In supermarkets, restaurants, beauty shops and cosmetic counters, Coconut is included in a product or a meal.
My experience with coconuts is organic. They were five coconut trees in the yard of my childhood home. I know it is also referred to as coconut palms.
As such, we consume coconuts in various forms and never consider their nutritional value. .https://thinkingandlivingboldly.com/for-the-love-of-food/
There are many uses for the whole coconut. Let’s take a look:-
- The Husk
- The Shell
- The Flesh
- The Water
In its dried state, Husk is used as a fire source. It is great for outdoor cooking and a welcome ingredient for a bonfire.
The smoke of the burning husk is used as a mosquito deterrent.
The husk is also very useful in the arts and craft industry. As part of the costumes for dolls, woven mats and coasters.
Shell: dried is also a source to start a fire. On a commercial scale, the dried shell will be fashioned into jewellery, ashtrays, souvenirs and wall decorations.
Flesh: this is the essential part of the Nut. In every household, in any given week, there will be the usage of Coconut oil, Cook-up- Rice or sugar cake.
It is also grated and used in baked goods, such as tarts, and my favourite is Salara.
Milk extracted from the grated flesh is one of the two main ingredients for Cook-up Rice.
Also, the milk can be processed further to make coconut oil. This process takes time but is worth the effort.
We will use the oil in our hairdressing, as oil for our skin and in our cooking.
Also, as a base, for anything, oil is needed.
The sweet aroma of freshly made Coconut oil is something to experience and enjoy.
Well! The best part is the grated flesh, mixed with brown sugar and orange peel, constantly stirred over medium heat, resulting in a warm, chewy caramel colour treat named- Sugar Cake.
There are variations to this Treat; brown or white sugar, the flesh, grated fine or cut in chips, orange peel or ginger.
Whatever your preference is, it’s okay. Sugar cake was a regular part of childhood. It was sold as a snack and a sweet treat.
Water was always short in supply, never enough to pass around. Most adults had coconut water. It is used to dilute alcohol at parties.
I observed that coconut water( as it knows to me) is called ‘coconut milk’ in online publications. It is the liquid found in the centre of the Nut.
About 15 years ago, during my yearly Doctor’s visit, I saw a pamphlet promoting the health benefits of this nut.
It piqued my interest and made me wonder, “Why did I never think of the nutritional value before.”
My research led to a greater appreciation of my childhood diet. It further explained the healthy condition of my hair and skin.
It was my foundation that I believe is critical to my health today.
What interested me was that the food I consumed as a child was highly recommended by health magazines.
It was food to be eaten; that was all it was. In retrospect, we were consuming healthy foods.
I’m not a strong supporter of the products found on supermarket shelves. I don’t have any information to dispute the information on the labels.
I observed how everything was so refined that the oil no longer had its nutty scent. Is coconut a fruit or a nut? It does not matter; either way, it is delicious.
But, as much as possible, I will continue to add more of this childhood favourite to my diet. Also, explore the additional ways of enjoying it.
https://amzn.to/2FkEtRn
My decision is further encouraged after reading an article by Anne Danahy, MS, RDN, on www.healthline.com
