Milk and flesh
All over the world, a coconut is seen as the epitome of an exotic delicacy. Except of course in the countries where it grows. Coconut milk is just a daily drink there. And don't forget the delicious white flesh!
The nut we refer to as a fruit is actually the seed of the coconut palm. And the way we are used to seeing coconuts also differs from how coconuts look on the tree in their countries of origin. They are encased in a green husk that covers the familiar hairy, brown nut you see in the shops. When you buy a coconut make sure you can hear the milk inside. This means it is a fresh - and an extra tasty - specimen.
You don't need to look far for a recipe for your EAT ME coconut. They can be used in a wide variety of dishes, from (coconut) soup to salads. The hard husk makes the fruit a perfect base for a coconut bowl. And treat yourself to a refreshing smoothie with fresh coconut water.
Opening a coconut is easier than it seems, even though the husk is rock hard. You can opt for the smooth approach. Each note has three indentations - or eyes - at the base. Drill a hole in two of those three eyes and drain the coconut water or milk. A hard tap with a hammer is then enough to crack open the nut. Or you can opt for the rough approach: Some people simply drop the coconut into a hard surface!
Kept outside the fridge, you can store a coconut for quite a while without affecting the quality.
Did you know that with a coconut you also replenish the stock of minerals in your body? The coconut is a source of potassium, for example. Potassium is good for muscle function. A coconut is also rich in copper, the mineral that promotes the normal pigmentation of your hair and skin. And all those nutritional fibers in the nut are also a nice bonus!
Coconut palms grow in many places around the world, but ours are sourced from Ivory Coast.
