All About Coconut
The singular and iconic coconut is perhaps one of the most beloved and useful fruits there is. This humble drupe is a mainstay in cuisines in the United States and around the world, used in both sweet and savory dishes, delicious beverages, candies and more.
Beneath their hard, somewhat hairy shells lies a firm, meaty fruit with a mild nutty flavor that can be prepared in endless ways. Coconuts also provide us with a tasty, natural water inside that’s prized for its nutrition and thirst quenching deliciousness.
Coconut is quite popular in the United States, but not everyone has had fresh-from-the-husk coconut, and we think that needs to change. At FruitStand, we look forward to sending you a beautiful package of these extraordinary fruits from our small, specialty farms partners. Keep reading to learn all about coconut!
It may surprise some people to know that coconuts aren’t considered nuts at all! In fact, these fuzzy fruits are botanically classified as drupes or stone fruit!
If you’ve only ever had coconut in processed candy form, you may be surprised by the mild, nutty flavor of fresh coconut. It has a slight natural sweetness with a firm texture. The white flesh takes on a deeper flavor when its natural sugars are toasted in the cooking process. Inside, coconuts have a lightly sweet water that contains tons of beneficial nutrients, known and loved for their superior hydrating properties. Only slightly more viscous than water, coconut water has a translucent white color.
Coconuts are roundish fruits that have a unique, fuzzy brown shell. Ranging from about the size of a grapefruit to the size of a soccer ball, coconuts weigh about three pounds. Under the shell is a layer not quite an inch thick of white coconut meat. This meat has a firm, yet sliceable texture and a mild nutty flavor. At the center of the coconut is it’s signature liquid called coconut water. Coconuts contain about ¾ cup of this mild and flavorful water that has a translucent white color.
More often than not, a coconut will be ripe by the time it gets to your table. To be sure, hold the coconut and shake it a little. If you can feel water moving around inside, that means it's ready to eat. Ripe coconuts will also make a hollow sound when you give ‘em a good, strong finger tap.
Coconuts are grown on trees are called coconut palms (Cocos nucifera), which can reach up to 100 feet high. It’s not certain where coconuts first grew, but today they’re cultivated throughout the world in humid, tropical climates. Today, coconuts are produced in the United States, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia and the Middle East.
It’s not certain where coconuts originate, however they are cultivated throughout the world in tropical climates with steady rainfall. Today, coconuts grow in the United States, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia and the Middle East.
Coconuts grow on trees called coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) that can reach up to 100 feet high. They grow in sandy soils and have notoriously fragile root systems. Coconut palms love lots of sunlight and humidity, and tend to grow more fruit in these conditions.
While coconut season is generally considered to be October through December, they’re often cultivated and available year-round.
Whether a coconut is certified organic or not will depend on the farm where it was grown. At FruitStand, we only partner with the best specialty farms for exceptional quality of produce. When each harvest is available, we'll tell you whether the fruit is considered organic or conventional.
Still curious about coconut? Send us your questions and coconut cracking videos any time on Instagram @Fruitstandcom! To be the first to know when FruitStand is shipping fresh coconuts, join our free Facebook Group here.