The coconut tree is a member of the palm tree family. Coconut as a term can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which botanically is a drupe, not a nut. If you are wondering what else is a drupe look no further than an avocado. The word coconut is derived from the 16th-century Portuguese and Spanish word coco, meaning ‘head’ or ‘skull’ after the three indentations on the coconut shell that resemble facial features. I may have noticed this image before but it is kind of spooky. Let’s move on, shall we?
From shredded coconut to coconut oil, to coconut water and milk, coconuts have a variety of uses. Coconut milk comes from the grated ‘meat’ of a fully mature coconut. It is an excellent source of valuable B vitamins, vitamins C and E, along with plenty of minerals including phosphorus, copper, iron, selenium, calcium, manganese, and magnesium. It also contains lauric acid, which is used in the body for natural energy.
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Now it’s time to hit the ‘Listen on WLRN’ button at the top to hear the remainder of my show. ‘A Word On Food’ airs on WLRN every Saturday around 8:30 a.m. at 91.3 and also 91.5 on the radio. I want to thank so many of you who tell me in person how much you are enjoying the show!