Coconuts/Niyog

Coconut is the most versatile of all plants that I ever knew. From the fruits, to the leaves, to the trunk almost all parts of it can be used for something.
The leaves we used for wrapping a delicacy we call “suman” (glutinous rice wrapped in coconut leaves). The inner part of the leaves is gathered and made into a broomstick for sweeping the yard. The trunk is now utilized as the “new wood” in making furnitures and in building houses.
Best of all is the fruit. Young coconuts are used for refreshments. The mature ones are used for making the coconut milk we’re all familiar with. It is also the source of coconut oil (copra industry) where it is manufactured as cooking oil and soap, etc. The husks from the coconuts are now also used in making coir which can be formed into rugs, or in the garden as liner for hanging baskets. The rest can be burned for firewood.
So many things I want to write about coconuts I even painted them as my tribute to the most versatile plant in the world, I think.

Similar Posts

  • Durian

    Durian is a fruit native to Malaysia and Indonesia and is famous for its distinct odor. Some can’t stand the smell they would not even try to eat it but for those who don’t mind the strong odor is in for a great treat because it tastes really good like eating a custard with almond…

  • Breadfruit

    Breadfruit or “rimas” as we call it in the Philippines can be prepared as a vegetable or a fruit but it has to be cooked. The Hawaiians call it “Ulu” and has been their staple food for decades. I like breadfruit the way my grandma prepares it. She steams it and cut them up and…

  • Kamias

      Kamias – Averrhoa bilimbi – also known as cucumber tree or tree sorrel is a very common fruit in the Philippines used as a condiment.  It is a fruit but it is so sour it is used mostly for cooking.  The kamias is like the tamarind, used in making sour-soup or sinigang. We used…

  • Dragon Fruit

    Dragon fruit also called Pitaya is a fruit from a cactus plant which I find interesting. This particular cactus called Hylocereus undatus is where you get this dragon fruit from. I tried to grow them in my garden but I never get a fruit, but at least managed to have a yellow flower which only…