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. The shells of the coconut can also be used to create charcoal, which has a variety of industrial and domestic uses. Coconut palms yield roughly 20 percent of the market's oils and fats, Just Change Trust estimates. The coconut palm is one of the most beautiful and useful trees in the world, grown in more than 80 countries of the tropical. Economic Role Coconut palms yield roughly 20 percent of the market's oils and fats, Just Change Trust estimates. The exocarp is the glossy outer skin, usually yellow-green to yellow-brown in color. Palm. Miami is the only city outside of Greenwich, Connecticut, where the organization hosts an event. Perera, Lalith, Suriya A.C.N. 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]. [14][15], The interior of the endocarp is hollow and is lined with a thin brown seed coat around 0.2mm (164in) thick. Copyright 2023 Cocoanesia. Predominantly, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, . Frison, E.A. 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. 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. [79][80][81], To avoid this, coconuts workers in the Philippines and Guam traditionally use bolos tied with a rope to the waist to cut grooves at regular intervals on the coconut trunks. Moisturize properly after washing your face. Coconut Research Center. Encyclopaedia Brittanica online. The Makapuno (phenomenon) coconut is recognized to be due to the absence of two enzymes in the nut that are responsible in the degradation of the galactomannan in the solid endosperm so that it remains soft and this has become the characteristic of the nut. [18][19][20], A full-sized coconut fruit weighs about 1.4 kilograms (3pounds 1ounce). It can be reduced further to yield coconut sugar also referred to as palm sugar or jaggery. The sap derived from incising the flower clusters of the coconut is drunk as toddy, also known as tub in the Philippines (both fermented and fresh), tuak (Indonesia and Malaysia), karewe (fresh and not fermented, collected twice a day, for breakfast and dinner) in Kiribati, and neera in South Asia. [158], In World War II, coastwatcher scout Biuku Gasa was the first of two from the Solomon Islands to reach the shipwrecked and wounded crew of Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109 commanded by future U.S. president John F. Kennedy. 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. 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 UN Food and Agriculture Organization reports the top producers are the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, and India. 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. It is further strengthened by other similar botanical evidence of contact, like the pre-colonial presence of sweet potato in Oceanian cultures. However, the word cocus could also mean "cook" like coquus in Latin,[42] so Linnaeus chose Cocos directly from the Portuguese word coco instead. [166][167][168] Amphioctopus marginatus is the first invertebrate known to be able to use tools.[167][169]. Scientific studies have found it effective for treating enlarged prostate and improving serum cholesterol. The day is recognized as the beginning of the joyful, colourful Holi celebrations and is seen as a symbolic triumph of good over evil. [98][99][100], Two important coconut products were first developed in the Philippines, macapuno and nata de coco. These are grown for recreational purposes or as an income generator. Few plants are as versatile as the coconut. Nutrition Facts: Vegetable Oil, Coconut. The tender coconutis witnessing a surge in sales in the country. The coconut is a versatile and valuable crop, with a range of uses that contribute to both local and global economies. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Female flower Bracteate, ebracteolate, sessile, pistillate, incomplete, trimerous, actinomorphic and hypogynous. "Effects of coconut oil on testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in Sprague-Dawley rats". [77], Coconut has a number of commercial and traditional cultivars. [6] On fertile soil, a tall coconut palm tree can yield up to 75 fruits per year, but more often yields less than 30. They played a critical role in the long sea voyages of Austronesians by providing a portable source of food and water, as well as providing building materials for Austronesian outrigger boats. [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. [101], Coconut flour has also been developed for use in baking, to combat malnutrition. Very very educational many thanx for your elaborate description.Raheem, Your email address will not be published. However, several states like Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh have emerged as non-traditional areas for the cultivation of coconut. Aids in hydration. Wild coconuts feature an elongated triangular fruit with a thicker husk and a smaller amount of endosperm. Tempurung, as the shell is called in the Malay language, can be used as a soup bowl and if fixed with a handle a ladle. However, the locations of the admixture events are limited to Madagascar and coastal east Africa, and exclude the Seychelles. Coconut oil is one of nine internationally traded vegetable oils and ranks eighth in global production. A hard shell encloses the insignificant embryo with its abundant endosperm, composed of both meat and liquid. Fishermen give an offering of coconut to the sea to celebrate the beginning of a new fishing season. [70], Given that coconuts are ideally suited for inter-island group ocean dispersal, obviously some natural distribution did take place. Every part of the palm is usable for human needs -- food, shelter and fiber. Despite the economic importance of the palm, coconut production continued to show stagnancy in production, productivity, and trade in the recent decade (Sairam and Jayasekhar 2018). [48][49][50][51] The similarities of the local names in the Austronesian region is also cited as evidence that the plant originated in the region. Omani people needed the coir rope from the coconut fiber to stitch together their traditional seagoing dhow vessels in which nails were never used. In large amounts, coconut water might cause potassium levels in the blood to become too high. The hard shells, fibrous husks and long pinnate leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decoration. Coconuts could not reach inland locations without human intervention (to carry seednuts, plant seedlings, etc.) [164] The smell of coconuts comes from the 6-pentyloxan-2-one molecule, known as -decalactone in the food and fragrance industries. Demand grew by 8 percent annually during 1993 to 2004. Sri Lanka established its Coconut Development Authority and Coconut Cultivation Board and Coconut Research Institute in the early British Ceylon period.[109]. nana) varieties. For other uses, see, "Grated coconut" redirects here. Coconut palms grow in the wet tropical and subtropical coastal Indian and Pacific ocean regions. The liquid of the nut, known as coconut water, is used in beverages. In the west coast of India, the palm is an essential component in the homestead system of farming. Lately, civil wars and crop failures have driven up the EU Rotterdam coconut oil price, which has doubled during 2010-2011, nearing $2,000 per tonne, according to the UK Grocer. Coconuts are distinct from other fruits because their endosperm contains a large quantity of clear liquid, called coconut water or coconut juice. Coconut palms are cultivated north of south Florida to roughly Cocoa Beach on the East Coast and Clearwater on the West Coast. Coconut is the environment friendly small-holder palm of the tropical environment, Covering 12.28 million hectares in 90 countries with an annual production of 64.3 billion nuts, Coconut provides USD$ 7.73 Billion per annum to global coconut small holders. [147][148], Coconut vinegar, made from fermented coconut water or sap, is used extensively in Southeast Asian cuisine (notably the Philippines, where it is known as sukang tuba), as well as in some cuisines of India and Sri Lanka, especially Goan cuisine. [182] The earliest direct description is given by Cosmas Indicopleustes in his Topographia Christiana written around 545, referred to as "the great nut of India". Its development would . What's Funny About The Business Of Monkeys Picking Coconuts? The coconut palm is an important crop in many tropical countries, providing food products and raw materials for industries (Jones, 1991). According to the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, the coconut and African oil palms have important roles in international trade as sources of vegetable oil and fat. Coconut is an important tree crop with diverse end-users and employment generation potentials. Wild coconuts are naturally restricted to coastal areas in sandy, saline soils. The tender nut supplies coconut water, a popular thirst quencher of health and hygienic value. [132] Coconut milk can be diluted to create coconut milk beverages. [102], Coconut milk, not to be confused with coconut water, is obtained by pressing the grated coconut meat, usually with hot water added which extracts the coconut oil, proteins, and aromatic compounds. Coconut palms are hard to establish in dry climates, and cannot grow there without frequent irrigation; in drought conditions, the new leaves do not open well, and older leaves may become desiccated; fruit also tends to be shed. The coconut is also a popular ingredient in many types of cuisine, including Southeast Asian, South Asian, and Caribbean dishes. The Coconut Palm Cocos Nucifera L. See also Can You Drink Malibu If You'Re Allergic To Coconut? [178] In Maldivian folklore, one of the main myths of origin reflects the dependence of the Maldivians on the coconut tree. The Coconut Research Center describes the nut as rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals with oil comprising mainly medium-chain fatty acids. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Coconuts are high in fiber, which helps bulk up your stool and supports bowel regularity, keeping your digestive system healthy ( 6 , 17 ). The coconut industry is an important pillar of Philippine agriculture. Dried coconut flesh is called copra, and the oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking frying in particular as well as in soaps and cosmetics. HE Moore Jr, NW Uhl. It is eaten as is or used as an ingredient in various dishes. [183] Another early mention of the coconut dates back to the "One Thousand and One Nights" story of Sinbad the Sailor wherein he bought and sold a coconut during his fifth voyage. [20], The evolutionary history and fossil distribution of Cocos nucifera and other members of the tribe Cocoseae is more ambiguous than modern-day dispersal and distribution, with its ultimate origin and pre-human dispersal still unclear. More recently, genomic analysis of cultivated coconut (C.nucifera L.) has shed light on the movement. [96] A sprouting coconut seed is the logo for Gerakan Pramuka Indonesia, the Indonesian scouting organization. [58] Coconuts also need high humidity (at least 7080%) for optimum growth, which is why they are rarely seen in areas with low humidity. Economics of Coconut Oil; Just Change Trust; 2006; Bangalore, India. She has worked in some of the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. 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. The process of husk extraction from the coir bypasses the retting process, using a custom-built coconut husk extractor designed by ASEANCanada Forest Tree Seed Centre in 1986. However, they can be eaten anytime after seven months (1, 2). Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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. [13] Like other fruits, it has three layers: the exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp. [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]. Medium chain fats have also been known to help in weight loss and reduce waist circumference. Coconut palms grow in the wet tropical and subtropical coastal Indian and Pacific ocean regions. (2006). 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. 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Coconut oil is also considered good for hair. The coir is used to make brooms in Cambodia.[158]. Coconuts can only be grown in temperatures above 18C (64F) and need a daily temperature above 22C (72F) to produce fruit. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI). The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is a member of the palm tree family (Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus Cocos. Saturated fats can easily filter and re-circulate molecules to facilitate absorption by liver. Partially defatted edible coconut grating is an excellent product and used in bakery and confectionary. The fruit may also be damaged by eriophyid coconut mites (Eriophyes guerreronis). The length of the coconut tree is also considerable. In some coconut growing countries, the coconut is the main or only source of foreign exchange earnings. Cocos-like fossils of fruits include "Cocos" intertrappeansis, "Cocos" pantii, and "Cocos" sahnii. 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. [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. They need annual rainfall of at least 120cm, temperatures from 70 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit and sandy, slightly acidic soil with good drainage. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts. The coconut is also an important economic resource for the production of fiber and other materials. 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. Scientific studies have found it effective for treating enlarged prostate and improving serum cholesterol. Macapuno is a coconut variety with a jelly-like coconut meat. [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]. Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images. Coconut oil, aside from being used in cooking as an ingredient and for frying, is used in soaps, cosmetics, hair oil, and massage oil. In fact, the toning property of coconut helps in preventing acne by minimizing the pores of the skin, leaving it glowing. [85], In cooler climates (but not less than USDA Zone 9), a similar palm, the queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), is used in landscaping. 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. These skilled, unpaid laborers can pick hundreds of coconuts daily. It is known as a bunot in the Philippines and simply a "coconut brush" in Jamaica. The fruit is adapted for ocean dispersal. [18][19][20] [43], The specific name nucifera is derived from the Latin words nux (nut) and fera (bearing), for 'nut-bearing'. Coconuts are commonly grown around the northern coast of Australia, and in some warmer parts of New South Wales. . [58] They may grow but not fruit properly in areas with insufficient warmth, such as Bermuda. It is dried out disintegrated coconut meat. Flowering occurs continuously. Since then, numerous other fossils of similar fruits were recovered throughout New Zealand from the Eocene, Oligocene, and possibly the Holocene. Although it shares similar characteristics to dwarf coconuts (including slow growth), it is genetically distinct and is thus believed to be independently domesticated, likely in Tonga. Harvesting and Yield in Lucerne Cultivation, Important Problems of Coconut Cultivation, Farming Systems & Sustainable Agriculture, Breeding of Field and Horticultural Crops agriculture information, Fundamentals to Entomology agriculture information, Production Techniques for Biological Control Agents, Practicals on Technology of Milk & Milk Products agriculture information, Economics of Natural Resources & Farm Management agriculture information. [26][27][31], Outside of New Zealand and India, only two other regions have reported Cocos-like fossils, namely Australia and Colombia. Phylogenetic evidence supports the closest relatives of Cocos being either Syagrus or Attalea, both of which are found in South America. Over the course of evolutionary time-scales the shifting atolls would have shortened the paths of colonization, meaning that any one coconut would not have to travel very far to find new land. Traditional areas of coconut in India are the states of Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Goa, West Bengal, Pondicherry, Maharashtra and Islands of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar. 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. Mature coconuts are ovoid or ellipsoid in shape, 3045 cm (1218 inches) in length and 1520 cm (68 inches) in diameter. The coconut industry also generates employment and supports local businesses, contributing to the overall economic development of these communities. [154] Activated carbon manufactured from coconut shell is considered extremely effective for the removal of impurities. [175], The coconut is also used as a target and prize in the traditional British fairground game coconut shy. It is also used as a natural moisturizer, especially for winter. 37(9):830-5, 2004. [177], Some South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Ocean cultures have origin myths in which the coconut plays the main role. A coconut (Sanskrit: narikela) is an essential element of rituals in Hindu tradition. The terminology is derived from the Tagalog language. Coconut water can be drunk fresh or used in cooking as in binakol. 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. : B.arenosella, B.atriloqua (feeds exclusively on C.nucifera), B.mathesoni (feeds exclusively on C.nucifera), and B. [125] These can be toasted or baked to make bacon-like fixings. As of 2006, the U.S. annually imported 190 million pounds of coconut oil, whose worldwide trade reached $20 million. Coir Developments Much of coir production is done by small holders meaning production is scattered and at small volumes. Elzebroek, A.T.G. Rajamohan T. Clinical Biochemistry. Whether you are starting your first company or you are a dedicated entrepreneur diving into a new venture, Bizfluent is here to equip you with the tactics, tools and information to establish and run your ventures. It allows toxins to be thrown out of stomach. In 1987, a "coconut law" was signed by Governor Edwin Edwards exempting from insurance liability any decorated coconut "handed" from a Zulu float. The socio-economic importance of coconut sector in Jamaica Although agriculture's contribution to Jamaica's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has steadily declined over the past two decades (and in 2009 stood at 5.2%), this sector absorbs 20% of the country's employed labour force. [25] The female flower is much larger than the male flower. Many of the smallest coral islands in the Florida Keys are known to have abundant coconut palms sprouting from coconuts that have drifted or been deposited by ocean currents. On many islands, coconut is a staple in the diet. nuciferae. [67] This figure has been questioned based on the extremely small sample size that forms the basis of the paper that makes this claim. [citation needed] They are also used in Hindu weddings as a symbol of prosperity. Riung Wangi III No.53, Bandung, West Java. 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. [111], Coconut oil is increasingly used in the food industry. and early germination on the palm (vivipary) was important. China is the largest producer of watermelon, Brazil of oranges, Italy of grapes and India of bananas. A single coconut palm may yield 100 coconuts annually, and each fruit requires a year to fully ripen. Early Spanish explorers called it coco, meaning "monkey face." Due to the performance of coconut in the economy as the major source of income, it is considered as a predictor of the general economic activity of the country. Fruit growing, on the other hand, is perennial in nature, allowing the grower to remain engaged in farm operations throughout the year and to make full use of farm resources and assets, such as machinery, land, and water, for production purposes throughout the year. Every day, thousands of coconuts are broken, and some devotees break as many as 108 coconuts at a time as per the prayer. 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. The cups were frequently engraved and decorated with precious metals.[155]. [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. 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. Neera has a low glycemic count at 35 compared to cane sugar or sugarcane juice that has a glycemic count of 80. Apical buds of adult plants are edible, and are known as "palm cabbage" or heart of palm. de Lourdes Arruzazabala, M.; Molina, V.; Ms, R.; Carbajal, D.; Marrero, D.; Gonzlez, V.; Rodrguez, E. (2007). Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. According to the Encyclopaedia Brittanica, the coconut and African oil palms have important roles in international trade as sources of vegetable oil and fat.