Whether driving along the countryside, or making your way through the urban communities one common sight will surely be a coconut tree, standing tall and majestic in the cool Jamaican breeze. Such a common feature of the Jamaican landscape one would never imagine just how useful and important coconuts are a part of the Jamaican society and culture. Today we take a look at five (5) uses of coconut in Jamaican culture.
Food
The coconut is used as the main ingredient in several delicious mouth watering Jamaican pastries such as Gizzada, Coconut Drops, and Toto. The milk is used in rice and peas to give it that rich Jamaican flavour. The jelly, which is the meat of the coconut, can also be eaten. And you haven’t had curry until you’ve had curry chicken in coconut sauce. It is also used to make mackerel rundown.
Coconut water
In the words of Chronixx; “coconut wata fi wash off yuh heart”. Apart from the many health benefits associated with coconut water, it’s rather refreshing and can quench any thirst. No stop on a road trip across Jamaica is as vital as the stop at the jelly man for a cold unprocessed natural coconut water. P.S you haven’t had Jamaican rum until you’ve chased it with coconut water. Here’s another fun fact in 100ml of coconut water, there is more potassium than most sports and energy drinks.
Coconut oil
The oil made from coconut is multifunctional. It can be used for cooking and adds a unique flavour and smell to your dish. It is also used in hair care products such as, an anti-frizz agent. Coconut oil is a major component in skin care products. It is a natural antibacterial, and has moisturizing and antifungal properties which will benefit your face and a great way to moisturize your skin. It not only makes skin soft and supple, but it can also fade scars and stretch marks. This oil has a lower calorie content than other fats and is used to produce energy rather than being stored as body fat. In other words, It is a useful weight-loss agent.
Medicine
Apart from the many uses above, coconut oil also has medicinal properties. It provides a nutritional source of quick energy, enhancing physical and athletic performance. It can be used to soothe rashes and burns! Coconut oil has three acids (lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid) that have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. This helps to speed up healing time and wards off bacteria. It is also said to be an effective soothing agent for acne and eczema.
Craft Items
If you’re not amazed by all the useful things, we definitely hope this will blow you away. From making those cool straw hats to wear while walking along the beach. The shell of the coconut can be used for a variety of craft items, such purses, wine glasses to mugs.
Did you know?
The scientific name for coconut is Cocos Nucifera
The husk of the coconut was used as a brush to clean and shine wooden floors
It’s estimated that approximately a third of the world’s population depends on coconut to some degree for food
Coconut water is better than many processed baby feeds – contains healthy lauric acid, a key nutrient also present in mother’s milk.
During World War II, in the Pacific, medical military personnel regularly used coconut water, syphoned directly from the nut, to give emergency transfusions to wounded soldiers.
Coconut water is best consumed fresh as once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses some of its nutritional benefits and begins to ferment.
