Young coconut: composition, properties and culinary uses

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Young coconut: composition, properties and culinary uses
Young coconut: composition, properties and culinary uses
Anonim

Many people mistakenly call coconuts nuts. In fact, they are drupes that grow on palm trees. For residents of hot countries, such fruits are very important. They are used for various purposes. The article deals with young coconuts and other types of this fruit.

What are coconuts

Palm fruits are drupes weighing up to three kilograms.

green coconuts on a palm tree
green coconuts on a palm tree

Young coconuts are spherical and have a hard shell. Inside the fruit is a white pulp and a liquid called juice. These famous exotic fruits are composed of the following components:

  1. Outer shell.
  2. Fiber (it is denoted by the word "coir").
  3. An internal protective coating that has a hard texture.
  4. Pulp (it's called copra).
  5. Coconut water.

The size of the fetus can not be judged on its internal structure. There are fruits of large size, 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 come from different types of plants. However, this is not quite true. The color of the fruit indicates the degree of their maturity. On such a basis as fruit ripeness, the following types of coconuts are distinguished:

  • Greens.
  • Yellow.
  • Brown. These are the ripest 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.
ripe coconut
ripe coconut

Young coconut is very popular and has many he alth benefits. Various foods and cosmetics are prepared from its pulp and juice. The water inside this fruit is clear and sweet.

coconut water
coconut water

Fruits that are brown in color have some 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 get 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 fruit, it is not recommended to buy it.
  • The presence of a characteristic sound of gurgling water when shakingindicates the good quality of the fruit.
  • Spots. Their presence indicates that the fetus is spoiled.
  • The presence of an unpleasant odor. In this case, you should refuse to purchase the product.

Useful qualities

Green coconut contains components that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body. Among them can be listed:

  1. Magnesium. This substance normalizes the functions of the nervous system, improves sleep and attention, increases brain activity.
  2. Phosphorus and calcium help strengthen bone and dental tissue, muscles, nail plates and joints.
  3. Iron and copper. These substances improve the composition of the blood, saturate the cells of the body with oxygen.
  4. Selenium, vitamin E. Prevent the development of malignant tumors, help maintain youthful skin and tissues.
  5. Potassium stabilizes the work of the heart, strengthens the walls of blood vessels.
  6. Ascorbic acid improves the functioning of the immune system, promotes the production of collagen.
  7. Fiber cleanses the digestive tract from harmful substances, eliminates the problem of stool retention.

The use of exotic fruit in cooking

The pulp and water of a young coconut are used for food purposes. Juice is a dietary product. It is used as one of the ingredients in various dishes. The pulp 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 people of Thailand use it to prepare such dishes:

  • Soups.
  • Salads.
  • Sweets.
  • Fish and meat dishes.
  • Creams.
  • Rice cereal dishes.
  • Cocktails.
  • Baking.

Coconut is not very popular among Russian citizens. However, supporters of the principles of proper nutrition and vegetarianism often use the following components of this fruit:

  • milk;
  • flour;
  • chips;
  • oil.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil

These ingredients are found in many homemade meals and are used as an alternative to animal products.

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