Some interesting facts on the Coconut Plant and fruit

The coconut is considered among the top ten useful and valuable trees in the world and is rated as one of “Nature’s Greatest Gifts to Man”.

The Coconut tree has played an important role in many cultures. It is more than a food crop. It is also a social and an energy crop. Once planted, this prolific tree is productive and can yield 1000s of coconuts over a lifespan of about 70 – 100 years.

Every part of this tree is useful to humans, including the roots, trunks, leaves, husk, fiber, fruit, water, milk and meat.

It has several names and has been called as the “Tree of Life”, “King of Trees”, The Jewel of the Tropics”, the Fruit of the Gods”, “The Miracle Tree”, ”Tree of the Heavens” and many more.

Coconut plants grow in tropical countries along sandy shorelines where the temperature has a mean average of 70 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a large palm that grows to over 30 meters in height. Trunks may reach a diameter of 16 inches. Leaf life span may be 3 years. The age of a tree can be computed by the total number of leaves and leaf-scars visible on the trunk, devided by 12.

The coconut leaves are among the largest of any plant and can reach up to 20 foot. A normal adult palm produces 12 – 16 new leaves annually.

The coconut is a monococious plant producing male and female flowers on the same tree but in different parts of the same flower cluster.

The fruits are the coconuts and bear fruit all year round. It takes about a year to ripen and can weigh up to 2.5 kilos.

The heart of the coconut is the tender young apex at the top of the stem located just below the crown of leaves. The heart can be as long as a human leg and can weigh up to 12 kilos. It is a delicacy and sometimes eaten as a vegetable.

The coconut tree has a thick growth of a string-like root system and the normal length of the root is about 5 – 7 meters and numbers between 2000 – 10000 depending on the soil conditions.

The Tree of Life

This tree is concidered a “Three-generation-tree”, supporting a farmer, his children and his grandchildren. It is perhaps the most useful plant on earth.

Some interesting facts on the Coconut Plant and fruit :

The Pith :

· The pith of the stem contains starch which may be extracted and used as flour.
· The pith from the top of the tree is sometimes pickled in coconut vinegar and called coco pickles.
· Vegetable roll called “lumpia”.
· Native dish called “Guinataan”.
· “Guinit” can produce shoe straps, handbags, fans, picture frames and decorative accessories.

The Heart :

· Fresh juices from the hearts are used against fever.
· Cocnut palm hearts are nourishing and are regarded as good for the digestion - it is a delicacy.
· It is sometimes eaten as a vegetable and sometimes referred to as the “Millionaire’s salad”.
· To regulate menstruation, a paste is made from grinding the hearts together with molasses and is to be eaten daily.

The Trunk :

· Benches, tables, boxes.
· You can make lumber out of old mature trees, building timbers.
· Dried coconut bark can be used to ignite coals.
· Used to make small canoes, rafts, building sheds.
· Bottom part of the trunk can be used as a drum.
· Ornamental wood carving.
· Paper pulp can be extracted.

The Spathe and Guinit :

· Used to make handbags, hats, packaging materials and baskets.

The Leaves :

· As fuel.
· As fish bait.
· Midrib brooms and good quality paper pulp.
· Provide thatching materials for roofs and matting for floors, walls and for sun shades.
· The fronds can be woven to make nice hats, bows, toys, fans, baskets, trays, lamp shades, placemats, bags, clothing, furnishings, screens and many more.
· The “wrapper” of the palm can be used for toilet paper.

A – Stem :
The center veins of the frond pinnae can be bunched together to make a good whisk broom, or used as a toothpick.
Sections of the stem after scooping out the pith are used as flumes or gutters for carrying water.
B – Stiff Midribs / leaflet midribs :
Used to make skewers, arrows, brooms, brushes, fish traps.
C – Leaf fiber :
Used to make mats, slippers, bags, short lined torches.

The Florescence :

From Sap :
· Tuba, coconut sugar, coconut nectar syrup, wine liquor, vinegar.
· Fruit trays, placemats.
· Artificial flowers.
· Hats, picture frames.
· Blinds, curtains.

The Sprouting seeds :

· May be eaten like celery.
· Used as a treatment for skin and nasal ulcers.

The Roots :

· Used as a toothpaste and mouthwash.
· Boiling the roots to create a dye.
· Medicine for dysentery.
· Frayed out makes a natural toothbrush.
· Scorched, used as a coffee substitute.
· Used for a host of ailments.
· Source of tannin.
· Beverage (root beer).

The Flower :

· Often used for fashion shoes, caps, pressed helmet for soldiers.
· Provide honey for bees.
· It produces a steady dripping of sweet juice (sap) up to a gallon per day.
· It contains 16 – 30 mg ascorbic acid / 100g.

By products of Sap :

§ Sugar.
§ Nectar syrup.
§ Vinegar.
§ Distilled liquor.
§ Wine, Champagne, Gin.
§ Mixed grated coconut make candy.
§ Beer (8% alcohol).
§ Boiled toddy when mixed with lime makes good cement.
§ Yeast for making breads.
§ Fresh beverage.
§ Tuba.

The Young Nut :

If a nut is allowed to germinate, cavity fills with a spongy mass called “bread” which is eaten raw or toasted in a shell over fire.

The Husk :

· Coir and abaca pulp are a good combination to make Book paper.
· Coir is the fiber from the husk – used in ropes, yarns, carpets, rugs, brushes, caulking boats, stuffing fiber, mulch for plant growing.
· Cooking fire, mosquito coil and smudges.
· The smoke of the husk is a natural mosquito repellent.
· The dried fibers of the nut can be shredded as stuffing for pillows, mattresses, car seats.
· For planters, flower pots, plant holders.
· Sound proofing, aquarium filters.
· The resin of the inner husk is used for toothache relief.
· For erosion control, geotextile, electrical insulators.
· Fiber is resistant to sea water and is used for cable and rigging on ships.
· Used for olive oil filters.

The Water :

· Can be drank like a juice.
· Can be cooked with or mixed with rum for cocktails.
· Vinegar.
· Embryo culture.
· Coconut water is produced by a 5 month old nut and is pure and sterile. During WW2 it was used in emergencies in place of sterile glucose solution and was injected directly into the patient’s veins as a substitute to dextrose.
· Coconut water as a “softdrink”.
· Food jellie.
· Yeast.
· Alcohol.
· Wine by yeast fermentation.
· Also contains growth substances, minerals and vitamins used for plants and anti-aging skincare products.
· Used in the production of the chewy, fiber-rich “nata de coco”, a desert and serves as a laxative.
· Ethyl acetate.

The Meat :

· Virgin Coconut oil is extracted from the meat and is used as a dietary supplement and also for skin and body care.
· Deodorized oils and called copra. This oil is rich in glycerin that is used for cooking, margarine, detergent, candles, shaving cream, toothpaste, lotions, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, synthetic rubber, cosmetics and bath and laundry soap.
· Animal feed. It is rich in protein and sugar.
· Oil is used to produce bio-diesel.
· For salad, butter, frying, as affordable food extenders, medicines, glycerine emulsifier, anti-pollutant, resin, esters. Toothpaste, skin-care, sodium lauryl sulfate.
· Produce flour and desiccated coconut.
· It is the source of the coconut milk and coconut cream (used for cakes, pies, candies, curries, sweets, coffee creamer, ice-cream).
· Produces vegetarian butter, cheese and yogurt.
· It is also converted into coconut chips, jams, biscuits, candies.

The Shell :

· To buff floors.
· Useful as “microporous filters” in aquariums
· Can be used to make bowls, cups, storage containers, placemats, accessories for gifts, furniture, handbags, earings, bracelets, necklaces, buttons.
· Used to make small drums, guitars, wind chimes.
· Fuel for copra kilns, charcoal.
· Floor and wall tiles.
· Decorative lamps and mirror frames.
· Briquetted charcoal and activated carbon to use as domestic filter for drinking water and to remove poison.
· Coconut shell flour is used in the industry as filler in plastics.
· Used in air purification systems.

Coconut water :

· Called the “fluid of life” and is high in potassium, is fat-free, and is the best natural source of cancer-fighting cytokinins. It works well on a cellular level. It contains the most cytokinins than any other food source which is the cell’s DNA that protect the cells as they undergo cell division.
· Coconut water is a natural isotonic beverage and contains fiber, proteins, anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals. It is bacteriologically sterile, pyrogen-free and does not destroy blood vessels. It will keep you young and virile and relieves burning sensations and hot flushes and restores emotional stability in menopousal in women.
· It acts as a general blood purifier.

Natural Carbohydrate comparison per cup ;

...................Carbohydrate.....Diet Fiber.....Sugar
Coconut water..... 8.9 g .............2.6 g ........6.3 g
Carrot juice.........22 g ............. 2 g .......... 9 g
Grapefruit juice... 22.7 g
Orange juice........25.8 g ............0.5 g ........20.9 g
Apple juice.........29 g ...............0.2 g
Pineapple juice....34.5 g ............ 0.5 g ....... 34 g


Calorie comparison per cup :

.......................Calories ... calories from fat
Coconut water ........46 ............ 4
Carrot juice ...........94 ............ 3
Grapefruit juice ......96 ............ 2
Orange juice .........112 ............ 4
Pineapple juice ......140 ............ 2


Sports drinks vs Coconut water per mg / 100 ml :

.................Sports drink ....Coconut water
Potassium .........11.7 ............. 294
Sodium ............41 ............... 25
Chloride ..........39 ................ 118
Magnesium ........7 ................. 10
Sugars .............6 .................. 5


Coconut meat for a healthy diet is used in some recipes :

· Coconut steak (cooked with soy sauce, kalamansi, black pepper and onions)
· Coconut pasta (Add spring onion, oregano or basil and Italian seasoning, tomato sauce)
· Coconut nuggets (fry in coconut oil and serve with ketchup or sweet and sour sauce)
· Coconut chips (Bake in the oven until crisp and slightly brown. Sprinkle with garlic / onion salt)

Coconut creams and milk is used to make the following :

· Ice-cream.
· Coconut jams to use on pancakes, syrup, sponge cake filling, ice-cream topping, marinade for meat.
· Lime coconut desert squeeze to be used for simple toppings, garnishes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, yogurt topping.
· Coconut butter.
· Coconut cheese (looks yummee!).
· Coconut yogurt.

Coconut flour :

· It has a high fiber content.
· It is fermentable and produces high amounts of butyric acid which helps in inhibiting tumor formation.
· Effective in moderating blood sugar and insulin levels.
· It does not contain phytic acid (this pulls out calcium, zinc, and iron from your body).
· Does not contain gluten.
· It has a naturally cream colour. No need to bleach.
· Has the capability of expelling intestinal worms.
· It provides the limiting amino acid in baked products.
· Enhances the flavour of most products like chocolate and vanilla.

Fiber content of various flours

Coconut flour ............ 61%
Wheat Bran flour ........27%
Oat bran flour ............16%
Rye flour ..................15%
Wheat flour ..............13%
Cornmeal flour ...........11%
Rice flour .................0.8%


Comparison chart for saturated / unsaturated fatty acid :

.................Saturated .... Unsaturated
Canola ............6% ..............94%
Olive .............14% .............86%
Sunflower .......11% ............. 89%
Corn .............13% ............. 87%
Soy ..............15% ............. 85%
Peanut ..........18% ............. 82%
Palm .............51% .............49%
Dairy ............52% ..............48%
Coconut ........92% .............. 8%

Other foods :

· Chutney.
· Candy.
· Shrimp paste.
· Coconut liquors and coconut vodka.
· Coconut Champagne – Kahal.
· Coconut wine - Don Alfonso wines – cherry (red), gold and rose.
· Coconut vinegar.
· Pickles.
· Tea.
· Makapuno – use as pastry and flavouring in the ice-cream industry.
· Nata de Coco – substitute for pork fat, thicken soup, addition to salads.

Also used in :

· Skincare products.
· Soaps.
· Shampoo and conditioner.
· Body and facial wash.
· Handgel and insect repellent.
· Petroleum jelly.
· Body scrub.
· Soap granules.
· Laundry soap.
· Oils for wood surfaces.

Other fashion accessories :

· Handbags.
· Necklaces.
· Earings.
· Bracelets.
· Headpieces.
· Belts.
· Hats.
· Shoes.
· Garments.

· Vases.
· Lamps.
· Candle holders.
· Baskets and utility boxes.
· Throws and pillows.
· Wall decor.
· Draperies and curtains.
· Picture frames.
· Desktop and stationary accessories.
· Doormats, carpets and rugs.
· Decorations.
· Placemats, coasters, napkin rings.
· Cups, plates and ladles.
· Furniture.
· Packaging material.
· Tiles and wood parquet flooring.
· Fiber-cement board.
· Wall panels and roofs.
· Planter pots.
· Enhancer for plant growth.
· Biodiesel.
· Oleaochemicals.
· Peat.
· Mosquito coils.
· Chicken feed.
· Charcoal.
· Bricks.

· Used at Spa’s and resorts as a beauty treatment


All the information in this article was taken from the book “COCONUT PHILIPPINES”
AUTHOR : LALAINE VILLAFUERTE-ABONAL
WWW.COCONUTREPUBLIC.ORG

Toya, my liefste kat!

Vanoggend vroeg het Toya my wakker gemaak, so asof sy geweet het dis haar laaste oggend by my. Sy het vreeslik met my gepraat en het ek haar die versekering gegee dat ek baie lief is vir haar en dat sy baie lekker gaan bly by die nuwe mense. My hart was so seer, want hier gaan my liefste kat nou weg, en weet ek nie of sy goeie behandeling gaan kry of nie. Maar dis my enigste uitweg. Sover het nog net een ander vrou my gebel om navraag te doen oor Toya.

Dit was vir my baie erg om afskeid te neem hier by die huis. Sy het besef dat iets aan die gang is en het weg gehardloop elke keer as ek naby haar wou kom. Eindelik is ons in die kar en het ek haar na Shereen geneem waar Toya nou gaan bly.

Ons het lank in haar kamer gesit en gesels en Toya dopgehou waar sy aan alles geruik het. Die bediende het ook ingekom en my verseker dat Toya ‘n baie lekker lewe sal hê, afgesien van die ander 13 katte en 5 honde. En soos Shereen my vertel het, is elkeen van die diere, diere wat hulle iewers opgetel en kom versorg het, of van mense wat oorsee gegaan het wat nie meer na hul diere kan omsien nie.

Ek was tevrede en het daar weggery met die wete dat sy ‘n goeie huis gekry het. Voor ek Fiji toe gaan, sal ek weer gaan kuier en net met haar speel, en hoor wat ‘sy my te vertelle het’ oor haar nuwe huis.

Ek gaan haar baie mis!

My laaste dag

Ek het gisteroggend omstreeks 5 uur wakker geword en in die bed bly lê maar besef iets is drasties verkeerd met my. Alles om my draai in die rondte en is ek so dronk soos ‘n tor. Ek het probeer opstaan, maar nog erger, want ek val oor my voete en moet oral vashou om te kan regop staan. Maar ek moes by die badkamer uitkom want ek was ongelooflik naar.

Hoekom nou vanoggend? Hoekom nou? Het ek gedink. Dis my laaste oggend by die werk en kan ek nie my afskeidsontbyt mis nie! Hulle het egter ‘n afskeid gereël en kan ek dit sekerlik nie mis nie. Maar alles draai om my en is ek so naar.

Ek probeer skeer, maar draai my eie beeld in die spieël in die rondte. Wat ‘n gedoente. Ek kan ook niks eet nie en voel soos die dood en is bleek verby. Eindelik na 'n gesukkel is ek in die motor oppad werk toe, maar ek ry ook so versigtig en stadig, te bang dat ek iets doen wat erge gevolge vir my sou inhou.

By die werk moes ek hoor dat Sharon ook siek is. Vir haar kry ek by die apteek nadat ek ook medisyne gaan koop het. Met die pilletjie in het ek gebid dat ek gou beter sal voel want ek kan nie bekostig om hier by my afskeid, siek te wees nie.

Als het goed afgeloop en het ek ‘n croissant geëet. Almal vra vrae en is nuuskierig oor wat ek gaan doen en hoe ek gemaak het om die werk te kry. Ken ek mense daar? Hoe groot is die eiland? Met waste klere gaan ek werk? Wat is daar te doen op die eiland? Die vrae kom een na die ander en kan ek skaars tyd kry om verder te eet. Maar ek het intussen darem een van Stephane se pannekoeke kon eet, asook vrugteslaai.

My afskeidsgeskenk word aan my oorhandig. Die vorige dag het Maryse my vertel dat daar 2 persone is wat nie ‘n bydrae gegee het nie aangesien hulle glo nie geld het nie. Glo nog nie ‘pay day’ nie. Ag wat maak dit ook nou saak, het ek vir haar gesê, ek is lankal verby daardie stadium dat ek iets van enige iemand verwag. Maar groot was my verbasing toe ek die geskenkpakkie oopmaak. Binne in was ‘n mooi wit hemp met groen blomme en blare op geborduur. Daar is ‘n rooi-oranje swembroek in, ‘n botteloopmaker wat ek om my nek kan dra, en dan die beste van als, ‘n snorkel ‘kit’. Wow, ek was so bly, want nou kan ek begin om te snorkel wanneer ek daar is. Almal wil weet of ek kan snorkel en of ek al scuba duik gedoen het. Nee sê ek, maar daar is altyd ‘n eerste keer. Maar min weet mense dat ek eintlik nie kan swem nie ! Ja, ek is nou nie die beste swemmer wat jy kry nie, maar ek glo nie ek sal sommer verdrink nie, solank my voete net grond kan raak – hahaha.

Ook het ek 'n fotoraampie gekry met foto's in wat deur my geneem is die afgelope tyd. Ja, daar is niemand voorheen wat foto's van enige geleentheid geneem het nie, net ek. En hier kry ek 'n fotoraampie met foto's waarin ek verskyn tesame met ander van die kantoor. Baie 'nice' het ek gedink.

Ek is terug na my kantoor waar ek die laaste klomp werk gedoen het en my tafel in orde probeer kry. Net na 14h00 is ek uit die kantoor nadat ek die wat nog in die kantoor was, vir oulaas gegroet het. Van hier is ek reguit na die Australiaanse Visa Sentrum waar ek my paspoort opgetel het met my visum daarin wat vir ‘n jaar geldig is. Die langste wat ek in die land mag bly, is drie maande op ‘n slag. Maar ek kan soveel kere in en uit die land beweeg soos ek wil. Jippee, het ek gedink. Wie weet, ek mag dalk net van die geleentheid gebruik maak.

Ek is huistoe en het in die bed geklim en kom slaap.

My photography course

I am so excited! I did my first crash course in photography and it is just amazing what one can do with a camera!

Unfortunately I do not have the time to do a more advanced course, but what I have learnt tonight (and will learn next week) is more than what I have known or used before. So now I will take even more photo's and experiment more in all different modes and settings, and use my editing skills to have 'perfect' pictures - just like the pro's!

Well, practice makes it perfect, they say!

Tomorrow is my last day at the office. I was told 'not to bring' anything to eat, as I am the 'guest of honour'. But later, I was told that 'some staff members' did not contribute towards a gift for me because it is not 'pay-day' as yet and they do not have money. Who cares? No need to give me a gift as I do not expect to get anything 'big'. I am past that phase in my life where I need to have a gift.

But the clock is ticking, and a few days from now, I'll be gone, far away on a remote island, sipping on some coconut milk, enjoying the winter sun for a quick tan, and swinging in my hammock. Oh life is good ! Life really starts at 45!

I am so excited !

I got an email this morning from the Australian Visa centre here in Rosebank, Johannesburg. At first I was a bit worried, because they said 10 working days for procession of my visa, and today is 5 days.
My eyes scrolled down the lines until I saw the words - Ready for collection !!!

I am SO EXCITED and will take time off later today to collect my passport.

But here at work, everything is like 'normal'! ( Maybe I am abnormal, and perhaps the reason why I do not fit in with them, or shall I say, a reason why I decided to leave the company )
Everybody is talking about what they should bring tomorrow for 'my farewell breakfast'. What do I care?

One girl will bring either muffins or porridge ( depending on her mood tomorrow ) The other one will bring cereal, and another one said she will bring cornflakes. Romain do not have anything in his apartment, so it is 'a bit of a problem for him'.

Then I got an email from the secretary saying that I am the 'guest of honour' - so no need for me to bring anything ( it wasn't my plan to bring anything ) My word!! I have NEVER seen anything like this!

But let me carry on with my work and focus on the more 'positive' things! Todat is the second last day, because tomorrow is my last working day at AFD. I do not think I will miss any of the people here, because a new life is about to enfold, and I will make new friends soon. All of these people will be 'all forgotten'

But for those dear to me - people like my Facebook friends - will not be forgotten!

Have a wonderful day. Until next time

Welcome to all my new friends

Just to welcome everybody to my BLOG.

I am not an expert as yet, but hope to keep you posted on my daily activities on the island of Vanuabalavu.

I will be leaving South Africa on the 31st of July. Will spend a few days in Sydney (wish I booked it for longer) and then travel to Nadi (you pronounce it Nandi) where I will be for a few days. Then it is off to Suva, the capital of Fiji, and from there we will sail with the yacht "Tau" to Vanuabalavu, where I will spend my days.

There is still so much to do before I leave, but believe me, I am so looking forward to that.

You are ALL welcome to come and visit.

Twee weke van nou af

Ek het vannaand heerlik in die bad gele en dink aan alles wat vorentoe gaan gebeur. Met 'n glas Franse Champagne in die hand en gerookte mossels op Italiaanse broodjies, het ek soos 'n wafferse edel heer gevoel.

Ek sien so uit na my nuwe lewe op die eiland en kan nie wag om daar te wees nie. Soms voel ek egter skrikkerig vir die onbekende, maar ek weet dat my hemelse Vader vir my hierdie deur geopen het. Toe alles donker en onseker was vir my, het Hy die onmoontlike moontlik gemaak. Daarom glo ek dat hierdie ook maar net 'n "stepping stone" is na iets beters.

Ek weet nie wat vir my voorle nie, maar ek gaan in goeie geloof dat ek wel 'n sukses sal maak van wat van my verwag word om te doen op die eiland. Maar ek sien ook geweldig baie uit om die twee dae in Sydney deur te bring. Indien ek geweet het of vroeer daaraan gedink het, het ek langer in Sydney aangebly om net meer van die plek te kon sien. Maar wie weet? Eendag is ek dalk weer daar en kan ek langer bly.