The Sri Lankan Coconut tree... Truly the tree of life
The coconut tree has made Sri Lanka a particularly beautiful place. In Sri Lanka there are three varieties which are rather appropriately named the Dwarf, Tall and King variety. In general, a coconut tree can be found in many homes across Sri Lanka, especially in rural areas with their social and economic benefits being significant. The average Sri Lankan household (around 4 to 5 members) consumes about 6 coconuts a week, sometimes more. This makes having coconut trees planted an imperative to offset the cost of living for many in the community.
Trunk
The trunk of the tree rises to a height up to 30m ending in a compact crown of 30-40 large feather like leaves. Each leaf is about 3-4m in length and consists of a leaf stalk, a midrib and a large number of leaflets arranged in tow opposite rows. The leaflets near the base of the leaf as well as near the apex are much shorter and narrower than those near the middle.
Fruit
Each fruit has three coverings an outer shiny layer, the epicarp which is green to start with but becomes brown as the nut matures).
Inner to this is the husk, the mesocarp, which cushions the seed, acting like a spring which breaks the fall of the fruit. The husk is not damaged by salt water and the coconut can be carried to long distances by the sea because the coconut is adapted to floatation. Inside the husk is a hard woody shell, the endocarp.
Tovi Gifts use the endocarp which is often treated like a waste product to handcraft our beautiful coconut bowls! Truly an ecologically beneficial outcome of turning a waste product into a beautiful, functional and reusable product.
Yield
Coconut trees often produce their first fruit within six years and then go on producing for up to 80 years – they are a truly beneficial plantation crop. Within a coconut plantation many farmers also grow additional crops including ginger, turmeric, chilly, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon and clove.
Why is the Coconut tree called ‘the Tree of Life’
Life is scared and so is the Coconut tree for many people in tropical countries across the world. It is one of the few trees that are helpful as a whole. Each and every part of the coconut tree has some use and value – and Tovi Gifts is focusing on creating value in the least used and often discarded part – the coconut shell.
- Coconut Flesh/Kernel – Coconut flesh comes in the coconut fruit itself, which is the main crop from the tree. The coconut flash or kernel is a white, solid substance that is rich in fat. Many products are made from this delicious flesh including coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut flakes and desiccated coconut for your favourite dish.
- Water in the Coconut – Its delicious, refreshing, cholesterol free and low in calories. Coconut water is a natural super food and contains protein, vitamin c and electrolytes such as potassium, sodium and magnesium, all of which help to replenish lost nutrients.
- Coconut Husk – The outer cover of the coconut is a natural fiber used in many agricultural practices due to its natural water retention and absorbent properties. A lot of coconut husk in now processed into coir based grow bags, rope making and even making rugs.
- Coconut flowers – The coconut flower is a beautiful light yellowish in colour and it is from the flower than a coconut is grown. The coconut flower is used in traditional Sri Lankan ceremonies as a decorative flower including the famous ‘The PunKalasa’. It's considered as the sole symbol of prosperity. According to Buddhist culture, a full pot depicts fertility, prosperity and wealth. Punkalasa artistic sculptures are found on various archaeological digs around the country.
- Coconut Branches – A coconut tree contains around 15-20 branches surrounding the top and are ideal to thatch roofs of houses and buildings, providing natural ventilation. Whilst the hard stick in the middle of the branch as well as the leaves can be used to make a natural broom.
- Coconut tree trunk – Being tall and cylindrical the coconut tree trunk is a highly prized building material given its solid wood core. It is used in building homes, general construction work plus a lot of furniture is made from the wood.
- Coconut Shell – Often seen as a waste product or used to fuel a stove – Tovi Gifts takes this natural product to develop our range of coconut bowls.