The Coconut

The coconut, an embodiment of each and every one of us; hard on the outside, soft and tender on the inside. The coconut is an integral part of countless cuisines, as well as a symbol to many cultures. By the means of evolution, trade, and pure appearance, the coconut has created deep roots, never to unturn. Often referred to as the “Tree of Life’ due to its versatility, the coconut palm has travelled long and far, becoming one of the most recognizable fruits on earth.

Origin

It has been long debated where the coconut palm actually originated. Due to its migratory characteristics, the coconut has been found in many early civilizations. By recent genetic studies, researchers have been able to pinpoint the origin of the coconut to Southeast Asia/Melanesia. It is here that the coconut palm has the largest genetic diversity, meaning the longer the plant has had to evolve the more variants of the plant would be found. To put in perspective on how old the coconut exactly is, fossilized traces of the coconut were found in New Zealand dating back to more than 15 million years ago. We can give thanks to the Austronesian people, who distributed the coconut by voyages across and around the pacific. It is evident that the coconut migratory pattern corresponds to the regions settled by Austronesian voyagers indicating that its spread was largely the result of human introductions.

The Austronesian voyagers could have travelled as far as South America long before European settlers, where a similar genetic type of coconut palm as seen in Southeast Asia has been found. This coconut palm is not native to South American soil, only furthering the theory on what great lengths the Austronesian people went to trade and explore. There is another interesting theory surrounding the coconut and how it has migrated from continent to continent and that is of oceanic currents. The fruit, being light and buoyant, is said to have possibly found its own course across the globe, with the help of marine currents. There are records to prove this theory, as posed by Norwegian settlers, saying they have harvested a plant with a similar description to the coconut palm. It is unsure whether the coconut was able to survive in the harsh climates of the northern hemisphere, but depictions of the coconut in nordic texts say otherwise.

Where it grows

Today the coconut thrives in climates similar to its origin. In order for the coconut to reach maturity, it must have at least 15-20 years in a warm and wet climate. Unlike other plants, the coconut is self-sufficient and can sustain winds up to 75 mph and coastal degradation. In homage to the coconut palm’s resilience, the seed (the coconut fruit) is nothing short of durable. With a seed as thick and large as the coconut, there is no question how this fruit has survived so long without much change. If you ever find yourself down in the Bahamas, coconut palms have no shame taking root wherever they can. Just be aware, the myth of coconuts falling and bonking people in the head is true, so always be sure to look up!

A Coconut’s Purpose

It is important to emphasize the many medical benefits and health properties the coconut provides. The utility of the coconut is not a modern discovery, for centuries, cultures have used the leaves from the coconut tree to make baskets, the water and milk to drink, the meat to eat, and the shells as utensils, bowls and musical instruments. Coconuts' versatility is sometimes noted in its naming (refer to the aforementioned “Tree of Life’); every part of the coconut has aided humans through times of uncertainty, joy, and change. The coconuts of today stand on the shoulders of the coconuts of the past. Sadly, large corporations capitalized on industrializing coconuts and with that the basic values and benefits from the coconut dissipated. We are here to educate, not only on the historical significance of the coconut, but to encourage you to go out and start to crack the truth open.

In honor of the coconut, here is an at home recipe to make your own coconut oil!

Benefits:

• Moisturizing

• High fat content

• Substitute for animal fats

• Sustainable

• Affordable

• Stain remover

Steps to Follow:

1. Coconut oil is prepared from coconut milk so the first thing to do is to get this milk. To do this, we need to remove the coconut water without breaking the coconut. Drill three holes into the coconut, pour the water into a container and save it (or drink it!).

2. Then, split the coconut in half, scoop out the flesh and grate it. Wrap it in a thin cotton cloth or use a cloth strainer and squeeze it to get out the most possible milk. Place a container underneath to collect the milk.

3. When you've squeezed the milk from the flesh, add the coconut water to hydrate it, wait a while for it to absorb and squeeze it out again. When the flesh is completely dehydrated, you can save it and use it for cooking, for example.

4. Now we have coconut milk and we can begin to make homemade coconut oil. Place the milk in a pan or saucepan and bring to a simmer.

5. The heat will cause the water to evaporate and the milk to thicken. Gradually, the coconut milk will start to granulate and the oil will separate. When the milk proteins are completely separated from the oil you must filter it. With a strainer, pour the coconut milk through to extract the oil.

6. To solidify the coconut oil you just have to leave it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours. If you are not going to use coconut oil right away, you can add a few drops of vitamin E so that it stays in perfect condition for longer.