Coconut is well known all over the world as a fruit. It is one of the most important trees in the world and is often referred to as the “tree of life”. And it is used by people as food, fuel, cosmetics, herbal medicine supplies, building materials and has many more uses. Also the inner flesh of its mature seeds, as well as the coconut milk extracted from it; It is a regular part of the diet of many people in the tropics and subtropics.
Coconut is different from other fruits. This is because its endosperm contains a large amount of clear liquid called coconut water or coconut juice or coconut water. And ripe coconut can be used as edible. Because of the oil processed from the flesh and milk inside its seeds; Coal is made from hard shell, and cocopit is made from husk.
Its hard exterior, husks and long leaves are used as materials for making various things and decorations. The oil and milk obtained from it are commonly used in cooking- especially in frying; Soaps and cosmetics are also made.
Etymology
The name coconut comes from the sixteenth-century Portuguese word cocoa. It means ‘head’ or ‘skull.’ Cocoa or coconut shell was used by Marco Polo in 1260 while Cocoa was in Sumatra. He borrowed the word from the Arabs, who translated it as ‘Indian Almond’ and called it Jawz Hind. Its Malayalam name is Thanga.
History Literary evidence from the Ramayana and the history of Sri Lanka indicates that coconut was present in the Indian subcontinent before the first century BC. The earliest direct description is given by Cotton Indicopolsets in his topography Cristiana around 555, referring to the coconut as “the great almond of India.” Another early mention of the coconut is in the famous Sindabad of the Arabian Nights, where he bought and sold a coconut during his fifth voyage.
In March 1521, Antonio Pigafeta gave an account of the coconut using the Italian word “cocho” / “cochi”, which was recorded in his journal after the first European crossing of the Pacific Ocean during the Magellan filtration and after its meeting. He explained how in Guam “they ate coconuts” and the locals “anointed the body and hair with coconut and its oil”.
Coconut Tree
Cocos nucifera consists of large palms, 30 m (100 ft) long, leaves 4-6 m (13-20 ft) long; The old leaves are clearly torn, the stem is smooth. In fertile land, a tall coconut tree bears 75 fruits per year, but often less than 30 fruits. With proper care and attention, coconut produces its first fruit in six to ten years, taking 15 to 20 years to reach the top.
Coconut
There are different varieties of coconut. These are distinguished by the taste of coconut water and the color of the fruit, as well as other genetic factors. Dwarf varieties are also available. Like other fruits, it has three layers: exocorp, mesocarp and endocarp. Exocorp and Mesocarp produce “buds” of coconuts.
The endosperm is initially suspended in coconut water in its early stages. As development continues, cellular layers of endosperm accumulate along the walls of the coconut and the edible coconut becomes “flesh”.
Mesocarp consists of a fiber known as coir, which has common and commercial uses. The shell has three holes (micropiles) or “eyes” which are clearly visible on the outer surface after the husk is removed. A full-grown coconut weighs about 1.4 kg (3.1 lb). It takes about 6,000 full grown coconuts to make one ton of copra.
Use Of Coconut
The hard shell of the coconut is milky white and quite tasty. Its shells are used in making different types of cakes, sweets, biscuits, chocolates and various dishes. Vegetable oils made from dried coconut shells are used in cooking, soaps, shampoos and other cosmetics in addition to being used on the scalp. Abandoned khail is used as fodder after oil extraction.
Coconut husks can be used to make hard ropes, brushes, rugs and rugs. Hunko is made from coconut shell. Raw and dried leaves are used to make mats and baskets and to shade huts. The broom can be made with the middle veins of the leaves. The young coconut is called dab; Coconut water is delicious and nutritious. Dab is also used as one of the means of cell culture. Tree trunks are used to make house terraces, pool poles, house poles and spear handles. In the central and southern parts of Bangladesh, this tree is widely planted as a home tree for fruits and other purposes.
Conclusion
In our country, this coconut tree can be seen a lot next to the houses. People eat coconut for their own needs and also sell it outside. Coconut water is very useful to us. Drinking coconut water has many benefits for our body. So it is very important for us to know the details about it.
