Basilica de San Martin de Tours

Photo by Kat.
Basilica de San Martin de Tours. Taal, Batangas. September 2006.

Puno ng Buhay (Tree of Life)

Photo by owbEe.
Munting Buhangin. Nasugbu, Batangas. March 2007.

The Coconut Tree is probably the most useful tree in the world. It is considered to be “The Tree of Life” for the endless list of products and by-products you get from its parts.

The Philippines is considered to be the top producer of coconut in the world.

Here are some of the products you can get out of this coconut tree:

• Buko (young coconut) – used in making buko pie, buko juice, buko pandan.
• Niyog (mature coconut)
• Bukayo – a sweetened shredded coconut meat. To learn more about this panghimagas (dessert) click here.
• Nata de coco – a chewy, translucent, jelly-like food product produced by the bacterial fermentation of coconut water. “Nata de coco” comes from Spanish “Cream of Coconut.” Learn more…
• Latik – caramelized coconut milk with sugar. Learn more…
• Macapuno – sport coconut. Learn more…
• Gata (coconut milk) – a sweet, milky white cooking base derived from the meat of a mature coconut.
• Sorbetes – a uniquely Filipino-style ice cream. Learn more…
• Copra – dried coconut meat that has a high oil content. Learn more…
• Tuba – coconut toddy that has a stinging bittersweet taste. Learn more…
• Lambanog – wine made from coconut. A by-product of tuba. Learn more…
• Walis tingting – midrib broom. Photos…
• Bunot – dried half coconut shells with husks used to buff floors. Photos…

Do you know any other product aside from the ones that I’ve mentioned?