Is coconut a fruit?

Among the fruits produced in southern my country, coconut can be said to be more typical. However, some people think that coconut has a hard shell and is considered a nut. So is coconut a fruit? Through understanding, everyone will find that coconut is a kind of fruit, but it is special because the shells of most fruits are not as hard as coconut. However, coconut juice is a very delicious drink, and coconut meat can also be made into various delicacies.

Is coconut a fruit or a nut?

Although the name suggests that coconut is a nut, it is actually defined as a fruit in botanical terms.

Technically this is a drupe, a type of fruit classified by the outer layer of its flesh. And in fact it grows from the wall of the ovary of the flower. Other examples of stone fruits include nectarines, pistachios, almonds and mangoes. The evolutionary advantage of drupes is that their pulpy outer layer attracts animals, ensuring that they will be widely distributed along with the small amount of natural fertilizer that makes up their feces. In fact, some stone fruits are specifically designed to pass through the intestines of animals.

The outer layer of coconut pulp is generally considered to be the mesocarp. Coconuts that you find in stores usually already have the mesocarp layer removed, but anyone who has the opportunity to see coconuts in their natural state will see the coarse fibers that cover them. These fibers are believed to be coconut palm fibers, which are used in some tropical regions to make ropes and textiles. Coconut coir fiber is very strong and durable, although it can be a little itchy.

The next layer is the endocarp, which is the hard outer skin that people see when they buy whole coconuts in the supermarket. The endocarp protects the tender fleshy endosperm, which is the flesh of the fruit. One may also notice several soft depressions, which are designed to allow for embryonic growth if the drupe is fertilized and able to mature.

How to eat coconut

1. Coconut and Tomato Squid Soup

Ingredients: 300g squid, 200g coconut meat, 400g tomatoes, 15g butter, half a yellow and red bell pepper, 30g butter, 3g salt, 5g black pepper, 5g minced garlic

practice:

1. Remove the black film from the squid, cut into pieces, blanch in boiling water and set aside;

2. Puree the tomatoes in a food processor and set aside;

3. Melt butter in a hot pan and sauté minced garlic;

4. Add tomato puree and stir-fry for 2 minutes;

5. Add butter, black pepper and 2 cups of water and bring to boil;

6. Finally, add the squid pieces, coconut meat, and bell peppers, cook for another 5 minutes, and add salt to taste.

2. Steamed Chicken with Coconut Glutinous Rice

Ingredients: 100g glutinous rice, 150g chicken, 100g coconut meat (fresh)

practice:

Cut the coconut meat into small pieces, add appropriate amount of glutinous rice and chicken, place in a covered clay pot, and steam until cooked.

3. Hainan Coconut Chicken Soup

Ingredients: 1 coconut, 1 chicken (about 600 grams), 10 grams of ginger slices, 50 grams of walnut kernels, 50 grams of red dates, about 1500 grams of water, a little salt

practice:

1. Wash and peel the chicken, put it into boiling water, soak for about 5 minutes, and chop it into large pieces; soak the walnut kernels in water to remove the oily smell; wash and pit the red dates; extract the coconut juice and cut the coconut meat into pieces.

2. Put the chicken, ginger slices, walnut kernels, dates, coconut milk and coconut meat in 10 bowls of boiling water. Add the ginger slices, boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 3 hours. Add salt to taste.