A gentle breeze stirs your hair. It's a sunny but mild afternoon. White sand gently seeps through your toes. Water is so clear you can see the schools of small fish passing by. The sun does not even burn through the shade of palms. You sip a fresh coconut juice straight from the fruit. Heaven, right?
Coconuts have existed on our planet for at least 3,000 years and were seen by dinosaurs. So they are about that old!
There is no single opinion on whether coconut is a fruit or a nut, but we agree that it's healthy and delicious. The whole piece is used - from juice inside to fiber coming from the shell.
Everything you need to know about coconuts
Top benefits of coconuts:
Health benefits of coconuts:
- coconut water restores strength and stamina;
- consuming coconut strengthens the immune system;
- coconut oil improves vision;
- milk aids with weight loss.
Medicinal benefits of coconuts:
- coconut has an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect;
- its water may substitute saline if needed, helps in reducing fever;
- milk lowers blood pressure and cholesterol;
- oil helps with calcium absorption.
Beauty and wellness benefits of coconuts:
- oil in skincare smoothes out wrinkles;
- both water and oil give a glow to the skin;
Technical use of coconuts:
- ropes, mats, fishing nets;
- filling for mattresses.
The most common uses of coconuts, however, include the beauty industry and food.
Coconuts and beauty
Coconut is rich in vitamins, organic acids, and antioxidants which have anti-aging effects on the human body. In addition, consuming this nut helps to smooth out fine wrinkles, eliminate inflammation and acne, even out skin tone and make it soft by touch.
Coconut water is excellent for moisturizing all skin types, helping to deal with dark spots and under-eye circles. Coconut water benefits are that it whitens teeth and prevents the formation of plaque.
In combination with such organic ingredients as honey, banana, avocado, or rice flour, coconut pulp improves skin and hair conditions when used in masks and wraps.
Is coconut milk good for you? Coconut milk and oil both have an anti-aging effect, as the components of these products remove free radicals from the whole body when applied to the skin.
If your business is related to cosmetics or wellness, you may check our collection of coconut stock images and purchase them for your website or blog. By the way, did you know that a body massage with coconut oil improves skin tone and helps fight the signs of premature aging?
Coconuts and food
Thanks to its unique taste and aroma, tropical fruit is used in cuisines all around the world. Coconut pulp is obtained from ripe nuts and used in desserts, salads, and soups. Coconut milk is the basis for many Asian dishes. It is made by mixing coconut pulp with water. Then, the liquid part is added to soups (for example, the famous Tom Yum), and fish curries. It also makes the perfect base for such great cocktails as Piña Colada or Coconut Margarita.
Coconut oil is obtained from the squeezed pulp and has a sweetish taste. This product can be a good substitute for sunflower oil or even butter in preparation for our usual dishes and baking. Along with dietary fiber, macro-, and microelements, coconut oil contains less fat. As a result, one coconut oil benefit is that our body absorbs much more nutrients from the food we eat.
Coconut flakes are added to chocolate, candy, cookies, cakes, and ice cream. In addition, they go well with fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat. They do a splendid breading for bananas, cauliflower, and fish filets. Coconut flakes are good to add to sauces and salads for a texture and unique flavor. Remember, adding coconut to your dish may turn it into a culinary masterpiece!
Suppose you own a culinary blog or keep an account related to cooking or a healthy lifestyle. In that case, we offer a fine selection of coconut images that may improve the visual part and add visitors to your website or social network account.
How to pick a proper coconut
Coconuts are sold in two states: green and overripe brown. Green coconuts are usually delivered as quickly as possible and harvested while young. However, they are more challenging to clean, and they cost significantly more if imported. Brown coconuts are more affordable. They are sold already peeled. When picking a coconut, it should be free of cracks and punctures, and the liquid sound should be heard well when shaking. By weight, the coconut should be heavy. The shell should be tight, not squeezed or sagged from being pressed with a finger.
Once you buy coconut, do not store it but consume it immediately. Turn the nut with three holes towards you. Insert a thin knife or screwdriver into the central hole, turn the nut over, and drain the coconut water. Next, you need to remove the shell. Of course, you may simply smash it with a hammer, but there is a more accurate way. With a heavy knife or hammer, please tap on the entire surface of the coconut, holding it in your hand. Periodically it needs to be turned by the other side. Gradually, the shell will crack and go off, and you may cut the peeled fruit with a knife.
The shelf life of the opened coconut is 2-3 days in the refrigerator if stored in an airtight container. To prolong the storage, you may grate and dry the pulp and store it in a jar with a tight lid at room temperature to prevent absorbing any odors. If you need to buy ready-made coconut flakes, pay attention to the contents, as the product should not contain any other ingredients than coconut.
Easy coconut cookie recipe
At last, we would like to offer you a fast and effortless recipe for delicious cookies that any coconut lover will appreciate. Made in minutes, they are delightful and contain only three ingredients.
For 12 coconut cookies, you will need one medium egg, almost 1 cup of coconut flakes (add gradually), and 4 tbsp granulated sugar.
Whisk eggs with sugar, and add in coconut flakes. Mix everything thoroughly, split it into equal parts, and give them a ball shape. Place coconut balls on the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 mins under a temperature of 374°F.
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