An Indian household having no coconut in their stock is rare. The southern part of India consumes more coconut than North, however, coconuts are used all over India during the religious rituals and festivals. At temples, people crack the coconut and offer to God.

I have heard my ancestors saying: Cracking of coconut symbolizes breaking of ego. The hard shell of ego and ignorance is broken to give way to knowledge and purity. That is why it is considered sacred to break a coconut before any auspicious event.

What are Coconuts?

Coconuts are a whole plant food and they are not actually nuts. People consume it in various forms- fresh Coconut water, fresh Coconut meat(from tender Coconuts), Coconut milk(Homemade Coconut milk recipe), shredded Coconuts, Coconut oils, and dried coconut flakes. In India, Coconut is cultivated mainly in the coastal tracts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Pondicherry, and Maharashtra and in the islands of Lakshadweep, Andaman, and Nicobar.

What are the nutritional/medical benefits?

Dr. Michael Greger an American physician, author, and professional speaker on public health issues, particularly the benefits of a whole-food, plant-based diet and the harms of eating animal products says about coconut water: is so close in composition to human plasma that in an emergency, you can use coconut water intravenously. You can literally hook up a series of coconuts and drip them right into you.

Tender Coconuts: This type of coconut consists of 90 to 95 percent water. It has excellent cooling properties. It is a Pitta-dosha (Doshas in Ayurveda)pacifier due to its cooling effect on the body.

My daughter often likes to eat fresh coconut meat, it gives a good exercise to your gums and fresh coconut meat is also said to have healing properties because it is high in antioxidants. Coconuts in any form are gluten-free, alkaline food, high in saturated fat and fiber. It also contains protein and some important minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium.

Also, the fat in coconuts is medium-chain fatty acids that are better absorbed than animal saturated fat and is said to have anti-inflammatory effects. Fresh coconut meat is definitely a great superfood to add to your diet! Sun-dried coconuts with peanut and a pinch of Indian jaggery are highly nutritious to eat for kids as well as adults.

Most of my recipes involve Coconut milk, shredded coconut, organic virgin coconut oil, and tender coconut water.