Hug This Tree: Coconut Tree
June 4, 2008 by Jennifer
Since it’s June, I figured I’d choose something tropical. Especially since it’s pouring here in Washington. The sun came out a bit today, but mostly it’s been gray. Not that I mind, but hey, it is summer, so tropical will do.
The best site by far about the coconut tree, or palm, as it’s more technically known, that I’ve found is the Dr. T. Ombrello – UCC Biology Department page. I don’t even like coconuts and I found the site fascinating. It’s actually more a page, than a full site, but all the little facts about this palm are really cool. Plus there’s the most adorable little baby palm picture there.
While I like baby palms, I’m not so much a fan of big ones. This might be a tree I won’t hug. I’m not very tropical, and see below for my coconut rant. But if you like palms, this is a nice tall one:
Coconuts:
They look good at a distance, at sunset:
Coconut palms can reach up to 80 ft in height, with one tree producing 50 fruit according to Purdue University. That’s one heavy tree. Of course people use coconut fruit for all sorts of recipes – none of which I like. As a child my mom’s friend brought coconuts to the house once, and chopped them open, so my sibs and I could try the milk. I was thrilled. In the movies they always drink the milk (yippee). Sadly, not one of us liked it. I went from thrilled to appalled in a minute flat.
I’ve never gotten over it, which is too bad, because it’s such a pretty food, all translucent and silky looking. I NEVER eat coconut anything so I won’t be posting any cool recipes, because to me there are none. Well, maybe I’ll post a few, because while I’m not a coconut fan, I am a Marye fan and she has posted:
- Cheesecake Pops made with coconut oil.
- Chocolate Intrigue Cookies – yes with coconut.
- Coconut Cream Pie or Pudding – yikes.
You know, I do like coconut in beauty products – it’s very rich. Coconut is also used for making items like rings, bracelets, hamster toys, and more. See how coconut can be terrifying! You can even dress them up, if you’re bored:
Simple Coconut Tree Paper Craft – for very small kids.
Do you like coconut?
[images via stock.xchng]
Thanks for the links, Jennifer!
You know, one of the most important products that is produced from coconuts is coir.
Coir is a fibrous material that can be used in place of peat moss in gardening. Peat moss comes from peat bogs. Once it is removed from the bogs that ecosystem is permanently changed. It does not grow back, and is therefore not sustainable.
Coir, however, comes from the fibers of the coconut. Very sustainable and can be used in place of peat moss.
Hey, I just read about that coir last night. I didn’t know about it. I did know about the peat moss issue. I’ll have to do a longer post on it.
Coconuts are very nutritious and good for you all around. Good for your skin, good for cooking with at high heats (unlike olive oil) due to their medium chained fatty acids.
Drinking the water & eating the meat of the young coconuts is extremely healthy for you and tastes great esp. if cold (can be mixed into a smoothie, too).
It is anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial has the highest amount of lauric acid outside of breastmilk, helps you lose weight by helping the thyroid and metabolism, etc. I can go on and on, I love coconuts!
Here is a link to more info on the health benefits: http://www.coconut-info.com/
Nature Deva – I know. Coconuts have all these good benefits. It’s just too bad they don’t taste better. Blah. Thanks for the link though, I’m sure our coconut loving readers will like it.
AAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!! I am NOT ok with coconut spiders!!!!!! I had to wiki it, then try to look at a video of one walking, while yelling AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! the whole time! I have the total creeps, AAAAAAAA!
Whatever Rachel, make me spit out my coffee why don’t you?!
You cracked me up – big time. I can’t believe you saw a video. Now of course I’ll need to go spook myself out and find it.