History of Coconuts & how it is used in Indian food

From enhancing the beauty of the serene coasts around the world to providing countless benefits, coconuts occupy a special place among the items used at homes and elsewhere.  The heritage of coconuts dates back to thousands of years in history. 

History of Coconut

The coconut palm has gained brilliant epithets like  the ‘tree of life’, ‘tree of abundance’, ‘tree of heaven’ and ‘Kalpavriksha’; a tree that provides you with all necessities of life, due to their endless gifts to mankind. They  are considered to be a native of the bio-geographical region that includes Southeast Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia, and several Pacific Island groups. Determining the origin of coconut is not an easy task. Some claim it originates from the land of South America while fossil records from the island of New Zealand indicates the presence that fruits, that resembled small coconuts as long as 15 million years ago. This is probably due to its lightweight and buoyant feature, that makes it capable of floating over significant distances, even across countries,  through the water bodies without losing its ability to germinate,

Though the exact home of coconuts is still quite a mystery, mentions of coconut and its golden uses can be found in age-old recordings of archaeological excavations and in Sanskrit scriptures, singing hymns of praise of its health, religious and agricultural importance.

Coconuts in Indian food

In the Indian context, this fruit covered with fibrous husk carries more than just a handful of benefits. Now, centuries after its discovery, coconuts can be found in great use in almost all Indian houses, gracing the dining tables with its presence in a variety of Indian dishes.

States across India use fresh coconuts in their cuisine because of the additional crunch, sweetness and special fragrance that it brings to the table. One of the most popular Indian dishes made using coconuts is coconut rice which is served with different curries. Coconut rice is prepared by soaking boiled rice in coconut milk for some time and then immediately serving it.

Coconut is an integral part of South Indian cuisine. None of us are strangers to the finger-licking flavors of coconut chutney, a delicious food item that is accompanied by snacks such as idli, Mysore bajji and dosa in the states of Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, and is now also seen on the plates of other parts of the country.

When you think of coconut water, your mind would  travel away to the surreal beaches of India, surrounded by the peaceful sound of the crashing waves while you blissfully bask under the Sun with feet dipped in the sand. 

In addition to  vegetarian food items, this fruit even charms the appetizing quality of non-vegetarian dishes. A mild flavoured curry sauce made up of coconuts is often added to meat and seafood, tantalizes everyone’s taste buds with a variety of fresh flavours.

While talking about coconuts, it would be unfair not to mention its addition in desserts and sweet dishes across India. Modak, a sweet and soft dumpling that is made from wheat or rice is filled with finely grated flakes of coconuts to fulfill the cravings of every person with a sweet tooth.

Kupchi’s Fresh Grated Coconut

Grated coconuts are used in varied food items, from the appetizer to the dessert. At Kupchi, we meet your requirements for grated coconut without any hassles.

Our Fresh Grated Coconut is not just a product, it becomes a special member of your kitchen as it brings its irresistible taste in every food item it is used in, blending in like a perfect piece in a puzzle. Grating coconut every day is a tedious task in today’s hectic lifestyle and buying a packaged product might not suit your taste due to the use of preservatives. But with Kupchi’s freshly grated coconut, you don’t have to break a sweat about quality as it has been prepared with 100% coconut content and ensures you 100% freshness. We grow our coconuts with great care in the Namakkal District, on the banks of river Cauvery, so that you are provided with fresh coconuts with all the nutritious values still intact.

Conclusion

With a history that dates back to thousands of years, coconuts have always made its presence felt, whether as a symbol of prosperity, as an auspicious object of religious ceremonies, a useful item of handicraft, or an important ingredient for cooking. And even after so many years, its flavours still leave our stomachs growling for more, and we, at Kupchi, celebrate the golden heritage that this fruit has carried on with itself for ages.