The Coconut Trade 

In many parts of the world, the coconut tree (palm) is considered a prized possession.  Most of the places around the globe are tropical where the coconut is a large part of life.  For example, the meat is eaten, the milk drank, and the coconuts used for creating furniture, cooking oil, utensils, baskets, and even cosmetics.  Experts believe the coconut made its way to Southeast Asia, India, Hawaii, Polynesia, South America, Florida, and the Pacific Islands via the ocean since they float very well.  Washing ashore, the coconuts took root and soon, massive palm trees began to sprout.  However, other experts believe that sea travelers and explorers brought the coconuts with them during travel.  Regardless, the coconut was and still is an important seed. 

The cultivation of coconuts is something we now see all around the world.  Although the origin is not 100% certain, most experts believe they first grew in Indonesia and Malaysia.  In India, coconuts have long been used for everyday life and are called Kalpa Vriksha, which translates to “tree that gives all that is necessary for living.”  Another theory about the coconut’s origin is that they came from East Africa since similar varieties have been found growing there. 

In 1254, coconuts made quite an impression on the explorer, Marco Polo when he arrived in the Nicobar Islands and Sumatra, India.  At that time, Polo called the “Pharaoh’s nut”, a reference to the Egyptian ruler.  Because of this, it appears as if Polo knew that Arab merchants took coconuts to East Africa from Egypt during the 6^th century.  Interestingly, the Arab traders would carry coconut shells known as Nux Indica to England, trying to get there before the sailors from Portugal. 

Possibly sometime in the 14^th century, it is believed that the Maldives used coconuts trees for building magnificent ships, which meant the entire tree was used for all aspects of the ship (ropes, hull, masts, sails, etc.).  However, a Venice nobleman named Antonio Pigafetta explored the world in 1519, trying to locate Spice Islands.  The ship they sailed on, the Magellan, hit major storms on the ocean and people became very ill and died. 

Spotting the island of Guam, they tried to go ashore.  However, Pigafetta and others onboard were met with angry natives who wore special masks made from coconut shells wile shaking rattles also made from coconuts and human bones.  Negotiating carefully, Magellan pushed away from Guam with new provisions and a nice coconut supply.  In a journal kept by Pigafetta, he wrote, “Coconuts are the fruit of the palm tree and we have bread, wine, oil, and vinegar, so they get all these things from the said trees.  With two of these palm trees, a whole family of ten can sustain itself.  They lasted for a hundred years”. 

Shortly after the discovery by the people on board the Magellan, Sir Francis Drake made his way to Cape Verde Islands in 1577.  Also impressed with coconuts, he too wrote valuable words in his journal, “Amongst other things we found here, a kind of fruit called Cocos, which because it is not commonly known with us in England, I thought good to make some description of it.”  Over the years, other explorers also discovered and wrote about the coconut, thus the interest was building.  With experimentation, people began to discover all the amazing uses from the coconut to include applying charcoal from the shell to use as toothpaste, using coconut water (milk) to remove wrinkles, and even using coconut root for medicinal purposes. 

With sugar on the rise, resulting in the creation of magnificent cakes, pies, and other pastries, it was not long before all types of fruits were used to include coconut meat.  Before long, traders of spice and tea began shipping whole coconuts, heading to London.  Then in the late 19^th century, J.H. Vavasseur and Company located in France established operations to ship coconuts to Europe.  The meat was shredded and dried, which helped with packing, while avoiding spoilage.  Soon, 6,000 tons of dried coconut was being shipped and just 10 years later, that number had increased to 10,000. 

The Europeans loved coconuts but it was not until 1895 when the United States showed interest.  At that time, Franklin Baker, a flour miller from Philadelphia had received a shipment of coconuts, a payment for debt owed by a businessperson from Cuba.  To get rid of the coconut before it spoiled, he made it available to pastry chefs, commercial confectioners, and even people who loved cooking at home.  To shred and dry the coconut meat, a special factory was established. 

Then in the early 20^th century, something wonderful happened – coconut custard and coconut cream pie was born.  Following was coconut frosting and all types of wonderful treats.  With this, we now find successful coconut plantations in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, India, and the Philippines, all heavily involved with the coconut trade.  Even the United States has imported coconuts coming primarily from the Philippines, dating back to 1898.  If you look at islands such as Zanzibar in Africa, they depend on coconuts for food but also for cash crops. 

For hundreds of years, the coconut food and water has kept natives alive.  The husk has been made to create twisted cords that were then stitched and made into boat hulls.  In other words, coconuts have been considered survival food, keeping people alive when rice paddies or cornfields were destroyed from acts of God.  Prior to 1950, approximately 60^ of coconuts shipped to the United States were whole but today, the majority of coconuts coming into the country have already been shredded and dried. 

Remember, young coconuts have amazingly sweet water (milk) and the meat is thing but soft and sweet.  However, the mature coconut is used primarily for the firm meat that is shredded and dried, then used for baking, and the wonderful, nutty flavor.  In addition, mature coconuts offer higher oil content, which is why coconut cream, coconut oil, and coconut milk all come from the mature seed.