Coconut: Where It Grows, How to Open It, Interesting Facts, Beneficial Properties

Paradise beaches of distant islands are incomplete without coconut palms. Their delicious fruits are a staple food for inhabitants of southern coastal regions. The coconut is not just a symbol of tropical heat; it’s a valuable product used in cuisine, medicine, and cosmetics.

The coconut got its name in the 16th century, derived from the Spanish word “coco,” meaning “monkey.” The fruit indeed resembles the face of a funny animal.

Where Do Coconuts Grow?

Coconuts grow on coconut palms, which are perennial plants belonging to the Arecaceae family, genus Cocos nucifera. Young shoots look like grass, but over time, they develop into typical trees, albeit with some peculiarities: they lack bark and annual rings, and their stem structure is fibrous.

The growing point is a bud that unfolds in the middle of the crown. Despite this, botanists classify the coconut palm as a plant rather than a tree because it lacks branches.

Palms are classified based on their size:

• Tall palms can reach 30 meters and bear fruit 6-7 years after the first shoots appear. They have a lifespan of about 70 years and require cross-pollination to yield fruit.
• Dwarf palms do not exceed 10 meters and live for 30-40 years. They bear fruit in as little as 3 years and can self-pollinate.

The root system of the tree adapts to sandy soil. The central root dies off, but numerous lateral roots spread in all directions, sometimes reaching depths of 10 meters.

How Does the Coconut Flower?

The coconut palm flowers throughout the year, forming large bunches every few weeks. Each inflorescence produces 10-12 fruits. The fruits, commonly called nuts, are actually more like fruits with a hard shell protecting the kernel.

The coconut palm reproduces by seeds, with a single tree producing up to 200 fruits annually.

The coconut palm’s homeland is believed to be the Malay Archipelago, but the accuracy of this hypothesis is questionable. Fossilized coconuts have been found in New Zealand, India, and Sri Lanka.

Wild plants are found only in tropical regions, preferring coastal oceanic zones. Waves help the fruits travel long distances, washing them ashore hundreds of miles from the parent tree. If palms are far from water, it means they were planted by humans.

The largest coconut plantations are located in the Philippines, India, Malaysia, Africa, and Indonesia. The annual production volume of coconuts reaches 17 billion.

The Medicinal Properties and Benefits of Coconut

This exotic delicacy has long been used in medicine and cosmetology. The fruit pulp contains:

• Vitamins A, C, K, E
• B-group vitamins
• Macro- and microelements (calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, etc.)
• Folic acid, lauric acid
• Biotin

Health Benefits of Coconuts:

• Hormonal imbalance: Coconuts help regulate hormones.
• Cardiovascular health: They support heart health.
• Gastrointestinal disorders: Coconuts aid in digestion and help with ulcers.
• Cancer prevention: The nutrients in coconuts may help prevent certain cancers.
• Joint pain relief: They are beneficial for arthritis and rheumatism.
• Mental health: Coconuts can help alleviate depression.
• Vision improvement: They are good for eye health.
• Kidney health: Coconuts help prevent kidney stone formation.

The core has anthelmintic, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and bactericidal effects. Vitamins and fiber contribute to the rapid absorption of nutrients.

Coconut oil, produced from the pulp, acts comprehensively:

• Supports the thyroid gland
• Purifies the blood
• Regulates digestive processes

The product is highly valued in cosmetology, improving the condition of the skin and hair. Oil is a source of fatty acids and does not overload the liver, making it ideal for athletes as a natural remedy for recovery after intense workouts.

Coconut milk eliminates toxins, accelerates metabolism, fights viruses, increases hemoglobin, and strengthens bones and teeth. It is effective for diseases of the bladder and respiratory infections.

Coconut is also a strong aphrodisiac and is included in many “male” remedies.

How to Open a Coconut at Home

To enjoy the ripe pulp, you will need to make some effort. Considering the very tough shell, it is not possible to open a coconut by hand.

To “deal with” a coconut, you can:

• Crack it with a heavy object
• Saw it with a saw
• Split it with a large kitchen knife

Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to drain the juice through the hole in the shell. One of the three dark spots located at the end of the fruit is vulnerable; it can be easily pierced with a needle or awl. Then, measuring approximately a third from the edge of the coconut, strike the weak spot several times with a hammer, axe, or another handy tool. The outer shell will crack.

Interesting Facts About Coconuts

1. Hindus consider coconuts sacred and traditionally offer them in sacrifice to higher powers.
2. Missionaries once forced the local population to destroy coconut palms because they made obtaining food and raw materials too easy.
3. In Africa, there are 99 known uses for the coconut palm and its parts.
4. New Caledonia launched a power plant running on coconut oil.
5. The Coconut Palace in Manila is built from coconut shells and coconut lumber.
6. The average weight of a coconut is 2-2.5 kg.
7. Coconuts can remain viable in the ocean for up to 110 days.
8. Trained monkeys are often used to harvest coconuts, collecting up to 700 nuts per day.
9. In Tonga, many fatal accidents are caused by falling coconuts.
10. Coconut palms extract about 1.34 kg of salt from the soil annually, without which they would perish.
11. Inside a whole coconut, the water is sterile and was once used as plasma during blood transfusions.
12. Coconut milk has a similar composition to breast milk.
13. Coconut Danger: In the small Pacific nation of Tonga, life is so peaceful that the leading cause of premature death is being struck by a falling coconut.
14. Name Origin: The word “coconut” comes from the Portuguese word “coco,” meaning “monkey.”
15. Coconut Core: The brown coconuts sold in stores are actually the inner core of the nut, stripped of its thick, tough outer husk.
16. Ocean Travelers: Coconuts can cross oceans, and if they wash ashore, they can easily sprout and grow into new trees.
17. Coastal Growth: Coconut palms primarily grow along coastlines, though they can also be found inland where there is sufficient water.
18. Top Producer: Indonesia is the world’s leading producer of coconuts by a large margin.
19. Palm Size: The trunk of a coconut palm can reach up to 45 cm in diameter and 30 meters in height, comparable to a 10-story building.
20. Leaves: A coconut palm typically has between 20 to 35 leaves.
21. Coconut Weight: Coconuts generally weigh between 1.5 to 2.5 kg, and it usually takes 8-10 months for them to mature. They grow in clusters of 15-20 nuts.
22. Not a Nut: Botanists classify the coconut as a drupe, not a nut, though it is commonly referred to as a nut.
23. Nutrient-Rich: Coconut flesh contains almost all the nutrients necessary for human health.
24. Coconut Water vs. Milk: Coconut water and coconut milk are different products. The former is a clear liquid found in green, unripe coconuts, while the latter is made by blending the oily water from the nut with its shredded flesh.
25. Sterility: If a coconut is undamaged, the water inside it is completely sterile, much like medical saline solution.
26. Vitamin-Rich: Coconut water contains vitamins B1, B3, B6, E, C, folic acid, and the rare but important vitamin K, which aids in calcium absorption.
27. Health Benefits: Due to its immune-boosting properties, coconut is believed to improve the overall health of people with diabetes.
28. Salt Needs: Coconut palms require a lot of salt to grow. The farther a tree is from the shore, the shorter it tends to be, which is why coconut palms are usually found near salty bodies of water rather than freshwater sources.
29. Botanical Classification: Since coconut palms have no branches or bark, botanists classify them not as trees but as perennial herbaceous plants.
30. Versatile Uses: Coconuts are used to produce a variety of products, including oil, desserts, beverages, and even alcoholic drinks.
31. Coir Fiber: The hairy outer layer of the coconut, known as coir, is used to make ropes and cords.
32. Coconut Furniture: In some countries, the trunks of coconut palms are used to make furniture.
33. Coconut Palace: The famous Coconut Palace in Manila, Philippines, is constructed entirely from coconut wood.
34. Lifespan: The average lifespan of a coconut palm is 90-100 years.
35. Annual Yield: A single palm tree can produce up to 400-450 coconuts per year.
36. Bactericidal Properties: Coconut has bactericidal properties, preventing it from rotting even in hot and humid conditions.
37. Cosmetic Industry: Products made from coconut are widely used in the cosmetic industry.
38. Fatal Falls: An estimated 150-160 people die each year from falling coconuts, and this number may be much higher in reality.
39. Trained Monkeys: In some countries, people train monkeys to harvest coconuts. A well-trained monkey can collect up to 500-700 nuts a day for its owner.
40. Coconut Power Plant: In New Caledonia, one power plant runs on eco-friendly oil extracted from coconuts.
41. Medical Use: Due to its sterility, coconut water was used as a plasma substitute in medicine until the mid-1970s.