TToTT 02: The Coconut trees !

From tenderly helping us giving the tender coconuts, to hosting itself as a beautiful prop or a backdrop for our photo-shoots a coconut tree is never less to be a great companion! 

Thennai maram Thottam or Coconut tree farm.

Coconut trees, mostly grown in places like Indonesia, Philippines and India find various places in our day to day lives.

Ahmm...Without taking much of your time, let's move on towards its tale ;)
1. Thengai or Coconuts:
Do they need an introduction?! 
Coconuts are an integral part of every South Indian's diet, especially in places like Kerala where coconut trees are abundant.
It is also one of the major source of good cholestrol for our body.

Predominantly, everyday would start with 'Thengai Chutney' tossed with some mustard, curry leaves and red chillies fried in oil!

That can never ever match with today's Oats or whatever for breakfast!

Coconuts has it's own signature!

Trusted 

Coconuts. Source:PhotoSpeaks.

  2. Thengai Yennai or Coconut Oil:

Coconut Oil. Source:PhotoSpeaks.

Ever wondered how we get coconut oil? It's quiet simple. Initially, the coconuts are sun dried for atleast half a month.

Coconuts kept for sun drying. Source:Google.

After getting sun dried, the coconuts automatically detaches itself from its shell and this is called 'Copra Thengai'.

Copra Thengai. Source:Google.

Now they are taken to 'Chekku' mills to grind and viola! You get coconut oil!
Well, that's not easy as it sounds! You still have filteration processes awaiting.
So now practically think, we're extracting oil so it's quiet obvious that we'll have something(compressed flakes) left behind right? And that's called 'Thengai Punnakku', Don't put thappu kanaku! They are compressed coconuts. It's called as Coconut cake these days.

Thengai Punakku or Coconut cake. Source:Google.

So now who is using this? Cows! Its one among cow's favourite and its also like an energy drink for them- its mixed with water and served.

Agappai. Source:Google.

The coconut shell with little modifications is then made into 'Agappai' or coconut shell laddle, that is literally used as a laddle during cooking and serving.
When I googled for an agappai's picture, the above picture popped up at it was priced on Amazon for Rs.350 !
But then people used to make agappai at home itself! (Definitely only in villages during these days).

3. Coconut stem:

Tree's bark.

 What do people do with this?Uhm, not really chopping and throwing them off! Some of the villagers built their huts with this as a minor support. However it is not considered to be that strong. One other use is ofcourse using them as firewood for burning purposes. 
4. Ilaneer or Coconut Water:

Ilaneer or Coconut water. Source: PhotoSpeaks.

Our life saviour during summer! Not only that, the coconut water solves almost many problems that our body faces. The scariest fact is that, once upon a time things like this was not at all considered as commercial as now. They were prevailing everywhere. But now, a small sized Ilaneer is priced nearly at Rs.50 !
Apart from Ilaneer, we also get thengai vazhukku that is at a much younger stage and soft too.
5.Coconut Milk:

Thengai paal or coconut milk. Source: Goolge.

Another soothing element to add to our food and body! It is an awesome boon to our skin and cells. You, know instead of directly consuming them, we are using the readily available Coconut milk based soaps, supplements and what not! 
6. Thengai Naar or Coconut Coir fiber:

Thengai Naar or coconut coir fibre.Source:Google.

You might wonder, what this might do. It has a wide range of responsibilities bestowed on it!
It is the outer most fibrous shell of a coconut, that can be used to weave ropes,used in matresses and use as burning material. If you had felt it on your hands, you will be able to see the dust it throws.
7. Thengai Pith or Coir Peat:

Compressed coir pith block.

Coir Pith Brick.

After moisturising the coir pith.

Image Source: here
Okay, so this is the dust that I meant- Thennai Pith or Coco peat.
 The compressed form of dust when added with little moisture is said to be an excellent add on for the conventional soil that is currently used.
 One of the major advantage it gives is that, it relatively requires little water to cultivate. Through this, lack of water will not be a problem for cultivation and if done on a large scale, it will be very much useful for farmers.
8. Thennai Olai or Coconut Leaves:

A close up view of fresh thennai leaves. Source:Google.

Coconut leaves. Source: Google.

You know what! People make broom with this.Wondering how?

Once these leaves dry, the just fall by themselves and the leaflets are cut from the leaves.

The dry leaflets.source: Google.

You will then be able to spot a strong backbone like stick. All we'll have to do is to remove the flappy dry leaf to get the stick. Finally, you gather all of them and there our broom gets ready.

Coconut leaf based brooms. 

I ain't very sure if it'll interest you!

A cricket bat out of thennai pattai. source:Google.

During my childhood, one of my mama(maternal uncle) made a cricket bat with thennai pattai after which we did have a wonderful time playing :)  
Seriously! How can a tree even give soo much for all!
Blessed us!

It's your turn to play!
Try guessing that from which part of the coconut tree the bat in the above picture might be made from!
And do comment it below!
Following are some of the art works that I found online and are made from coconut shells.

Some of the coconut art that I found on Google.

A pendant made out of coconut shell. Source: Google.

Why am I saying this? What's the purpose of mentioning them all?
If you notice carefully, whatever you read till now, everything came from just 'one' tree. 

 Nature has sooo many things abundantly available for 'us'.
And here, there is technically no waste and you also get the most of a tree!
It is 'us' who should claim authority to use them just for 'our' own benifits in life!
I must have missed many other things that a Thennai Maram is capable of doing. Nature is that vast!
It's my duty, your duty, our duty to claim our authority towards a tree!

A gentle reminder for you to think about the best amongst the three trees!
Vazhaelai Quote:

Claim your tree, love it! Because it's waiting for you to come!

PS: Here's the link to my other posts.
Do give them a read!

PPS: Wondering what's TToTT?
you can know more here :)