You’ve heard of putting the lime in the coconut – but have you ever heard of a lime coconut?
That’s right, these nutty sensations actually come in all colors, shapes and sizes, including a fun electric green (Great at parties!) and creamsicle orange, aside from their usual brown coat.
But it’s what’s on the inside that really keeps us coming back for more – and thankfully, when it comes to coconuts, there’s plenty of varieties to come back for.
From their husky outsides all the way to their sweet, cool heart, coconuts are a one of a kind fruit – literally.
The trees they’re borne from are the only member of the cocos genus, a designation which takes its name from the Spanish and Portuguese word “coco,” meaning head or skull. (Most likely because that’s what coconuts resemble, but possibly also a tribute to the body part most in danger of getting clonked by one.)
Though their scientific name is a description of the fruit – or, technically, a drupe – coconuts are more typically sorted by the characteristics of their trees, which are grown in several different varieties all across the world.
Different types of coconut trees, naturally, yield different types of coconuts – but to be honest, there’s hardly a variety we’re not crazy about.
Okay, we highly doubt you’ll see any of these trees following Snow White around.
When it comes to trees, size is truly relative – and this “stunted” type of coconut tree can grow as high as 60 feet. (Most of them top out around 16, however, the measly height of a two-story building.)
In terms of lifespan, these trees sadly get the short end of the stick, only hanging around for an average of 40 to 50 years. Still, while they live, they give generously of their fruit.
Their coconuts are on the smaller side too, typically maxing out around only 3 oz. But they make up for it with some punched up pizzazz, coming in a spread of tropical colors ranging from yellow to green to orange.
And though they are but little, the nuts—which grow across Southeast Asia and the South Pacific—are anything but short on taste.
Some more famous cultivars include:
With an average height of 90 feet, we guess we know where these trees’ name comes from. (And how a 30-footer could be considered a “dwarf.”)
But it’s not just the trees themselves that are tall – these coconut palms can grow at altitudes topping 3,000 ft., giving them one of the best vantage points around.
With their super height comes a strange super strength, making these types of coconut trees particularly durable during the high wind scenario of a tropical storm. And their sturdiness also gives them a longer lifespan (up to 90 years), and plenty of time to grow big, beautiful coconuts.
The fruit from tall coconut trees is typically medium-to-large sized, with many attaining the full, brown husk that marks the advanced age of a coconut fruit.
Though, tall coconut trees also produce yellow, orange and green coconuts, in a number of varietals, including:
But no matter their size, we’re just happy that in most cases, the coconut doesn’t fall far from the tree.