Coconut History

Coconut Lore and Legend

The lore of the coconut is wide and varied, with it always portrayed as an item of great value.

In northern India, it is the fruit of the "Tree of Life," where coconuts are kept by priests to dispense as a fertility symbol to women who wish to conceive.

On the other hand, in Bali, women are forbidden to touch coconut palms for fear of draining the fertility of the tree into the woman.

In New Guinea, it is believed that the palm sprouted from the head of the first man to die.

On some South Pacific Islands, discs were carved from the hard shell to be used as currency.

More about Coconuts and Coconut Recipes:

• Coconut Selection and Storage
• Coconut Forms and Availability
• What is coconut milk? FAQ
• Coconut History
• Coconut Lore and Legends
• Coconut Cream Recipe
• Coconut Milk Recipe
• How to Toast Coconut
• Coconut Recipes
_{Coconuts Photo © 2007 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Cookbooks

•	Coconut Cookery
•	The Great Exotic Fruit Book
•	Coconut Lover's Cookbook
•	Nicole Routhier's Fruit Cookbook
•	More Cookbooks