Coconut is a plant that has many benefits. All parts of this plant can be used, such as the many coconut products from Indonesia. Coconut is one of the plants that has emerged from prehistoric times. The oldest coconut fossils alone were recorded around 37-55 years ago. In some areas such as Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, coconut has been cultivating since 1000 BC. In Nagara-Kertagama (1365), it is stated that there are various types of drink menus for parties, one of which is palm wine.
All parts of the coconut can be used for anything. Therefore, there are many in the market ranging from traditional markets to supermarkets for processed coconut products. Indonesia as a country producing coconut products has various types of coconut products from Indonesia and Indonesia’s coconut exports are also high.
For example, Indonesian coconut sugar has a high market demand in the UK and transactions can reach 2.35 million US dollars. Then, there is coconut charcoal which is used as fuel for shisha or Middle Eastern cigarettes. Coconut flour is also a commodity that is in demand in Russia.
Fun Facts About Coconut
Coconut as a fruit and plant that has many benefits, also has some fun facts. Here are some fun facts about coconut.
- Cocos nucifera
Coconut tree has the Latin name Cocos nucifera, Coco means “monkey face” because the three indentations in the shell resemble the face of a monkey and nucifera which means like a nut.
- Many coconut trees are found along the equator
Coconut trees really need sunlight for growth, besides coconut trees also grow well in the lowlands. Therefore, Indonesia is a region where coconut trees can grow well.
- The coconut tree is called the tree of life
Almost all components contained in coconut trees can be used for human life. Coconut has a myriad of benefits that can be used by humans starting from the fruit which is rich in nutrients and the roots have many benefits that can be consumed.
The leaves are used as material for making many crafts such as bags and baskets, while the leaves are used as broom sticks. Coconut trunks can be formed into furniture and can also be used as a basic material for building houses. Because of the many benefits of this tree, coconut is dubbed the tree of life.
- Infusion fluid
Coconut water contains a lot of sugar, salt, protein, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and dietary fiber. Because of the content of these substances, coconut water can also be used as a substitute for intravenous fluids. Even during World War II, coconut water was used as a blood transfusion.
- Coconut sugar
Coconut products from Indonesia are the most in demand, one of which is coconut sugar. Usually used as a substitute for cane sugar in cakes. Coconut sugar has a lower GI than granulated sugar. However, the kcal content is equivalent per gram. This is a healthy alternative to sugar. However, coconut sugar is energy-dense, so it is better to use it in certain foods.
- Coconut fruit is the seed of the coconut tree
Coconut fruit is an angiosperm plant (seeds covered) and a type of monocot (single seed). The coconut seed itself is covered by three layers, namely the skin, the fibers in the coconut fruit, and the shell. Therefore, the coconut fruit is actually the seed of the coconut plant itself and can be likened to nuts. This is what makes coconuts called the largest seeds in the world.
- Coconut can kill
Many cases of death that occur as a result of coconut. For a coconut farmer who climbs a coconut tree, if he falls, the towering coconut tree poses a fatal risk for the person who climbs it. In addition, if a fruit with a heavy weight hits the head, it is unlikely to survive. Another fact states that falling coconuts kill 150 people every year. That number is ten times more than the people killed by sharks.
So that can be conveyed a little about the facts about coconut ranging from the meaning of its name to the many benefits of coconut that make Indonesia have many coconut products from Indonesia which are used as export products.