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And here’s another fact that any coco fan would love: 25 grams of fat plus 280 calories. Guess what, shredded and unsweetened coconut gives you that. Why am I making so much fuss about this brown monkey-face fruits (coco means monkey-face in Spanish)? It’s because coconuts are one of the many useful stuffs that are abundant in this little island paradise I fondly call “home”. Other than that, wherever they grow, they sure outshine other trees if we talk about usefulness and versatility. This I think, makes coconuts worthy of recognition.
 
I’d like to reassure every diet conscious person that coconuts aren’t all mongers of homicidal fat. As a tidbit of interesting info for you- a young coconut’s juice can be substituted for a blood component called plasma. Who would ever think that coconut blood is actually humanly possible and that it can safely course through your veins? Well, I’m telling you it is indeed very possible. If you don’t buy that fact, then perhaps you can do your own research to refute your doubts.

Other than boosting the blood blank, coconuts have more uses. Though some of its uses may be too ordinary in comparison to its life-saving drupes, this miracle super fruit/nut/seed is a viable resource for all of us. I bet you, what they are short of in wow factor, they equally compensate for when you talk of versatility. Indeed, I think it’s one of the very few trees that are so purposively made- from the roots up to the endmost part of their leaves- every bit of the fruit and tree has its significant contribution to the society.

Let’s get into the little details. If you visit my humble island house, you’ll see that there are a variety of coconut products piling up in heaps; for one, my trusty coconut twigs tied together to create every house’s best friend- a broom- perfectly made to brush off unsightly muck (kidding, Bob). How about the fibre? No, it certainly cannot be taken for granted.

The husk’s fibre proves its many uses for all kinds of important household materials, including ropes, coco peat, twine, clothing, fuel and even filters. The fact that the fibre is resistant to salt water and is tough, it serves well its every job.

If you’ve been to any island, you’d find that the locals fondly use coconut fronds as thatched roofs, which they themselves make and use to provide shelter for their houses. That’s another money-saving benefit from coconuts. Other than using the hard shells as a substitute for firewood, you can cut and carve them. A little polishing on these shaped coco shells will transform them into useful utensils and home decors.

Try stepping into any seaside shop selling souvenirs; you’ll most often find attractive coconut ornaments and other products such as bracelets and necklaces, that are WAY too expensive and yet those little things are just too tempting and too cute to resist.

If you talk about food, well, you can’t get enough of coconuts! Coconuts-mostly, its milk- are used in all types of ways to create perfectly delicious and tasty traditional meals and home-made sweets, from hot and spicy curries to those heavenly coconut toffees that are a sure delight to everyone’s palate. The coconut meat which is edible can also be used fresh or even dried for making confections or desserts, think- macaroons.

And how about baking? Yes, there is such a thing called coconut flour and you can bake cakes with it, too. Do you know that it’s actually being used to fight malnutrition in some parts of the world? Everyone would truly agree that coconuts as food means limitless possibilities.

And what if the tree stops bearing its magic fruit? Do you jump on to the next topic? Heck, no! Once again, the ever generous tree bids its modest services to humanity by offering itself as a wood. Coconut wood called porcupine (splinters?), are widely used to create furniture and many other materials that are made for our convenience.
You see, though coconuts look pretty mundane on the outside, their value far exceeds all other trees. With coconuts, there is more than what meets the eye!