconut "handed" from a Zulu float. Some cultivars such as 'Fiji dwarf' form a large bulb at the lower stem and others are cultivated to produce very sweet coconut water with orange-colored husks (king coconut) used entirely in fruit stalls for drinking (Sri Lanka, India). Coconut palms yield roughly 20 percent of the market's oils and fats, Just Change Trust estimates. They need annual rainfall of at least 120cm, temperatures from 70 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit and sandy, slightly acidic soil with good drainage. In Kerala, India, the main coconut pests are the coconut mite, the rhinoceros beetle, the red palm weevil, and the coconut leaf caterpillar. Its fruits are similar to the coconut, but smaller. 2022 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. The young coconut plants need to be nursed and irrigated with drip pipes until they are old enough (stem bulb development) to be irrigated with brackish water or seawater alone, after which they can be replanted on the beaches. It also had ceremonial importance in pre-colonial animistic religions. Coconut palms yield roughly 20 percent of the market's oils and fats, Just Change Trust estimates. [98][99][100], Two important coconut products were first developed in the Philippines, macapuno and nata de coco. These allow the fruits to be more buoyant and makes it easier for them to lodge into sandy shorelines, making their shape ideal for ocean dispersal. Dried coconut leaves can be burned to ash, which can be harvested for lime. It also plays a central role in the Coconut Religion of Vietnam. [21][22], Whole mature coconuts (11 to 13 months from flowering) sold for export, however, typically have the husk removed to reduce weight and volume for transport. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for irritated, chafed skin. Economic aspects of Coconut Lethal Yellowing in Jamaica The fruit, meat, water, and milk of the coconut are all widely consumed as part of the diet in many parts of the world. In Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore and Tirupur regions top the production list. [37][38] In the West it was originally called nux indica, a name used by Marco Polo in 1280 while in Sumatra. [140][141] It can also be fermented to produce a jelly-like dessert known as nata de coco. It is the dominant form in the Indo-Atlantic coconuts. But research on them is still ongoing to determine which of them (if any) actually belong to the genus Cocos. However, they can be eaten anytime after seven months (1, 2). However, both James Cook and William Bligh[69] (put adrift after the Bounty mutiny) found no sign of the nuts along this 2,000km (1,200mi) stretch when he needed water for his crew. Coconut production in the Philippines - Wikipedia Coconuts can contribute over $400bn to Nigerian economy annually - Official [34][35][36][37] Coco and coconut apparently came from 1521 encounters by Portuguese and Spanish explorers with Pacific Islanders, with the coconut shell reminding them of a ghost or witch in Portuguese folklore called coco (also cca). [62] The two groups are genetically distinct, with the dwarf variety showing a greater degree of artificial selection for ornamental traits and for early germination and fruiting. [91][85] In other areas, like in Papua New Guinea, coconuts are simply collected when they fall to the ground. (2006). As of 2006, the U.S. annually imported 190 million pounds of coconut oil, whose worldwide trade reached $20 million. Economic importance of coconut fruit. Botanical description and [107] The annual rainy season known locally as khareef or monsoon makes coconut cultivation easy on the Arabian east coast. Moisturize properly after washing your face. Perera, Lalith, Suriya A.C.N. [13] It is consumed throughout the humid tropics, and has been introduced into the retail market as a processed sports drink. According to the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, the coconut and African oil palms have important roles in international trade as sources of vegetable oil and fat. [86][87][88][84], The pole method uses a long pole with a cutting device at the end. Palm. However, the locations of the admixture events are limited to Madagascar and coastal east Africa, and exclude the Seychelles. The terminology is derived from the Tagalog language. Coconut flesh is high in fat and can be dried or eaten fresh or processed into coconut milk or coconut oil. Coconut palms are cultivated north of south Florida to roughly Cocoa Beach on the East Coast and Clearwater on the West Coast. The husks can be used as flotation devices. It is predominantly used in the bakery and confectionary industries (especially in non-coconut-producing countries) because of its longer shelf life compared to freshly grated coconut. "The potential of the Coconut Industry is huge and benefits are available for parties from all sectors. typica) and "Dwarf" (var. Overall, unsweetened coconut meat makes a great addition to a balanced diet. Climbing is the most widespread, but it is also more dangerous and requires skilled workers. It can be reduced further to yield coconut sugar also referred to as palm sugar or jaggery. These varieties were selected for slower growth, sweeter coconut water, and often brightly-colored fruits. These includes two specimens named "Cocos" palaeonucifera and "Cocos" binoriensis, both were dated by their authors to the MaastrichtianDanian of the early Tertiary (70 to 62 million years ago). These provide substantial circumstantial evidence that deliberate Austronesian voyagers were involved in carrying coconuts across the Pacific Ocean and that they could not have dispersed worldwide without human agency. Perianth Tepals 6 arranged in two whorls of three each, persistent, and polyphyllous showing imbricate aestivation in both the whorls. Coconut oil is a "functional food" that is popular in traditional medicine in Asia and used worldwide to treat a wide variety of health problems from abscesses to upset stomachs. Coconut Research Center. The Coconut And Its Importance To Belize 37(9):830-5, 2004. The inner flesh of the mature seed, as well as the coconut milk extracted from it, form a regular part of the diets of many people in the tropics and subtropics. Every part of the palm is usable for human needs -- food, shelter and fiber. Nutrition Facts: Vegetable Oil, Coconut. Oilseeds, overall. The leaves are used for thatching houses, or for decorating climbing frames and meeting rooms in Cambodia, where the plant is known as d:ng.[158]. [70] In the Hawaiian Islands, the coconut is regarded as a Polynesian introduction, first brought to the islands by early Polynesian voyagers (also Austronesians) from their homelands in the southern islands of Polynesia.[39]. Two of the pores are plugged (the "eyes"), while one is functional. Global Coconut production yields 6 million tons in coconut oil equivalent annually and 70% is produced by Philippines, Indonesia and India, Coconut area as a % of viable arable and permanent cropland. [78], A more controversial method employed by a small number of coconut farmers in Thailand and Malaysia use trained pig-tailed macaques to harvest coconuts. [150] Its chronic consumption may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases by raising total blood cholesterol levels through elevated blood levels of LDL cholesterol and lauric acid. This type of root system is known as fibrous or adventitious, and is a characteristic of grass species. "Chapter 12 Coconut". Coconut oil, aside from being used in cooking as an ingredient and for frying, is used in soaps, cosmetics, hair oil, and massage oil. Coconut is grown in more than20.88 lakhha in the country with an estimated22167.45 million nuts during 2015-16with an average productivity of10614 nuts per ha. The importance of the coconut in Austronesian cultures is evidenced by shared terminology of even very specific parts and uses of coconuts, which were carried outwards from the Philippines during the Austronesian migrations. Its BRIX level is 16 [sugars] compared to 12 in sugarcane juice. The world coir production is 0.282 million tones. Choti Holi, also known as Holika Dahan, is an important Hindu festival celebrated throughout India, one day before the main Holi festival. Several countries' economies are based on the coconut palm. They also include fossil fruits that have been tentatively identified as modern Cocos nucifera. It is still the largest producer of coconut oil and copra, accounting for 64% of the global production. Dried half shells are used as the bodies of musical instruments, including the Chinese yehu and banhu, along with the Vietnamese n go and Arabo-Turkic rebab. Coconut oil is also a main ingredient in Ayurvedic oils. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 59 (7): 995. Coconut oil helps bolster your skins protective barrier layer, trapping moisture inside and keeping skin supple and hydrated. Mature coconuts are ovoid or ellipsoid in shape, 3045 cm (1218 inches) in length and 1520 cm (68 inches) in diameter. Coconut flesh is high in fat and can be dried or eaten fresh or processed into coconut milk orcoconut oil. Rajamohan T. Clinical Biochemistry. Sweet coconut sap can be made into drinks or fermented into palm wine or coconut vinegar. China is the largest producer of watermelon, Brazil of oranges, Italy of grapes and India of bananas. [66] However, it can also be argued that the placement of the vulnerable eye of the nut (down when floating), and the site of the coir cushion are better positioned to ensure that the water-filled nut does not fracture when dropping on rocky ground, rather than for flotation. Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images. Coconuts can only be grown in temperatures above 18C (64F) and need a daily temperature above 22C (72F) to produce fruit. de Lourdes Arruzazabala, M.; Molina, V.; Ms, R.; Carbajal, D.; Marrero, D.; Gonzlez, V.; Rodrguez, E. (2007). Early Spanish explorers called it coco, meaning "monkey face." A coconut (Sanskrit: narikela) is an essential element of rituals in Hindu tradition. In Australia, a Cocos-like fossil fruit, measuring 10cm 9.5cm (3+78in 3+34in), were recovered from the Chinchilla Sand Formation dated to the latest Pliocene or basal Pleistocene. Besides the edible kernels and the drink obtained from green nuts, the harvested coconut also yields copra, the dried extracted kernel, or meat, from which coconut oil, a major vegetable oil, is expressed. The coconut populations in the island show genetic admixture between the two subpopulations indicating that Pacific coconuts were brought by the Austronesian settlers that later interbred with the local Indo-Atlantic coconuts. The small cylindrical embryo is embedded in the solid endosperm directly below the functional pore of the endosperm. They have a thick fibrous husk surrounding the single-seeded nut. In the Philippines, the traditional tool is known as the halabas and is made from a long bamboo pole with a sickle-like blade mounted at the tip.