From the Land of the Coconut

Take a look at this excerpt from the travel writings of Marco Polo, a Venetian traveler from the 13th century:

“Here, from a tree resembling a palm, a most remarkable drink with both sweetness and intoxicating properties is extracted. The fruit of this tree is called the Indian nut. These fruits are as large as a man’s head and resemble the same shape. Inside, there is a white, sweet, and pleasant substance. At the core of this is a liquid as clear as pure water, sweet and cooling. I have never known a drink with such delightful taste.”

Have the readers guessed which tree this is? It is none other than the coconut palm, the official tree of Kerala. Known as the Kalpavriksha (the wish-fulfilling divine tree) because it gives everything, the coconut tree is celebrated for its unmatched utility. In recognition of its importance, World Coconut Day is observed on September 2 every year.

The Heavenly Tree – The Tree That Reached Earth from Heaven

There is a legend that the coconut tree was brought to Earth by Parashurama from heaven. Because it was brought from the heavens, the coconut tree is sometimes referred to as the “Heavenly Tree” (Swarga Tharu). Every part of the coconut tree is useful in one way or another.

It is said that the tree came to India from the south, from Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka), and hence it was originally called “Thenkaai” in Tamil — meaning southern fruit. Over time, the word Thenkaai evolved into Thenga (the Malayalam word for coconut). Belonging to the Arecaceae family, the scientific name of the coconut palm is Cocos nucifera.

Different Varieties of Coconut Trees

Coconut trees are classified into two main categories based on their growth: Tall varieties (growing up to 20–30 meters) and Dwarf varieties. There are also hybrid varieties like Laksha Ganga, Ananda Ganga, and Kera Ganga that are currently cultivated. In India, tall and East Coast tall varieties are the most widely cultivated. Dwarf varieties tend to start bearing fruit earlier than tall ones, but they generally have a shorter lifespan.

Planting and Spacing

The Southwest monsoon season is ideal for planting coconut seedlings. If the soil has rocky sub-layers, dig pits of 1.2 m x 1.2 m x 1.2 m (length, breadth, and depth). Fill up to 60 cm of the pit with a mixture of cow dung powder, ash, and loose soil.

In loamy soil, pits of 1 m x 1 m x 1 m are recommended. In this case, fill up to 50 cm with the same soil mixture. Before filling the pit, place two layers of coconut husk at the bottom to retain moisture. When planting coconuts scientifically, the recommended spacing is 7.5 meters between each plant.

A Simple Name and Numerous Uses

The straight trunk of the coconut tree is used for making household items, doors, and rafters, and also as firewood. Coconut is an indispensable food ingredient for the people of Kerala. The white kernel of the coconut is the edible part we use. Both tender coconuts and mature coconuts are used. Coconut milk and coconut water are used in cooking and also as drinks in Ayurvedic treatment. Dried coconut, known as copra, is crushed to extract coconut oil, and the remaining copra cake is used as cattle feed.

Tender coconuts are consumed for their water. Coconut water is nature’s glucose drink. The shell and husk of the coconut are used in handicrafts and for many other purposes. Various parts of the coconut tree are also used as firewood. In addition to being used as a water purifier, coconut shell charcoal is used in incense boxes & old iron boxes (non-electric) and can be made at home. The shell is also used to make ladles and decorative items. The fibers from the husk are used to make coir and coir products. In the past, palm thatch from the coconut tree was commonly used to thatch roofs.