ALSO KNOWN AS

Coconut, Gata

PERSONALITY

 The social butterfly

PERKS

Coconuts are one of the best sources of lauric acid — a protective type of fatty acid linked with lowering bad cholesterol (LDL), raising good cholesterol (HDL) and improving heart health. The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in coconut oil and coconut milk provide great energy without the carbs — MCT oil from coconuts is what’s used in Bulletproof coffee! The mighty coconut also helps you feel full; that’s why she’s perfect for intermittent fasting,  the popular diet craze that helped thousands of men and women lose weight quickly. 

This fruit, grown on the tropical “tree of life," also provides high levels of electrolytes to the bloodstream, prevents dehydration, revitalizes the digestive system, re-stimulates the brain, and is even anti-inflammatory, anti-anemia and anti-ulcer. 

All praise be to coconuts! 

USES

We call Niyog the social butterfly because of how well she gets along with everyone. Grate and squeeze the meat with hot water to make coconut milk (gata; there’s a first and second milking). Use gata in curries, soups, stews, and desserts. You can also use grated coconut flesh in bread, cookies, jams, desserts, and pretty much anything sweet. We like to reuse the hard coconut shells and make them into bao coconut bowls. Niyog really goes with everything and anything. Go nuts!