Do you know what makes coconut special? They are like mangoes: you hardly see or eat a bitter one. You may have eaten different kinds of coconuts but did not know they have differences and species. These differences came about as a result of cross-pollination and some environmental factors. let’s us know Types Of Coconuts.
Coconut is a one-seeded fruit from the tropical family. Its botanical name is Cocos nucifera. Although there are different kinds of coconuts, they are classified into two: the dwarf variant and the tall variant. The dwarf variants are coconuts from short trees; the tall variants are those from tall trees. You cannot talk about coconuts without talking about their sources.
The Dwarf Variants: From the name, you should be able to paint an image of what these coconuts and their trees would look . They generally do not exceed 30 feet and have a shorter lifespan than the tall variants. Also, their life expectancy is between forty-one to fifty-one years. They produce fruits early enough, usually after two years of being planted.
The Tall Variants: They have a longer lifespan of up to eighty to ninety years; they produce fruits after six to eight years of initial planting. They have more weather-resistant features than the dwarf variants.
Here Are Some Types Of Coconuts:
King Coconuts
This is popular in Sri Lanka. They undergo a growth period of six to nine months. They are orange, and have smooth and silky skins. They contain high nutritional benefits, especially calcium. This is why it is recommended for people with bone issues. It has a high sugar content due to its sweet, flavorful, and, refreshing liquid. and it contains more calcium than another citrus.
Malayan Yellow Dwarf Coconuts
These are found in tropical areas. Initially, they were planted in Malaysia, hence the name, ‘Malayan’. These oval-shaped coconuts are pale green when young and when they start to age, the leaf stalk and sprouts start to turn brown. They are about six to twelve inches in size and are produced three years after planting. Countries where these are commonly found are Malaysia, Thailand, and Brazil.
Macapuno Coconuts
These are rare types of coconuts. They have no water content, and their meats (the white part) are as soft as jelly. This is due to abnormal development. They are used as parts of delicacies in Asia. Some of these delicacies include cakes, candies, ice cream, and desserts. This is due to the coconut’s high level of sugar.
Fiji Dwarf Coconuts:
These coconuts come from a very short tree that one could stretch their hands to pluck them easily. Despite being a very short tree, they produce a large number of fruits which gives the picture of a canopy and an avenue to provide cover during the hot season. This makes gardeners plant them in their gardens to serve as beautification. The trees can withstand any weather and thrive in any condition. They are also remarkable for their high resistance to diseases. The United States agricultural research service called this coconut ‘ a tough nut’ due to the nature of its tree.
Golden Malay Coconuts
These are common in Bulgaria. When they become fully ripe, they turn red. They cannot resist the tropical region hence the need to grow them in a warm environment. The trees of these coconuts are twelve meters high. They are produced at an early stage and their flesh is used for cooking
Chowghat Orange Dwarf Coconuts
They take about three to four years before they grow. They are round and orange, just as their name implies. They contain little but very sweet water, consequently allowing for more meat. Their trees produce about sixty-five nuts per year after it has attained maturity.
Panama Tall Coconuts
They can be called Pacific Tall Coconuts. This variant is a ripe and juicy one. They can withstand cold and harsh weather conditions. They need a good intensity of the sun and constant moderate moisture to grow.
East Coast Coconuts
Their trees are often ninety feet tall and they are more widely cultivated than West Coast Coconuts. They start sprouting after six to eight years of initial planting. Sixty-eight percent of this coconut contains oil which can be used for health purposes, for skin, and food.
West Coast Coconuts
These coconuts take up to seven years to start growing. They hold a lot of water that can be made into coconut juice. This juice can then be fermented into sugar and be used preparing food and for soap making.
Tiptur Tall Coconuts
These are one of the best coconut variants for people who have gardens in their homes. This is due to its beauty. It is produced after six to seven years of initial planting and its tree produces about eighty-six nuts yearly. It is used for coconut oil and hair care treatment.
Conclusion:
Coconuts have become important fruits in human activities. Their benefits cannot be overemphasized, especially on two different occasions:
In the kitchen for cooking foods like coconut candies, ice cream, and coconut juice rice, among others.
For body care; Recently, most hair and body care products contain some amounts of coconuts.
