Fellow Little Readers

Coconut Facts

• The sailors aboard Vasco de Gama’s ships gave the coconut its name. They called it “Coco”, named after a grimacing face or hobgoblin. The brown, hairy husk and three face-like dimples made them think the seed looked like a sort of spirit. When the “coco” came to England, the suffix of nut was added and that’s how the name came about.

• Falling coconuts kill 150 people every year – 10 times the number of people killed by sharks.

• May 8^th is National Coconut Creme Pie Day.

• Coconut oil was the world’s leading vegetable oil until soybean oil took over in the 1960’s.

• There are more than 20 billion coconuts produced each year.

• During the Pacific War of 1941-45, coconut water was used to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers.

• Coconut oils contain MCT’s, a median chain triglycerides which are easy to digest. The oil is source of energy and has an accelerating effect on the metabolism. Coconut oils are very healthy and good for your heart.

Reference: Wikipedia: Fun Facts about Coconut