Coconut

Coconut is the fruit of the tropical coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), cultivated in tropical regions around the world. The firm white flesh hidden beneath the hard brown shell has a mildly sweet, nutty flavour and a firm texture. In the kitchen, it is used shredded or dried in cakes, biscuits, muesli and desserts, and also pressed for coconut oil or used to make coconut milk and cream. Fresh flesh is used in tropical cuisine as a side dish or as part of both sweet and savoury dishes. Coconut is rich in saturated fats, fibre, B vitamins and minerals such as manganese and copper. It is a popular ingredient in Asian, Caribbean and Mediterranean cuisines.