Given the appearance and characteristics of these fruits, the tongue involuntarily turns to call them nuts. But are coconuts really they, or do biologists have a different term for them?
Palm and coconut
Palm trees have been grown by people since ancient times. They quickly realized that their fruits can be used not only in food, but also in needlework. Because of this, trees began to be actively planted in Indonesia and other countries that have a large beach area, since only palm trees grow well on them.
After planting, their seeds take root, and a trunk begins to grow from them, which can reach up to 30 meters in height. A distinctive feature of palm trees is the complete absence of branches along the entire length, only at the very top there are lush leaves, between which the fruits gradually ripen.
Interesting fact: palm trees are Cocos trees. This name was given to them because of the three points located on each coconut, so that the fruits resembled the face of a monkey, which in Portuguese sounds like “coco”.
The palm begins to bear fruit only after 7-9 years after planting, and its total lifespan reaches 60 years. Coconuts ripen in large groups of 15-20 pieces for eight months. In a year, a large palm tree can bear up to 200 fruits.
Coconut structure
The outer soft layer of coconut consists mainly of coir fibers, which are widely used by mankind in the manufacture of ropes, brushes, bags and other rag products.
Under the fibers is a solid layer of coconut with three dots in the form of dots. They lead directly to the ovules, one of which can germinate. This “armor” reliably protects the fetus from external influences, even if the coconut fell into salt water and lies in it for a long time.
Under the shell is a white layer of pulp - copra. It is eaten and mixed with water to produce coconut milk. The center of the fetus is hollow, and a special fluid accumulates in it, which nourishes the ovule during ripening. It is also eaten or waited until a soft layer begins to release drops of oil, which is also actively used by mankind in various fields of production.
Spoiled coconuts may occasionally occur. Identifying a marriage among the fruits is quite simple. The coconut liquid in these ones is a little strange in taste, and if you break the shell and leave the white flesh in the air for several hours, it will turn red. This will be a clear signal that it is forbidden to eat it, but the fibers can still be used to make fabrics.
Is coconut a nut?
Coconut is not a nut, and this classification is erroneous. It refers to drupes - fruits that have a clear differentiation of the layers. They also include plums, apricots and other “plant products” that have bone inside.
An edible fruit, covered with a hard shell, is called a nut. There is no classification of layers. That is why coconut refers to drupes, becauseIt has a clear level structure: coir, shell, copra, coconut water.
