Coconut - the find of the last decade
Coconut products gained popularity not so long ago, it happened when the exotic fruit began to be imported to Russia. The palm trees on which the nut grows are concentrated on the sandy coasts of tropical countries and on islands - in Indonesia, India, Malaysia, New Guinea and the Philippines. In the 1990s, we learned what a coconut was: a dried semi-finished product that could withstand long transport and storage times. Today you can find the whole fruit in stores and markets even in small Russian cities.
Fun fact
The most popular dessert with coconut shavings inside is still Bounty. The history of the chocolate bar from the famous factory, which has become a symbol of heavenly delight, was continued in home dishes. The housewives came up with their own recipe for "Raffaello" as well.
The nut consists of a hard shell, pulp and a liquid called coconut water or juice. All but the rind can be eaten raw. Or make other foods that are freely available in supermarkets today.
Coconut water - open and drink
The liquid that matures inside the nut along with the pulp is called juice. Although outwardly it is exactly water: transparent, with a small sediment, which may not be.
The flavor of coconut juice, on the other hand, is rich and memorable. In hot resorts it is a favorite drink of locals and vacationers: they make a hole in the coconut, insert a tube and drink it just like that, without any additives.
In addition to its characteristic taste, coconut juice quickly quenches thirst. The liquid contains a record number of electrolytes: a combination of calcium, magnesium and potassium quickly restore water-salt balance in the body. In folk medicine, the product is used as a natural remedy for dehydration. It is advised for athletes to drink immediately after intensive training.
The benefits of coconut water:
B, C and E vitamins;
enzymes that improve digestion;
cytokines - substances that slow the aging process in the body and remove toxins, carcinogens;
fiber, pectin, and some glucose;
nicotinic, pantothenic and lauric acids.
With a purchased nut at home, you can do the same trick with a tube or pour the coconut juice by flipping the nut over a glass.
Water is used to make smoothies, homemade smoothies and plant-based milk. It is especially loved by adherents of dietary nutrition, because the caloric content of the product is minuscule - only 17 kcal per 100 ml.
What is made from coconut water
Milk
Milk is sometimes mistakenly called coconut water, although it is a derivative product. It is made from a mixture of crushed fruit pulp and juice. The insides of the nuts are mixed and squeezed through gauze. It turns out a homogeneous liquid of creamy color with a characteristic aroma and taste.
Milk has the same useful properties as the juice. With regular use leads to normal blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Fun fact
The coconut takes nine months to mature on the palm tree. During this time, a unique natural purification process takes place inside the nut. Water becomes almost sterile. In the history of medicine in hot countries recorded cases where coconut water was poured into the blood of a sick person, which caused his condition to normalize.
Coconut milk is a great alternative to cow's milk. It became a lifesaver for vegans and people with lactose intolerance. The product is drunk simply, added to baked goods and coffee drinks. Coconut milk latte is a popular drink on coffee menus. A simple recipe makes it possible to make such a coffee at home as well.
Cream
This is concentrated nut milk: thicker and richer, can have varying percentages of fat content.
Coconut cream is a must-have ingredient in Thai cuisine. The most popular recipe is spicy, creamy, spicy Tom Yum soup with seafood.
Coconut pulp - a find for a healthy lifestyle
The pulp or "copra" is the name given to the hard, white substance that hides under the shell of the coconut. For our cuisine, the product has become a real superfood, the content of useful substances in the composition of the fruit is impressive. These are amino acids, fatty acids, antioxidants, almost a complete set of vitamins and minerals. The combination of components helps the overall strengthening of the body, increases immunity and energy levels.
The benefits of coconut pulp:
Antioxidants slow the aging process: both externally (skin, hair and nails) and internally (nervous system and memory);
fiber and enzymes are useful for the gastrointestinal tract and normalization of stools;
saturated fats lower blood pressure, help control cholesterol and blood glucose levels, and help the body produce insulin;
lauric, caprylic, and capric acids kill viruses and bacteria in cells.
Coconut flesh is extremely nutritious, but caloric: 100 grams has 360 kcal. It is eaten raw, cut into slices, cooked a dozen different dishes. The sweet pulp of the fruit is more often in the hands of confectioners: it is added to pastries and desserts, making rawhide candies, as well as independent products, such as flour, butter, and shavings.
What is made from coconut pulp
Coconut flour.
A product on the HEA list, it replaces wheat flour. Unlike regular flour, coconut flour has fewer carbohydrates and is gluten-free. This makes it ideal for making healthy baked goods: cookies, muffins, sweet cakes and muffins.
Oil
Used in cooking as a type of vegetable oil. But unlike any other product of this group it can be solid. Coconut oil is stored in the fridge, but before cooking it is melted: it is enough to keep it in a warm room for 15 minutes or throw it on a heated frying pan.
The main advantage of coconut oil is the absence of carcinogens and trans fats, which are formed when heating ordinary vegetable or butter oil. Therefore, the product is recommended for people with vascular problems and those who are trying to avoid them. But there is a condition: cook at a temperature no higher than 175 degrees.
Tip
Not to be confused with cosmetic oil. This product is also extremely healthy, but it should not be consumed in food. Cosmetic coconut oil is included in shampoos, masks, skin creams and toothpaste.
Strings
Perhaps the most well-known coconut product, familiar even to people of the older generation. The preparation is simple: the coconut pulp is crushed into flakes and dried. It can be stored for a long time, and used to fill desserts and decorate baked goods. Coconut flakes are included in recipes for homemade confections
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