Coconut Carnival - Join the Fun on World Coconut Day

Warm Welcome Kinder Stars,

You all must have heard of Independence Day, Republic Day, Teacher’s Day, Children’s Day, and Yoga Day. Have you ever heard of World Coconut Day? And why do we celebrate World Coconut Day?

World Coconut Day is celebrated in major coconut-producing countries, which are Indonesia, Philippines, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Kenya. World Coconut Day is commemorated to promote awareness of coconuts, their benefits, and their uses in different industries.

India is the third largest producer of Coconut, followed by Indonesia and Philippines. The genesis of World Coconut Day can be traced back to 2009. Every year September 2^nd is celebrated as World Coconut Day to recognize the opening of the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community. 

Nutritional Facts of Coconut

Before we dive into World Coconut Day, let's explore the benefits of Coconut. Coconut is a nutrient-rich treasure and is a rich source of vitamins B, C, and E. It is also a rich source of minerals like Manganese, Copper, Selenium, Iron, Zinc, Phosphorous, Potassium, and Magnesium. Coconut is also a good source of fiber.

Source: Nutritional Facts of Coconut from Herbazest

Coconut Products

Different products of Coconut include coconut water, coconut milk, copra-the dried coconut, Coconut oil, desiccated coconut, coconut chips, coconut cream, coconut butter, Coconut sugar, coconut flour, and coconut fatty soap.

Coconut shell can also be used to make coconut shell powder, and coconut shell charcoal.

Source: Dieticians Online - Coconut Products

In India, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Odisha are the largest producers of coconut. With Karnataka being the leading producer of coconut in 2022.

Source: CNBCTV18  - Leading States of India in Coconut Production

India even exports (sending to other countries) coconuts and coconut products to different countries like Vietnam, the UAE, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and the USA.

World Coconut Day

The main idea behind World Coconut Day is to make lots of coconuts for a long, long time! How do we take care of the coconut trees and the land where coconuts grow?

We need to pick and choose the strongest variety of coconuts that stay healthy even when infected by pests i.e., bugs or bad weather. Also, we need to do crop rotation, which means planting some coconut-friendly plants to keep the soil more strong. Water management is very important for coconut farming.

On the World Coconut Day, people have lots of fun things to do! Exhibitions showcasing coconut products, and food counters where chefs prepare yummy coconut dishes. Planting coconut trees and a tour of the coconut farms are also part of the World Coconut Day celebrations.

Now that we know, why and how we celebrate World Coconut Day? Let’s see some of the famous coconut recipes in South India.

Coconut Delicacies

Coconut Burfi, Thengai Paal Sadham (Coconut milk rice), sweet coconut dumplings, Thengai Biscuit (Coconut biscuit), Coconut sambal, Palappam, Chuttaracha Thenga Chammanthi, coconut Ladoo, kobari vundalu, coconut payasam, and of course the instant coconut chutney that we relish with masala dosa, and Mysore Bonda.

Sources: Raks Kitchen, Flavour of Food, Cook2Nourish, Food Network, Spice Cravings, Cook like Priya

Also, check out story books related to Coconuts.

1. "The Coconut Monk" by Thich Nhat Hanh
2. "Coco the Coconut" by Nanci Massey
3. "A Coconut Named Bob" by Austin Weaver
4. "Coconut Kind of Day" by Lynn Joseph
5. "Lola Plants a Garden" by Anna McQuinn (Includes a section on planting a coconut!)

Let’s go Coco-nuts on this World Coconut Day with flavourful Ambrosial Coconut Delights!!!

Also Read One Earth One Family – Save Earth