What are 10 uses for a coconut? Though safer and faster than the climbing method, its main disadvantage is that it does not allow workers to examine and clean the crown of coconuts for pests and diseases. They are ubiquitous in coastal tropical regions and are a cultural icon of the tropics. This pattern coincides with the known trade routes of Austronesian sailors. In the Ilocos region of the northern Philippines, the Ilocano people fill two halved coconut shells with diket (cooked sweet rice), and place liningta nga itlog (halved boiled egg) on top of it. Hindus often initiate the beginning of any new activity by breaking a coconut to ensure the blessings of the gods and successful completion of the activity. Linguistic, archaeological, and genetic evidence all point to the early domestication of Pacific coconuts by the Austronesian peoples in maritime Southeast Asia during the Austronesian expansion (c.3000 to 1500BCE). Agriculture Industry In the past, the harvesting of coconuts and their husks was considered part of the waste or for burning fuel, and they did not have much economic benefit. Its versatility and value make it an important commodity that continues to play a vital role in the economic development of many countries around the world. Coconuts can only be grown in temperatures above 18C (64F) and need a daily temperature above 22C (72F) to produce fruit. As of 2006, the U.S. annually imported 190 million pounds of coconut oil, whose worldwide trade reached $20 million. "Effects of coconut oil on testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in Sprague-Dawley rats". What are the economic importance of coconut? World Coconut Economy: Sectoral Issues, Markets and Trade 2022 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. The Coconut Research Center describes the nut as rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals with oil comprising mainly medium-chain fatty acids. 2,0004,000 adventitious roots may grow, each about 1cm (12in) large. In some coconut growing countries, the coconut is the main or only source of foreign exchange earnings. Coconut production in the Philippines - Wikipedia It is eaten as is or used as an ingredient in various dishes. This ritual, known as niniyogan, is an offering made to the deceased and one's ancestors. In Belize, coconuts are grown countrywide. These varieties were selected for slower growth, sweeter coconut water, and often brightly-colored fruits. This invertebrate builds armor from coconut halves", "Indonesia's veined octopus 'stilt walks' to collect coconut shells", "Coconut Fruit Of Lustre In Indian Culture", "How the Zulu coconut was saved from extinction", "Living Heritage Marcellin College Sina and the Eel", "The Fifth Voyage of Sindbad the Seaman The Arabian Nights The Thousand and One Nights Sir Richard Burton translator", Coconut revival new possibilities for the 'tree of life', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Coconut&oldid=1136466340, Mean daily temperature above 1213C (5455F) every day of the year, Mean annual rainfall above 1,000mm (39in). While comparable to sports drinks, which can be loaded with added sugars and flavorings, coconut water is low in calories and carbs. Based on linguistic evidence, the absence of words for coconut in the Taiwanese Austronesian languages makes it likely that the Austronesian coconut culture developed only after Austronesians started colonizing the Philippines. 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. [171] Often it is decorated with bright metal foils and other symbols of auspiciousness. Economic importance of coconut fruit. Benefits of Coconut Fruit: Why [49][4][48][60], The coconut played a critical role in the migrations of the Austronesian peoples. While comparable to sports drinks, which can be loaded with added sugars and flavorings, coconut water is low in calories and carbs. 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. [26][27] In Colombia, a single Cocos-like fruit was recovered from the middle to late Paleocene Cerrejn Formation. It is also popular in Indonesia (where it is known as kopyor) for making beverages. ; Batugal, P.; Bonnot, F. (2008). Overall, the coconut fruit is an important economic resource that has a wide range of uses and contributes significantly to local and global economies. 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 oil is moisturizing and has been used for centuries as a hair tonic and skin care product. Coconut buttons are often used for Hawaiian aloha shirts. She has worked in some of the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. According to epidemiological research published in 1981, a group of Polynesians for whom coconut represented 60% of the daily diet had no evidence of heart disease or hypercholesterolemia, despite the high lauric and myristic acid intake. [27][28] Endt & Hayward (1997) have noted their resemblance to members of the South American genus Parajubaea, rather than Cocos, and propose a South American origin. They provided a portable source of both food and water, allowing Austronesians to survive long sea voyages to colonize new islands as well as establish long-range trade routes. Coconut flesh is high in fat and can be dried or eaten fresh or processed into coconut milk or coconut oil. Freshly shredded mature coconut meat, known as "grated coconut", "shredded coconut", or "coconut flakes", is used in the extraction of coconut milk. Philippine and Malayan dwarf coconuts diverged early into two distinct types. [173] In the foothills of the temple town of Palani, before going to worship Murugan for the Ganesha, coconuts are broken at a place marked for the purpose. [1] The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut")[2] can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which botanically is a drupe, not a nut. In Johann Vollmann and Istvan Rajcan (Eds.). Specimens have been collected from the sea as far north as Norway (but it is not known where they entered the water). [44], Coconuts have a nearly cosmopolitan distribution due to human cultivation and dispersal. This basically turns the trunk of the tree into a ladder, though it reduces the value of coconut timber recovered from the trees and can be an entry point for infection. Required fields are marked *. They need annual rainfall of at least 120cm, temperatures from 70 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit and sandy, slightly acidic soil with good drainage. What are the importance of coconut and its different uses? Want this question answered? What Does The Fig Tree Represent In John 1? A single coconut palm may yield 100 coconuts annually, and each fruit requires a year to fully ripen. Source of Raw Material for the Agro-Based Industries In the agro-based industry, fruit growing offers the raw materials for canning and preserving products, among other things fresh fruits. Coconut oil is one of nine internationally traded vegetable oils and ranks eighth in global production. This is in line with our tagline, Office : De-husked coconuts typically weigh around 750 to 850 grams (1lb 10oz to 1lb 14oz). Malauhog (literally "mucus-like") refers to very young coconut meat (around 6 to 7 months old) which has a translucent appearance and a gooey texture that disintegrates easily. Narali Purnima is celebrated on a full moon day which usually signifies the end of monsoon season in India. [18][19][20] [134][135] It can also be diluted into a beverage. in semiotics from Brown University and completed coursework for an M.A. Female flower Bracteate, ebracteolate, sessile, pistillate, incomplete, trimerous, actinomorphic and hypogynous. Malakanin (literally "cooked rice-like") refers to young coconut meat (around 78 months old) which has a more opaque white appearance, a soft texture similar to cooked rice, and can still be easily scraped off the coconut shell. The researchers concluded that it was brought by early Austronesian sailors to the Americas from at least 2,250 BP, and may be proof of pre-Columbian contact between Austronesian cultures and South American cultures. The falling of their mature fruit has led to preoccupation with death by coconut.[3][5]. One of their first uses of the coconut was to produce cooking oil. Aids in hydration. What are the economic importance of coconut? - Answers Omani people needed the coir rope from the coconut fiber to stitch together their traditional seagoing dhow vessels in which nails were never used. [113], Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) is a surfactant manufactured from coconut oil that is increasingly used as an ingredient in personal hygiene products and cosmetics, such as shampoos, liquid soaps, cleansers and antiseptics, among others. Importance, Composition and Uses of Coconut - agriinfo.in It contains less than 3% of the original moisture content of coconut meat. Coconut is the environment friendly small-holder palm of the tropical environment, Covering 12.28 million hectares in 90 countries with an annual production of 64.3 billion nuts, Coconut provides USD$ 7.73 Billion per annum to global coconut small holders. [33], The name coconut is derived from the 16th-century Portuguese word coco, meaning 'head' or 'skull' after the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features. (January 27, 1967). Mature fruits have significantly less liquid than young, immature coconuts, barring spoilage. [127][128][129] Desiccated coconut are used in confections and desserts such as macaroons. Coconut palms yield roughly 20 percent of the market's oils and fats, Just Change Trust estimates. It also plays a central role in the Coconut Religion of Vietnam. 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). The biggest barrier to establishing an investment climate for coconut and an economic alternative to oil palm land area expansion is the critical lack of quality planting materials and coconut investment model. 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. [18][49] However, they may have also been partially selected for thicker husks for coir production, which was also important in Austronesian material culture as a source for cordage in building houses and boats. A study in 2008 showed that the coconuts in the Americas are genetically closest related to coconuts in the Philippines, and not to any other nearby coconut populations (including Polynesia). (1992). (eds.). Add an answer. The coconut is also an important economic resource for the production of fiber and other materials. [27] Spread coconut flakes thinly on a baking sheet and put them in the oven for around five or 10 minutes until they're golden brown. Why Is Coconut Abundant In The Philippines? - Sweetish Hill The dried calyx is used as fuel in wood-fired stoves. Lagos and the coconut connection - The Guardian Nigeria News (2009). They include morphotaxa like Palmoxylon sundaran, Palmoxylon insignae, and Palmocarpon cocoides. More recently, genomic analysis of cultivated coconut (C.nucifera L.) has shed light on the movement. He consulted the catalogue Herbarium Amboinense by Georg Eberhard Rumphius where Rumphius said that coccus was a homonym of coccum and coccus from Greek kokkos meaning "grain"[41] or "berry", but Romans identified coccus with "kermes insects"; Rumphius preferred the word cocus as a replacement. Riung Wangi III No.53, Bandung, West Java. Sri Lanka is the world's fourth-largest producer of coconuts and is the second-largest producer of coconut oil and copra, accounting for 15% of the global production. The coconut is a versatile and valuable crop, with a range of uses that contribute to both local and global economies. [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. : B.arenosella, B.atriloqua (feeds exclusively on C.nucifera), B.mathesoni (feeds exclusively on C.nucifera), and B. They eventually form the edible solid endosperm (the "coconut meat" or "coconut flesh") which hardens over time. In the Philippines, the coconut is commonly called the "tree of life". These skilled, unpaid laborers can pick hundreds of coconuts daily. Coconut trunks are used for building small bridges and huts; they are preferred for their straightness, strength, and salt resistance. Gasa suggested, for lack of paper, delivering by dugout canoe a message inscribed on a husked coconut shell, reading Nauru Isl commander / native knows posit / he can pilot / 11 alive need small boat / Kennedy.[159] This coconut was later kept on the president's desk, and is now in the John F. Kennedy Library. [37][38] In the West it was originally called nux indica, a name used by Marco Polo in 1280 while in Sumatra. The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is a member of the palm tree family (Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus Cocos. Coconut water can be fermented to produce coconut vinegar. "Chapter 12 Coconut". Halved, drained coconuts can also be hung up as bird feeders, and after the flesh has gone, can be filled with fat in winter to attract tits. [165], Researchers from the Melbourne Museum in Australia observed the octopus species Amphioctopus marginatus use tools, specifically coconut shells, for defense and shelter. Palm wine is distilled to produce arrack. It is offered during worship to a Hindu god or goddess. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization reports the top producers are the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, and India. It is used for cooking various dishes. Coconut palms are believed to be largely cross-pollinated, although most dwarf varieties are self-pollinating. [101][102], Traditional areas of coconut cultivation in India are the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal and, Gujarat and the islands of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar. Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images. Some of the dwarf cultivars such as 'Malayan dwarf' have shown some promising resistance to lethal yellowing, while other cultivars such as 'Jamaican tall' are highly affected by the same plant disease. [49][50], Genetic studies of coconuts have also confirmed pre-Columbian populations of coconuts in Panama in South America. Production is based in Southern Asia, Central and South America, Oceania and southern Africa; Asia accounts for 84 percent. Other types of large trees produce a single downward-growing tap root with a number of feeder roots growing from it. The mesocarp is composed of a fiber, called coir, which has many traditional and commercial uses. [82][78][83] Other manual methods to make climbing easier include using a system of pulleys and ropes; using pieces of vine, rope, or cloth tied to both hands or feet; using spikes attached to the feet or legs; or attaching coconut husks to the trunk with ropes. The world coir production is 0.282 million tones. Self Magazine. The hard shells, fibrous husks and long pinnate leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decoration. Early Spanish explorers called it coco, meaning "monkey face." A cloudy white liquid, it has a particularly sharp, acidic taste with a slightly yeasty note.[149]. [52][53] Other evidence for a Central Indo-Pacific origin is the native range of the coconut crab; and the higher amounts of C. nucifera-specific insect pests in the region (90%) in comparison to the Americas (20%), and Africa (4%). [39] Thenga, its Tamil/Malayalam name, was used in the detailed description of coconut found in Itinerario by Ludovico di Varthema published in 1510 and also in the later Hortus Indicus Malabaricus. June 14, 2022; ushl assistant coach salary . World Economic Importance | SpringerLink Climbing is the most widespread, but it is also more dangerous and requires skilled workers. While there is a concentration of coconut plantations in the coastal regions of the country, it is also grown in the hinterlands where the agro-climatic requirements of coconut cultivation are met. In the Philippines, this alcoholic drink is called lambanog (historically also called vino de coco in Spanish) or "coconut vodka". Be notified when an answer is posted. However, they can be found in humid areas with low annual precipitation such as in Karachi, Pakistan, which receives only about 250mm (9+34in) of rainfall per year, but is consistently warm and humid. [85], In cooler climates (but not less than USDA Zone 9), a similar palm, the queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), is used in landscaping. Severe frost is usually fatal, although they have been known to recover from temperatures of 4C (25F). The husks of the coconut are a source of coir, a fiber used in the production of brushes, matting, and other products. After the first six to nine years, the coconut palm bears fruit, producing roughly 50 fruits per tree per year, up to 300. In 1987, a "coconut law" was signed by Governor Edwin Edwards exempting from insurance liability any decorated coconut "handed" from a Zulu float. It was first developed for commercial cultivation in the Philippines and is used widely in Philippine cuisine for desserts, drinks, and pastries. Coconut is an important food crop produced worldwide and is a palm family member. Updates? Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts. Saturated fat is associated with hypercholesterolemia high cholesterol , atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries , and heart disease. 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. [58], The extent of cultivation in the tropics is threatening a number of habitats, such as mangroves; an example of such damage to an ecoregion is in the Petenes mangroves of the Yucatn. Coconut withstands conditions considered marginal for many food crops and is a stabilizing factor in the farming systems of fragile environments. [164] The smell of coconuts comes from the 6-pentyloxan-2-one molecule, known as -decalactone in the food and fragrance industries. It increases bold circulation in the kidneys and cause profuse dieresis. [49], In contrast to the Pacific coconuts, Indo-Atlantic coconuts were largely spread by Arab and Persian traders into the East African coast. ", "Coconut anaphylaxis: Case report and review", "Guidance for Industry: A Food Labeling Guide (6. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI). Few plants are as versatile as the coconut. Chan, Edward and Craig R. Elevitch. Partially defatted edible coconut grating is an excellent product and used in bakery and confectionary. Several countries' economies are based on the coconut palm. THE COCONUT INDUSTRY REVOLUTIONISES - Guyana Chronicle 2) The Wet Meat or Kernel: The kernel or endospermis an important article of food being used in culinary purpose. [166][167][168] Amphioctopus marginatus is the first invertebrate known to be able to use tools.[167][169]. Based on these separate introductions, coconut populations can still be divided into Pacific coconuts and Indo-Atlantic coconuts, respectively. HE Moore Jr, NW Uhl. Every part of the palm is usable for human needs -- food, shelter and fiber. The endocarp is initially filled with a multinucleate liquid endosperm (the coconut water). 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). The coconut tree provides food, fuel, cosmetics, folk medicine and building materials, among many other uses.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. [73], The coconut palm is damaged by the larvae of many Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species which feed on it, including the African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) and Batrachedra spp. [145] They can also be processed to extract palm sugar. 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. Malauhog has a "solid" sound when tapped, while Malakanin and Malakatad produce a "hollow" sound. According to the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, the coconut and African oil palms have important roles in international trade as sources of vegetable oil and fat. and early germination on the palm (vivipary) was important. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Rich in fiber and MCTs, it may offer a number of benefits, including improved heart health, weight loss, and digestion. This article was most recently revised and updated by. Such an origin indicates that the coconuts were not introduced naturally, such as by sea currents. The white flesh of a coconut can be used in lots of different ways. As development continues, cellular layers of endosperm deposit along the walls of the endocarp up to 11mm (38in) thick, starting at the distal end. As of 2006, the U.S. annually imported 190 million pounds of coconut oil, whose worldwide trade reached $20 million. Most less-developed countries depend on agriculture as a major source of income and employment. Its development would . [49][11][65][64], Another ancestral variety is the niu leka of Polynesia (sometimes called the "Compact Dwarfs"). The word Narali is derived from naral implying "coconut" in Marathi. The green of the leaves (lamina) is stripped away, leaving the veins (long, thin, woodlike strips) which are tied together to form a broom or brush. Trees grow up to 30 metres (100 feet) tall and can yield up to 75 fruits per year, though fewer than 30 is more typical. Perianth Tepals 6 arranged in two whorls of three each, persistent and polyphyllous showing valvate aestivation in both the whorls. Easily kills parasites and helps remove them from body. Coconut flesh is high in fat and can be dried or eaten fresh or processed into coconut milk or coconut oil. In Kerala, coconut trunks are used for house construction. As part of the activities, there was a two-day conference aimed at re-educating Guyanese about the diverse benefits of the coconut fruit focusing on its economic diversification and multipurpose use, while heightening awareness and boosting the local Agro-tourism sector. Coconut oil has high world demand as an ingredient in cosmetics, soaps, hair oils, body oils and in food products and has surged in popularity because of its health benefits. Lately, civil wars and crop failures have driven up the EU Rotterdam coconut oil price, which has doubled during 2010-2011, nearing $2,000 per tonne, according to the UK Grocer. [57] If they were naturally distributed and had been in the Pacific for a thousand years or so, then we would expect the eastern shore of Australia, with its own islands sheltered by the Great Barrier Reef, to have been thick with coconut palms: the currents were directly into, and down along this coast. Theyre mostly green until they fully mature. typica) and "Dwarf" (var. On the eve of Choti Holi . Inflorescence : Large, lateral arising from the axils of leaves, compound spadix, enclosed by large woody bract called spathe. The main coconut-producing area in the Middle East is the Dhofar region of Oman, but they can be grown all along the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and Red Sea coasts, because these seas are tropical and provide enough humidity (through seawater evaporation) for coconut trees to grow. A hard shell encloses the embryo with its abundant endosperm, composed of both meat and liquid. The exocarp is the glossy outer skin, usually yellow-green to yellow-brown in color. [25] The female flower is much larger than the male flower. It supplies food, drink and shelter and also supplies raw material to number of industries intimately connected with domestic as well as economic life. The dry husk yields coir, a fibre highly resistant to salt water and used in the manufacture of ropes, mats, baskets, brushes, and brooms. And no coconut can float over the sea faster than a balsa raft moves with the wind behind it. Copra is the dried meat of the seed and after processing produces coconut oil and coconut meal. The fats in the coconut minimize the pores that attract dirt and bacteria and prevent skin from getting damaged. It is a tree that is cultivated for its multiple utilities, mainly for its nutritional and medicinal values. In the United States, coconut palms can be grown and reproduced outdoors without irrigation in Hawaii, southern and central Florida,[110] and the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. What's the economic importance of Makapuno coconut Coconut milk contains 5% to 20% fat, while coconut cream contains around 20% to 50% fat. Coconuts are commonly grown around the northern coast of Australia, and in some warmer parts of New South Wales. Economic welfare can be evaluated through consumer surplus and producer surplus. These are grown for recreational purposes or as an income generator. The origin of dwarf varieties is Southeast Asia, which contain the tall cultivars that are genetically closest to dwarf coconuts. See also Can Raw Coconut Cause Stomach Pain? Early Spanish explorers called it coco, meaning "monkey face." Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is the sole species of the genus Cocos belonging to the subfamily Cocoideae which includes 27 genera and 600 species.It is a diploid with 32 chromosomes (2n=32), guma', Therefore, as well as dwarf cultivars, Slightly nutty odor, tender coconut, coconut oil and processed . However, it is not native and displays a genetic bottleneck resulting from a founder effect. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Therefore, eating coconuts regularly reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis. What Are the Major Regions of Manufacturing Lisa Smith has been an editor and writer since 1991. 3rd Floor, St Patricks Complex, Brigade Road, [178] In Maldivian folklore, one of the main myths of origin reflects the dependence of the Maldivians on the coconut tree. In Kerala, India, the main coconut pests are the coconut mite, the rhinoceros beetle, the red palm weevil, and the coconut leaf caterpillar. Wild coconuts are naturally restricted to coastal areas in sandy, saline soils. [98][99][100], Two important coconut products were first developed in the Philippines, macapuno and nata de coco. As of 2006, the U. Coconut is a crop of small and marginal farmers since 98% of about five million coconut holdings in the country are less than two hectares. It forms the basis of wedding and worship rituals in Hinduism. In 2020, world production of coconuts was 62 million tonnes, led by Indonesia, India, and the Philippines, with 75% combined of the total (table). Coconut Prices Set to Soar Amid Civil War and Crop Failures; R Ford; The Grocer; April 8, 2011. The coconut's obscure origin in foreign lands led to the notion of using cups made from the shell to neutralise poisoned drinks. As of 2006, the U.S. annually imported 190 million pounds of coconut oil, whose worldwide trade reached $20 million. Because the nuts can fall from a height of 30 yards, in Southern Asia and Australia, monkeys (e.g., Malaya macaques) are trained to harvest them. In fact, the toning property of coconut helps in preventing acne by minimizing the pores of the skin, leaving it glowing. Coconut | Description, Uses, & Facts | Britannica