The wonder-fruit

[953 nut 60,592]

You can’t make a piña colada or a decent Thai curry without it, its water makes a great recovery drink, and its fibrous husk, when burned, repels mosquitos — these are just three of many excellent reasons to celebrate World Coconut Day on September 2. One of nature’s most versatile products, the coconut plant (and its various parts) can be used for food and drink, cosmetic preparations, and decorating. Some coconut proponents (cocoproponents?) even claim that the fruit’s oil can reverse dental decay — if you swish it around in your mouth for 20 minutes a day! Most of us aren’t comfortable with a mouthful of oil, no matter whence that oil comes or what it’s purported to do. But we can still get caught up in the coconut craze. Whether you’re stuck on a deserted island or comfortable in your own home, here are some (relatively normal) ideas for using this tropical wonderfruit.

 

[Beap52 1,520]

Coconut shells are also used as charcoal for cooking and grilling in Asian countries.  In the Philippines, coconut hulls are burned inside 55 gallon barrels and once charcoal is produced sold along the roadside. It seems that there was some commercially produced charcoal for sale in stores in town but we just bought ours from roadside sellers or the city market. 

[EB-80/8inPA 1,881]

I believe the shells are the feedstock for producing activated charcoal for filtration.

[clueless 3,287]

Pure coconut oil is some amazing stuff. I have used the shells when smoking chicken and pork along with other hard woods, I didn't notice much difference in the taste with them.