Coconut: The Fruit of Life

No other fruit can replicate the amazing benefits it provided, is providing and will continue to provide humankind.

It is the fruit of the coco palm (Cocos nucifera Linn). Unlike most fruit bearing plants, coco palms are always in season.

They produce year round, usually a bunch of 12-14 nuts every month. A typical coco palm here in the Philippines can yield up to 150 fruits-of-life per year.

Perhaps before anything else, let's first show why the coco palm is aptly called, the tree of life.

Every part of this magnificent large plant has value, from its very roots, all the way up to those 4-6 meter leaves:

A. Mature Nut

• Meat

• Oil - cooking, cosmetics, soap, shampoo, medical uses

• Milk - food preparation, beauty products, medical uses

• Flour - baking

• Dietary fiber - heart disease and colon cancer prevention

• Food/delicacies

• Animal feeds

• Water - Vinegar, Wine

• Shell - Charcoal, Activated carbon, Trinkets, Household items, Handicrafts, Decorations

• Husk (Fiber, Pith) - Ropes, Coir mattresses, Organic fertilizer, Coir sheets for preventing soil erosion

B. Young Nut

• Water - Plant growth hormones/regulators, Kidney stone prevention

C. Inflorescence

• Sugar, Food items, Alcoholic drinks

D. Spathe

• Decors, Helmets, Handbags, Handicraft, Fans

E. Leaves

• Paper pulp, Housing materials, Baskets, Trays

F. Trunk

• Lumber, Wood products

G. Roots

• Dye stuff, Twine, Ropes

Is a coconut a fruit or a nut? If you're still confused as to the true nature of this tropical wonder, please click the link just above.

Both the mature and young nuts are responsible for the numerous coco products millions are enjoying and benefiting from all over the world.