Superfood on our doorstep

The Humble Coconut
The western world is finally discovering the health benefits of coconuts. On a warm summer’s day in New York it is not at all uncommon to see people meandering through the streets sipping a young Thai coconut, perfectly chilled to quench the city’s heat. Street vendors who once sold just a few coconuts are now selling 10 or more cases a day. Sales of bottled coconut water across the US have more than doubled in recent years, with a market share estimated at 20 Million Dollars.

What?
Coconut Water is the liquid from young green unripe coconuts. Inside these coconuts can be anywhere from 8-16oz of water. The meat, if any, is very thin and jelly like. This soft jelly meat is an excellent ingredient in smoothies and desserts, but is equally delicious eaten straight from the shell.

As the coconut matures the water turns into a harder meat and you end up with the brown coconut shells most people are familiar with in supermarkets. These mature coconuts with a thick, hard white meat are used to make coconut milk and oil. There is very little liquid left in these mature coconuts. The real health benefits come from the young coconuts.

In many health food stores around the country you will see white coconuts with a little point on one end. These are simply young coconuts usually from Thailand with the husk removed.

Coconut water is fat free and low calorie with a naturally sweet flavor.

Why?

Coconut water is a natural isotonic beverage filled with a multitude of immune system boosting vitamins, minerals and other health enhancing properties that have consequently made it a staple of islanders for millennia. This healthy electrolyte drink has potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and makes an excellent oral re-hydration beverage, replacing electrolytes lost from exercise, heat
stress and illness.

Some of the other many benefits include:

• Natural Boost to Immune System
• Improved Intestinal Health
• Increased Metabolism & Weight Loss
• Balancing of Body PH
• Detoxify anti-Virus
• Stops Fatigue
• Prevents Hypertension
• Controls Diabetes
• Aids in Circulation
• Reduces Cancer Risk
• Treats Kidney Stones
• Eases Stomach Pain & Vomiting

According to Mortin Satin, Chief of the United Nation’s Food & Agriculture
Organization, “Coconut water is the very stuff of nature, biologically pure, full of natural sugars, salts, and vitamins to ward off fatigue… and is the next wave of energy drinks BUT natural!”

It is also highly regarded as one of the best hangover cures!

How?

One of the many great things about being in Key West is that we are lucky enough to have this super food growing right in our back yards and there is nothing better than drinking a fresh coconut straight from the tree!

Take advantage of this powerful local food whether it be to rehydrate, cure your hangover or just to enjoy the refreshing taste and a myriad of health benefits. Another great reason to visit us in Key West!

Warning: Cutting open coconuts should be done with caution or left to the experts!

Help Yourself Organic Café carries fresh local coconut water or stop by the Monday Market between 11am and 5pm to drink one from the shell.

Take a look at our video where I demonstrate how we take the coconuts ‘From Tree to Table.’