Coconut pieces (dried, sugared)

The tropical coconut palm typically grows to a height of 25 meters and thrives in tropical regions of the world, for example in the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Africa, and along the coasts of South America. The coconut palm is believed to have originated in Southeast Asia, from where it spread via water, as coconuts can travel considerable distances on water. In many tropical countries, the coconut palm is called the "tree of the sky" because it has been one of the most important sources of food and raw materials for millennia. The wood can be used to build huts, the leaves for roofing, the fibers for weaving baskets and mats, and of course, the coconuts themselves for food.

Coconuts, which are actually drupes and not nuts, are among the most nutritious foods available. Due to their high content of all essential nutrients, fats, proteins, and water, one could theoretically subsist solely on coconuts for an extended period. Particularly noteworthy are their magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, and vitamins B and E. The white, 1 to 2 cm thick flesh of the coconut encloses a cavity containing delicious coconut water and is itself enclosed by a very hard shell and a reddish-brown skin. This is surrounded by a thick, dry, fibrous layer, which is then bounded on the outside by a thin, greenish-yellow, leathery rind.

The flesh of the coconut can be processed into coconut oil, coconut fat, and margarine, and eaten fresh or dried. Shredded coconut is primarily used for cooking and baking, or for sweets and desserts, while coconut chips or cubes are perfect for snacking.