Coconut is found in a fortune all throughout the Maldives. The face of almost every island is decorated by the view of coconut palms. Maldives being in the tropics provides the perfect soil for coconut palms to grow.
Coconut is historically an important food source to Maldivians. The fruity part (the fleshy endosperm) of the coconut, coconut water and the milk and oil extracted from the kernel (endosperm) are all used as food. Milk and oil are very important for culinary purposes and therefore used in everyday lives of Maldivians.
Virgin coconut oil is extracted in large scale from over-ripe, dried coconut kernel (copra). The kernel separates from the stony shell when the water inside has dried up. In this state the kernel appears grayish white rather than white and no longer gives milk but oil. To extract the oil, the copra is sun dried and grated or grinded and boiled in water. Modern techniques of coconut oil extraction involve crushing the copra using machinery.
Coconut oil can also be yielded from coconut milk. Coconut milk is obtained by squeezing the grated kernel of coconut. The milk is then passed through a sieve and collected. It tastes sweet and is used in cooking curries and making desserts. When boiled, coconut milk thickens into oil which is used in cooking (e.g. for frying, in sauces etc). The oil turns into butter when it is kept for about three months. Traditionally, Maldivians used this butter, in place of the oil, in cooking.
In earlier days, coconut oil was used in lamps before electricity was available in the Maldives. Coconut oil is rich in glycerin and it is used to make soaps, shampoos, lotions, creams etc. Soap making using coconut oil has a lot of potential in it. Before hair oils, creams and gels were introduced to Maldivians, coconut oil was used as hair oil. Women often used to rub or massage their hair with coconut oil as it is believed to strengthen and prevent hair fall.
The healing properties of coconut oil have been used by Maldivian for a long time. In earlier days coconut oil was used to ease pain and aches and in certain ailments. Coconut oil is still used as an ingredient in herbal, traditional medicines made in the country. It is used as it is on wounds and ulcers and rubbed on the skin as a remedy for itch. Coconut oil consists predominantly of medium-chain fatty acids making the oil a unique, healthy and nutritious food.
Coconut is historically an important food source to Maldivians. The fruity part (the fleshy endosperm) of the coconut, coconut water and the milk and oil extracted from the kernel (endosperm) are all used as food. Milk and oil are very important for culinary purposes and therefore used in everyday lives of Maldivians.
Virgin coconut oil is extracted in large scale from over-ripe, dried coconut kernel (copra). The kernel separates from the stony shell when the water inside has dried up. In this state the kernel appears grayish white rather than white and no longer gives milk but oil. To extract the oil, the copra is sun dried and grated or grinded and boiled in water. Modern techniques of coconut oil extraction involve crushing the copra using machinery.
Coconut oil can also be yielded from coconut milk. Coconut milk is obtained by squeezing the grated kernel of coconut. The milk is then passed through a sieve and collected. It tastes sweet and is used in cooking curries and making desserts. When boiled, coconut milk thickens into oil which is used in cooking (e.g. for frying, in sauces etc). The oil turns into butter when it is kept for about three months. Traditionally, Maldivians used this butter, in place of the oil, in cooking.
In earlier days, coconut oil was used in lamps before electricity was available in the Maldives. Coconut oil is rich in glycerin and it is used to make soaps, shampoos, lotions, creams etc. Soap making using coconut oil has a lot of potential in it. Before hair oils, creams and gels were introduced to Maldivians, coconut oil was used as hair oil. Women often used to rub or massage their hair with coconut oil as it is believed to strengthen and prevent hair fall.
The healing properties of coconut oil have been used by Maldivian for a long time. In earlier days coconut oil was used to ease pain and aches and in certain ailments. Coconut oil is still used as an ingredient in herbal, traditional medicines made in the country. It is used as it is on wounds and ulcers and rubbed on the skin as a remedy for itch. Coconut oil consists predominantly of medium-chain fatty acids making the oil a unique, healthy and nutritious food.
