Coconuts

While the coconut is a mainstay in the diet of nearly one third of the planet, it's considered exotic in the Western world. Experts describe the coconut as not just a fruit, but a nut and a seed as well – a drupe. It has three layers: the outside layer is known as the exocarp, and the fibrous husk or mesocarp is inside of it. The thin, woody layer surrounding the actual coconut "meat" is the endocarp.

Nutrition:  Coconut is a tropical fruit that is rich in protein. The meat of the coconut is very good in destroying intestinal parasites, that we get from eating infected food. They're loaded with naturally sterile electrolytes, which feed your pH and muscle function.  They have a high fiber content, which makes you feel full longer and helps regulate elimination.  They're rich in lauric acid, which converts to monolaurin.  Monolaurin is the compound found in breast milk that strengthens a baby’s immunity, and a great deal of research has been done to establish the ability of lauric acid to enhance immunity. This medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) actually disrupts the lipid membranes of offending organisms.  They offer high levels of manganese, potassium, and phosphorus.

In Season:  Coconut palms take about 5 years to mature and then they produce fruit.

What To Look For:  Although it is called a coconut the fruit is actually a drupe not a nut. It is the largest seed in the plant kingdom. Young coconuts contain a clear liquid. This is known as coconut water. It is this liquid that turns into coconut milk if the coconut is left on the palm to mature.

Did You Know?  Since man inhabited the world, coconut trees were in existence. Coconuts have been used not only to produce fiber, fuel, and even musical instruments, but also as a traditional Asian and Pacific Island folk remedy.  For centuries, the coconut has been claimed as a potent cure for nausea, rash, fever, earache, sore throat, bronchitis, kidney stones, ulcers, asthma, syphilis, dropsy, toothache, bruises, and lice. And that's just the short list. While coconut milk is a wonderful base for all kinds of Thai dishes, coconut oil is becoming increasingly used in the U.S. for its nutritional benefits.