Growing to a height of over 25 meters, the coconut tree is perhaps one of the unique trees in the world. Native to coastal regions, it is a kind of palm tree with a single straight trunk and boasts of hundreds of uses. The following is an overview of some of the top uses of coconut trees
Top uses of coconut trees
The flesh
The flesh of a coconut is not only edible but also rich in minerals, vitamins, and powerful antioxidants. As such, it is not only used as food but the white juice extracted from the flesh has been used for thousands of years as a flavor for a wide variety of dishes. The white meat left behind after extracting the coconut milk can also be dried, ground and used for flavoring various dishes and beverages
The water
The coconut fruit also has some mildly sweet water within its core. The water can serve as a healthy refreshing drink and is also known to have numerous health benefits
Coconut oil
Oil extracted from coconuts is not only used in cooking but is also quite popular in hair and beauty products: due to its soothing effect. In the culinary field, coconut has replaced butter and other natural oils in many recipes due to its enticing aroma
The shell
When the white meat has been extracted from a coconut shell, the shell can be used for many purposes. Traditionally, the hard shell has been used for steaming food but in modern times, it is commonly used to create ornamental crafts
The husk
The husk is the fiber like outer covering of a coconut shell. In ancient days, it was used as tinder for starting a fire but in modern times, it has become immensely popular for making ropes and various art and crafts
Coconut leaves
Coconut leaves are considered as one of the essential parts when it comes to top uses of coconut trees. For thousands of years, coconut leaves have been used as a form of thatching material due to their immense size and regular shape. They not only have excellent insulation properties but also bring about a feeling of tranquility to a structure. In modern days, they are still a very popular roofing solution. They are also commonly used in making hats and bangles
Flowers
Flowers from the coconut tree are not only used for aesthetic purposes but also have medicinal properties which make them a popular ingredient in many modern and traditional remedies
These are some of the major uses of a coconut tree; there are many other uses of a coconut tree not mentioned above