Narikel (Coconut)

Coconut is one of very versatile and indispensable food items for millions of inhabitants in South and South-East Asia. It is one of the most sought-after ingredients in the kitchen since it is employed in almost every recipe prepared in these parts of the world. Coconut is a very versatile and indispensable food item for most people in the tropical belt. It is a complete food rich in calories, vitamins, and minerals. A medium-sized coconut carrying 400 g edible meat and some 30-150 ml of water may provide almost all the daily-required essential minerals, vitamins, and energy of an average-sized individual. Coconut water is a very refreshing drink to beat tropical summer thirst. The juice is packed with simple sugar, electrolytes, minerals, and bioactive compounds such as cytokinin, and enzymes such as acid phosphatase, catalase, dehydrogenase, peroxidase, polymerases, etc. Altogether, these enzymes aid in digestion and metabolism. It is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as folates, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, and pyridoxine. These vitamins are essential in the sense that the body requires them from external sources to replenish. Coconut meat and water contain a very good amount of potassium. 100 g of fresh meat contains 356 mg% or 7.5% of the daily required levels of potassium. A full-sized coconut weighs about 1.44 kg (3.2 lb).