It is also often stated that coconuts can travel 110 days, or 5,000km (3,000mi), by sea and still be able to germinate. [68] This figure has been questioned based on the extremely small sample size that forms the basis of the paper that makes this claim. [57] Thor Heyerdahl provides an alternative, and much shorter, estimate based on his first-hand experience crossing the Pacific Ocean on the raft Kon-Tiki: [69] One review even suggested that coconut oil may help lower blood sugar levels, which may be due to its anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant content ( 20).

The stiff midribs of coconut leaves are used for making brooms in India, Indonesia ( sapu lidi), Malaysia, the Maldives, and the Philippines ( walis tingting). The green of the leaves (lamina) is stripped away, leaving the veins (long, thin, woodlike strips) which are tied together to form a broom or brush. A long handle made from some other wood may be inserted into the base of the bundle and used as a two-handed broom. Copra is the dried meat of the seed and after processing produces coconut oil and coconut meal. Coconut oil, aside from being used in cooking as an ingredient and for frying, is used in soaps, cosmetics, hair oil, and massage oil. Coconut oil is also a main ingredient in Ayurvedic oils. In Vanuatu, coconut palms for copra production are generally spaced 9m (30ft) apart, allowing a tree density of 100 to 160 per hectare (40 to 65 per acre). Adkins, S.; Foale, M.; Harries, H. Growth and Production of Coconut. Soils, plant growth and crop production. In Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems, Developed under the Auspices of UNESCO; Eolss Publishers: Oxford, UK, 2011; p. 7. Available online: http://www.eolss.net (accessed on 20 January 2022).

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Karunaratne, S.; Santha, S.; Kovoor, A. An in vitro assay for drought-tolerant coconut germplasm. Euphytica 1991, 53, 25–30. [ Google Scholar] [ CrossRef] Dried coconut leaves can be burned to ash, which can be harvested for lime. In India, the woven coconut leaves are used to build wedding marquees, especially in the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Because it’s grain-free, the flour is also good for those on the paleo diet, which does not allow grain products like regular wheat flour. According to urban legend, more deaths are caused by falling coconuts than by sharks annually. [182] Historical records Foale, M.; Nguyen, Q.T.; Adkins, S.W. Advances in cultivation of coconut. In Achieving Sustainable Cultivation of Tropical Fruits; Elhadi, M.Y., Ed.; Burleigh dodds Science Publishing: Cambridge, UK, 2020; pp. 345–376. ISBN 9781786762849. [ Google Scholar]

Huang, Y.-Y.; Lee, C.-P.; Fu, J.L.; Chang, B.C.-H.; Matzke, A.J.; Matzke, M. De novo transcriptome sequence assembly from coconut leaves and seeds with a focus on factors involved in RNA-directed DNA methylation. G3 Genes Genomes Genet. 2014, 4, 2147–2157. [ Google Scholar] [ CrossRef] [ PubMed][ Green Version] The specific name nucifera is derived from the Latin words nux (nut) and fera (bearing), for 'nut-bearing'. [44] Distribution and habitat a b Nayar, N Madhavan (2017). The Coconut: Phylogeny, Origins, and Spread. Academic Press. pp.10–21. ISBN 978-0-12-809778-6. Therefore, it’s best to enjoy coconut oil in moderation as part of a balanced diet, alongside a variety of other healthy fats like olive oil. Indonesia is the world's largest producer of coconuts, with a gross production of 15million tonnes. [98] Philippines Red nata de coco in syrup from the Philippines Macapuno preserves sold in the United States

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Wild coconuts are naturally restricted to coastal areas in sandy, saline soils. The fruit is adapted for ocean dispersal. Coconuts could not reach inland locations without human intervention (to carry seednuts, plant seedlings, etc.) and early germination on the palm (vivipary) was important. [59] Cocos nucifera is a large palm, growing up to 30 metres (100 feet) tall, with pinnate leaves 4–6m (13–20ft) long, and pinnae 60–90 centimetres (2–3ft) long; old leaves break away cleanly, leaving the trunk smooth. [6] On fertile soil, a tall coconut palm tree can yield up to 75 fruits per year, but more often yields less than 30. [7] [8] [9] Given proper care and growing conditions, coconut palms produce their first fruit in six to ten years, taking 15 to 20 years to reach peak production. [10]

A sprinkle of raw coconut adds texture and a tropical flavor to oatmeal. Stirred into pudding or yogurt, it’s also a delicious calorie booster for someone who wants to gain weight. Whitehead, R. Sample survey and collection of coconut germ plasm in the Pacific Islands. In Sample Survey and Collection of Coconut Germ Plasm in the Pacific Islands; Ministry of Overseas Development: London, UK, 1964; p. 78. [ Google Scholar] Nampoothiri, K.; Krishnakumar, V.; Thampan, P.K.; Nair, M.A. The Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera L.)—Research and Development Perspectives; Springer: Singapore, 2019; ISBN 978-981-13-2754-4. [ Google Scholar]

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However, coconut flour is best used in recipes that have been tested, as it won’t rise like wheat flour and absorbs more liquid than other types of flour.