Many people mistakenly call coconuts nuts. In fact, they are drupe fruits that grow on palm trees. For residents of hot countries, such fruits are very important. They are used for various purposes. The article is about young coconuts and other types of this fruit.
What are coconuts
The fruits of a palm tree are drupes, having a mass of up to three kilograms.
Young coconuts have a spherical shape and a hard shell. Inside the fruit is a white pulp and a liquid called juice. These famous exotic fruits consist of such components:
- Outer shell.
- Fiber (it is denoted by the word "coir").
- An internal protective coating that has a hard texture.
- Pulp (it is called copra).
- Coconut Water
The size of the fetus cannot be judged on its internal structure. There are large fruits in which there is a lot of fiber. There are also quite small young coconuts with a lot of juice inside.
Types of Palm Fruits
Some people believe that brown and green fruits are harvested from different types of plants. However, this is not quite true. The color of the fruit indicates the degree of maturity. By such a sign as ripe fruit, the following types of coconuts are distinguished:
- Greens.
- Yellow.
- Brown. These are the most ripe fruits that are subjected to special processing. First, the outer coating is removed from the surface of the fruits, then they are left to dry in the sun.
Young coconut is very popular and has many useful qualities. Various foods and cosmetics are prepared from its pulp and juice. The water inside the fruit is clear and sweet.
Brown fruits have a little moisture. However, their flesh has a pleasant aroma. The water inside ripe coconuts gradually thickens and turns into oil. Then, as the fruit ripens, the moisture hardens. Over time, it becomes pulp.
How to purchase a quality product?
Coconuts are a product that is quite rare on the shelves of Russian stores. Of course, people who love these exotic fruits would like to buy only good fruits. But how to choose a young coconut? To do this, pay attention to the following signs:
- Integrity. If there is damage on the surface of the fetus, buying it is not recommended.
- The presence of a characteristic sound of gurgling water when shaking indicates a good quality fruit.
- Stains. Their presence indicates that the fetus is spoiled.
- The presence of an unpleasant odor. In this case, you should refuse to buy a product.
Useful qualities
Green coconut contains components that have a beneficial effect on the body. Among them can be listed:
- Magnesium. This substance normalizes the functions of the nervous system, improves sleep and attention, increases brain activity.
- Phosphorus and calcium help to strengthen bone and tooth tissue, muscles, nail plates and joints.
- Iron and copper. These substances improve the composition of the blood, saturate the body's cells with oxygen.
- Selenium, vitamin E. Prevent the development of malignant tumors, help maintain youthful skin and tissues.
- Potassium stabilizes the heart, strengthens the walls of blood vessels.
- Ascorbic acid improves the immune system, promotes collagen production.
- Fiber cleanses the digestive tract from harmful substances, eliminates the problem of stool retention.
The use of exotic fruit in cooking
The flesh and water of young coconut is consumed for food purposes. Juice is a dietary product. It is used as one of the ingredients in various foods. The flesh of an exotic fruit has a beneficial effect on the state of the reproductive system, increases sexual desire.
Knowing the useful properties of the product, the inhabitants of Thailand use it to prepare such dishes:
- Soups
- Salads.
- Sweets.
- Fish and meat dishes.
- Creams.
- Rice cereal dishes.
- Cocktails
- Bakery products.
Among Russian citizens, coconut is not very popular. However, supporters of the principles of proper nutrition and vegetarianism often use the following components of this fruit:
These ingredients are part of many domestic foods and are used as an alternative to animal products.