Is a Coconut a Nut

Those asking, "Is a coconut a nut?" are asking a good question. With a name that combines coco and nut, and a hard shell, the average person may conclude that a coconut is indeed a nut, and they'd be right. Coconuts are classified as nuts, but with a bit of a difference

It's easy to answer the question, "Is a coconut a nut?" Botanists classify coconuts as nuts. The outer, hard shell is covered with a fibrous husk. The three eyes or eye holes are actually where the coconut germinated on the tree and are useful to know in order to crack open the coconut. Inside the coconut, the white meat is akin to the fleshy part of a walnut or another nut. The hollow, interior space is filled with coconut water, a liquid.

Coconuts are one of the most useful plants on the planet, with many parts used for everything from making household utensils to cooking. The rough, outer hull of the coconut shell can be made into coir, and in India this is transformed into rope. It's also used to make mattresses and many other household items.

Coconut meat or the white, fleshy part of the coconut is used at various stages of growth. Before maturity, it has a gelatinous texture and is sometimes called coconut jelly. Later on, the rich, white flesh is removed and eaten, or mixed with warm water and ground to make coconut milk.

Throughout Asian and tropical countries, coconuts are a vital and rich part of the local economy, diet and culture. Coconuts are grown throughout the world anywhere the temperature remains above 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Coconut palms cannot take the cold weather, and as such there are only a handful of places in the United States where they can be grown: Hawaii, southern Florida, and small areas of Texas. The largest commercial producers of coconut for the world market include the Philippines, Indonesia and India.

Many Asian recipes call for the use of coconut, coconut milk or some part of the coconut plant. In many countries where coconuts are a staple part of the diet, vegetarianism and veganism is a common dietary practice, and there are many recipes that use delicious coconut and are safe for non-meat eaters to enjoy.

Although coconuts have gotten a bad reputation as a calorie-rich food, there are many health benefits from ingesting coconut products, specifically coconut oil. Coconut milk is also a healthy beverage and food to include in the vegetarian and vegan diet.

If you'd like to incorporate some coconut into your diet, here are some vegetarian and vegan recipes that use coconut.

• I V Cooking features classic Indian cuisine that incorporates coconut ingredients. If you love Indian food, try the coconut chutney recipe!
• The International Vegetarian Union features a vegan coconut and tofu curry recipe that mimics favorite restaurant flavors.
• Ashy Macbean features a large number of coconut based recipes. From coconut rice to cauliflower with coconut and lemon, vegetarians can create a coconut-flavored feast.
• Savvy Vegetarian offers a wonderful oatmeal and coconut vegan cookie recipe. Egg free, dairy free, but taste-full cookies await you in this recipe!
• Fat Free Vegan Cooking offers a Thai coconut soup recipe. If you've ever been to a Thai restaurant, you'll know that coconut soup is a staple on most menus. With these instructions, you can recreate the classic taste of coconut soup at home.

Whether you're vegan or vegetarian, wondering 'is a coconut a nut', or just wondering how to use those odd looking cannonballs called coconuts in the grocery store, trying a coconut today. They're not as tough a nut to crack as you may think!

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