In the tropics, the coconut tree has often been called “king of the trees”. The tree, known in Malay as pokok kelapa, not only provides shade, but also has different uses at different stages of its growth.
People of the tropics know that the juice of the young coconut makes a refreshing drink. It also has a medicinal use. When given to a child afflicted with chicken pox, it is believed to lessen the ‘heatiness’ of the body.
When the coconut ripens, the flesh is grated, mixed with water, and squeezed to obtain its milk called santan in Malay. Santan is to the Malay cook what soy sauce is to his Chinese counterpart. It is a base for cooking different types of curries and gravies, as well as for desserts, usually sweetened with palm sugar.
After the coconut gratings were squuezed for santan, we fed them to the family hens.
- excepted from my book Kampung Memories, a semi-memoir of childhood memories and Malay culture.
That was nice (I love coconut) When is your book out?
Thank you. It should be out in July. Reading about your book has also inspired me to make my book a reality – so thanks.:)
Ahh… thats nice to hear
Here in Sri Lanka they also use the spent coconut shavings to clean the floor. You strew it across the floor, and with a brush, or a flat broom, polish the entire floor area, particularly the corners. The residual oil in the shavings picks up all the dirt while at the same time imparting a beautiful shine to the floor. It also has the benefit of not needing to be buffed after application – one simply sweeps up the dirty shavings and deposits them in the compost. Unfortunately, this practice is becoming a thing of the past, except in remote villages – replaced by western style coloured floor wax.
Very interesting information. Thanks for sharing.
So, you’ve never heard of using it as a polisher, then? Glad I could add to your list:)
Great post and I grew up with coconut trees and dishes too… We did use the husk as a polisher and also the fronds to wrap food. It is versatile…
Thanks for sharing. The humble coconut tree is indeed versatile.:)