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COCONUT THE TREE OF LIFE: USES, nUTRITION AND HEALTH BENEFITS
Coconut or in Latin is Cocos nucifera L. is a fruit originating from the tropics which is located along the equator. Coconut trees in Indonesia can be cultivated because they can be grown anywhere, therefore we can easily find coconut trees grown in coastal areas as well as areas around the foot of the mountains. Coconut can not only be used as a whole from the fruit, but from coconut husks, coconut fibers, and even all parts of the coconut tree if used and produced properly can increase the selling value of coconut and the coconut tree itself.
Coconut fruit has several parts, namely coconut husk, coconut shell, fruit flesh and fruit juice. Coconut flesh has a lot of fat, protein and carbohydrates. Especially fat, because fat is the most content after water. The level of fat content in coconuts depends on the age of the coconut, the method of harvesting and also the variety of the coconut itself. The older coconut meat will increase the fat content in the coconut meat, as well as the carbohydrates contained in it. Coconut also contains good protein because it is a protein that is easy to digest in the body. The protein content in coconut meat ranges from 5-7%. Coconut protein has a sufficient amount of amino acids containing sulfur and tryptophan but a small amount of lysine.
Fruit can not always only be consumed when the fruit is ripe, for coconuts can be consumed in different ways every time. Coconuts can be consumed from young coconuts to old coconuts. Young coconuts are usually consumed directly and are often used for drinks from coconut water and for food from coconut meat, not infrequently this coconut is also used for the basic ingredients of processed foods. Old coconut which has a hard and thick flesh character can also be consumed and is usually processed by turning the selapa into coconut milk or into grated coconut. Not only the fruit, the by-products of coconut such as coconut fiber can be processed into brickets which can later be used as a fuel such as charcoal.